The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1860-07-27
SPEECH OF THE HON. W. P MILES

Among the able and eloquent speeches deliv-
cred at the Charleston Ratification Meeting,
which endorsed tho nominations Of BREcKIN-
RIDGE and LANE, was that of Hon. w. =. MILES,
tho Distinguished representative in Congress
from that District
MIR. MILES approved the Resolutions of the
meeting, and endorsed the course of tho dele.
CATION to Richmond. The whole question Of
Convention" or "Anti- Convention" was a
past issue, and should no longor divide us al
home, aud he recommended cordial cooper
alton in the support -ol BREcKINRIpGE and
LANE the best mode of securing our just
rights in tho Union.
He discusses OF length the great issues which
now divideSthe North and South. and distract
the Democratic party. The "Wmot Proviso"
and "Popular Sovereignty" are shown to be
equally unconstitutional, and equally inmical
to the best interests of the South. A moro
baseloss assumption than the Territorial Sover.
eighty doctrine Of Judge DOUGLAS could scarce.
ly be found-one so totally unsupported by the
Constitution, or by just construction Of the
Kansas. Nebraska Act
On the other hand, the rights of Congress.
sional protection of slave property in the Ter
rtories is clearly guaranteed by the Constitu-
tion, and has always been contended for by
Southern Statesmen.
With regard to the prospects of the Demoera
cy. he does uot despair; but in case of it's de-
feat. and the triumph of Black Republicanism,
he is prepared to stand by the side Of Gen. Mo
QUEEN, Mr.. KEIrr, Gen. BoNuAM. Mr. BoYcE
and others, in counselling resistance.
The folio wing is his language:
must very frankly say, that TO mo the
issue seems doubtful. But do not consider il
desperate. l believe that such leaders MS
Breckinrdge and Lane are more likely to lead
us to victory ov er the enemy than any others
that could have been chosen. There are va
rious reasons. which it is needless to particular
ize, why this should be so. But it is in the
character of these gentleman themsclves-as
individual men-that very much oftheir siren
9Th lies They are sure, upright, brave and
independent. They command the respect and
confidence of all know them both person
ally: Mr.. Breckinridge is frank, gallant.
genial md true heartedfman. lie possesses
clear and vigorous intelect-admrnble judg-
ment great strength of will-with a.pecularly
engaging and courteous yet manly manner.
lie Is still quite a.young man-the youngest
ever put i'll nomination for the Presidency.
This consder-in one of his solid, we'll
halanc. d character-a decided advantage. We
might expect, in the event of his election,
bold, firm and energetic administration. He
would do away. as far as practicable, with
red-tnpe ism," audthe decentralization office"
system. There would be no "ol1fogyism"
about him. His political opinions are too fa-
miliar to the country to require me TO say nny-
thing concerning them. His Frankfort speech
delivered last December. just after his election
to the Senate of the United States, has beer
widely circulated. and shows his soundness on
the great Question of the day. His accept
ance of the nomination on the platform adopt.
ed by the seeding Southern States Mt Rich.
monJ, proves that he is with us heart and soul
and worthy to bear the banner of the South.
Gen. Lane is an honest. staunch soldier; a
man without guile or deceit; Of n large heart
and generous nature: all uncornrromising
friend Of States Rights and the Constitutional
equality of all sections.
With such leaders, We can 60 with brave
hearts into the conflict. The South can follow
:hem to battle, knowing that there will be no
base retreat from the vantage ground of prIn-
ciple-no ignoble surrender Of her rghts-no
disgraceful betrayal Of her cause.
If in the coming contest with Black Repub.
licansm and sectional domination victory
should perch upon the banners OF Breckin-
ridge and Lane, there is n chance for at least
temporary respite from freesoii agitation The
wave of anti slavery hostility may be tempo
rarily stayed. But what if they are defeated,
and Lincoln and his "irrepressiLle conflict"
elected to rule over us3 What thcn2 South
Carolnians, what then2 Will you allow
sectional, fanatIcal party, whose creed il ha-
tired Of the South-the only cement Of whose
heterogeneous mass is animosity to slnvehol-
ders-will you suffer such party-such men
to establish their dynasty over you Will you
thus allow the old Palmetto State to be de.
graded from her position the equal Of every
other Stute in the Confederacy2 Ifso. l would
say to you; Forget Fort Moultrie forget
Kings Mountain; forget Eutaw-the giories Of
which my friend has so eloguently portrayed;
for their memory will be burning weight in
your hearts, and will cover the faces of your
women with the mantle Of shame!
/ am very chsry Of seeing the South pass
resolutions" They accomplish nothing. Ere
quently mean nothing. in truth, have come
to be recorded very much like the cry of
"wolfl" Let US "resolpe'' less and do mora l
am sick at heart Of the endless talk and b!us-
ter of the South If we are in earnest, let US
act. Above oil. I am weary of these eternal
! attempts to hold out the olive branch. when
we ought rather to he preparing to grasp the
sword.
But why should say morei The question
is with you. 1t is for you 10 decidc-you, the
descendants of the men Of 76-the country
men of the men who helped to frame the Con.
stitution-of the men who moro than once, on
mere questions of abstract tight" held out
to the North the alternative. .fhesequal rights
of South Carolina or no Union :" It is for You
to decide whether you will be "G4ptent to live
under Government in which'you would be
nolonger equals, but subjugatsd vnssalsi
:. EDWARD EVERETT