The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-08-15
From the Fayetteville Observer.
AN UNANSWERABLE ARGUMENT.

speech at Macon, Georgia. some days siHce,
by Hon. B. III. Hill Of that State. Mr.. Hill
sets out with the proposition that the whole
uation 10 now called on, tor the first time IN
its history, to decide at the ballot box phds
poger has the General Government over the
subject of slavery, Fhis question has often
been voted on in Congress. in State Legs
latures. and by factions. but now the whole
nation must vote upon it directly at the bal
lot box. Whatever may be our opinions as
to the ,sisdos or necessity, or good or evil
to result from such an issue. still politicians
and events have Murst it upon US. and we
must decide il, as far as the ballot boa can
decide Il.
This being the issue. the people ought, as
national men and patriots. by this election
10 declare that the Federal Government !" has
no power over the subject Of slavery, except
the power, coupled with the duty, Of guard
ing and protecting the owner in his rights"
They should do this first, because il is ia,c /;
next, because il is right. Arguing these
propositions ably and clearly, he passes to
the consideration of the question: for whom
shall we vote to secure must elfectually the
triumph Of right? Mr.. Lincoln and Mr..
Douglas he looks upon as out Of the question
with Us. We, at the South, must choose be-
tween Mr.. Bell and Mr.. Breckenridge. He
is willing to support that one whose election
would most effectually secure the triumph
we seek. lie then enters upon an unanswer-
able argument in behalf Of the soundness OF
Mr.. Bell on the question Of Southern rights,
aud in proof Of the duty Of all patriotic and
intelligent Southern men to support his cleo.
ton. Mr.. Bells platform. he said. Is the
Constitution. the Union, and the Laws. Tu
know how he interprets the Constitution,
and what laws he will enforce, we must 90
to his record III his record fails. then be
and his platform must fail. Ii his record is
sound, il gives meaning TO hi. platform and
strength to him. 10 this record he refers
Us in his letter Of acceptance. and to the re.
cord let US go. Mr.. Hill thus proceeds:
NV FIRST proposition, and which shall es'
tablsh without doubt, is. that John Bell i;
as sound as the platform on which Mr.. Breck
inridge is nominated.
, THIS platform contains three distinct pro
! positions:
n |. ThIt Congress has no power to abolish
slavery in the Territories.
That the Territorial Legislature has NJ
such power.
3. That. on the contrary. il is the duty q
the Government to protect property (sla,er,
understood) wherever necessary.
I These are three sound propositions. an,
cover the whole ground Of power and duty.
I About the 5th day of June, 1880, Mr. Sc
!, ward Of New York, offered the following a,
' an amendment to the COMPROMISE measure;
!, in the Senate:
: Seither slavery nor iayolantary servi
rude, otherwise than by the conviction fU
i, crime. shall ever be allowed in either Of sait
Territories OF Utah and New Mexico
RI This is the Wllmot ProYisO, John Bel
/. voted no, and thus endorsed. IN Ter OATH, tit
= first proposition Of the Bteckinridge plat
4 form.
r On the same dav. Mr.. Berrirn -tt1t grea
! man-from Georgia. offered the folIowip;
d. amendment.
with the primary disposal Of The soil. no
establishing or prohibiting African slavery.
This was against Slustter Sovereignty
: John Bell voted yes. and thus endorsed tb
4 second proposition Of the Breckinridg" plat
A form.
On the 18th Of NAV, Of the sane year, Mr
!, Pratt, Of Maryland. and VI. Davis, Of Mi.
= sissippi, agreed upm, an Mr.. DAVIS offered
: the following amendment {, the sane bill:
"ProYided that nothing herein contained
\ shall be construed 50 as to prevent SAID Ter
ritorial Legislature from passing sa-i lar
as my be nseessayy for The protection Of IL
rights Of property Of every kigd which ma
have been or NAV b. hereafter. cnninfmalI
' 10 the Constitution and laws u the Tniie
: States. held 10, or introduced lntu SAID Fer
i rltpry."
i Mr.. Davis alsp prefaced this proviso wit
some remarks, declaring his o iect u be I
Il assert the duty OF the Government ttproiec
4 slavery.
K On this prnyisa VIZ. Bell yaiel yss. thu
e asserting. under ol,h, the duty 81 pr,tecti'
u when necessary. III the very language Of u,
y Breckinridge platform.
! For Mr. ID tyis's praviso. see Cunsressip,a
b GIobe. vol. 81, part 2. page AVA. FOR al
;. the votes, see sane book, pig" llji. flirre
: fore, TO an actual demonstration, Mr. Bill
J certainly a, sound a. the Breesinridse pla,
J. tsrm.
y Nv mex. proposition is. that NJ. Bell
;. so,misr than this platform. Nov a. III
- prspf:
10 THIS platform, Of course, says no,Lin
D. about slavery asa political. mpral. or spcia
. good or evil. hnr dprs thst platform s..er
$. any gooi in slavery to the country, or a
e contributing to its prosperity.
4 But on the 9th day d July, 1857. in b
:. place in the senate, Mr. Bell made a speecl
~ which, after asserting the right To protec
tim TO be constitutional and "unquestion
I, able" he proceeds 70 give his views Q
= slavery itself. 4 better argumsn, Ia. ncv,
~ been made in defence Of slavery. lie prove
3 Il right BY the laws Of nature and Of Go,
Y, anil 4 political. moral. social and religion
Z, good. I beg every man in The South 10 e
y !, away from demagagues and plrty--at dow
4. with pure and houest heart, and read Tia
speech beforc he votes against Mr.. BELL. d
- :, .tultifes himself by calling him unsouud