Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-03-29

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We made mention, &iew days ago, Of the
fact that the hon. F. P. srAxrox bad ealissed
in the repabsicsn cause in Consistent The
fclIo~ing extract from onesd is speeshes
diseloses q radical change in his opinions on
the subject OF slavery. Once an intense pro
slavery politician, be is now as thoroughly
anii-slsvery. He is about as honest now as
he ever was-equaiiy as honest as any South
ern poll ieisn who il in Abe habit of sgitsting
slavery ie-ues. Perronal and party aggras-
dizement lie the motive of them all and their
opinions take the hue of the ssction they
dwsli 10. We would not give one OF Jere-
nliah'sscur 6es for the whole race Of them.
. The Republican party had become the rsp-
resentztive of free society, which Souiheru
people pronounced a failure. (Applsuse.)
BE had DOT the prejudiees Of most against
the slave institution. He thought The Seuth
perfectly justified in retaining slavery under
their present circumstances He Thought bis
Audience in the same circumstances. in con-
| tact with the same number Of Africans.
| would. no doubt. bold them in subordination.
But be- believed that The South should am~l-
ioraie the condition. Of the slaves, and aban-
| don the idea that slavery mnst be perpetual
IL the slaves were 10 b. free in some future
grnrraiions they euabt TO be gradually i'm
proved for state OF freedom. (Applause-l
The Southern negro was different from the
Northern. They were half civilized. IDcspa-
bic ol taking care of themselves. and TO turn
them loose would be the greatest calamity
that could befailthe North and South. All
the white races OF Europe and Asia have been
| slaves. The condition of slavery has been
universal ct some period, and at certain
point OF progress slavery il natural. When
mixing this remark upon one OCCASION, be
had been accused Of calling slavery Divine
institution. he said no such thing. He made.
| the simple generalization that all he white
races at rome period had established slavery.
But slavery disappears before progress. Its
disappearance Is equally natural, FIR liberty
is aI-o natural in certain stage of develop
ment. Noihing can prevent the emancipa-
ton of Southern slaves but the inter mkt ure
OF additional Africans to keep the blacks
savage and degraded. (Applanse.) In this
contest, though he was willing tn concede
Southern righie. be felt that the Republican,
party representing free institutions as against
slave institutions. demanded bis Endorsement,
because of the two be though freedom the
better. (Applause.) 1t was impossible 20
avoid this conflict. Ideas and principle are
| infexible. and cannot be aEnibilat'd. TWAS
utterly impossible to avoid conflict between
the free and slave systems. re .a.ef 81
He accepted the fact that existed 10 the
nature of things, that opposite ideas would
conflict until the truth should prevail This
conflict should not be an angry. violent and
dangerous one. ovcrtbrowing the peace of
the government. tApplauss)
a-assE - Fl
While he believed that were the two sec
! lions of the Confedrrncy separate. wars might.
arise between them. cur plan Of union was
such as to prevent such strife. Although.
such difference among nations OF Europe
might create bloodsh.d. such cuntingency
was prevented by the tics Of common bro
tberhood- between the North and the SoaTh.
II any conflict Of arms should come, it would
be in the territories or on account OF them.
lie JeiieUed that The only peoceoble and legitimate so
l,ltion Of the question would Be through the peope
of ke trTEoT,es htmselres. lie held IT 10 be de-
nlonarabie that future State could eur osk 10
enter the Union as sloueholdng STATE. provsded
the people sure alosred 10 regulate their AFFAIR.".
Well had Mr. Seward said. 'The battle has
been already fought. and the victory won-n