Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-11-24

is the same fertile eo the same o'ue sAJi "e ee "
let's and harbors. the same Egean, the same Olympus
there ia the same land where Homer sung, where Peri
ces spoke; is in nature the same old Greece but II
living Greece no more Applause Descendants OF the
same people inbab the country YET what tue reason
of this mighty differences In the midst OF present de-
graduation the glorious fragments Of ancen, works
of ar-tempes with ornaments and inscriptions that ex-
cite wonder and admraton-the remains oil once nigh
order of civilization which have outived the language
thew spoke-upon them all lchabod IS Written-thelr
glory has departed
hsen DESTROYED These were but the fruits Of their forms
of government the marix from which their grand de-
velopment sprung, and when once the institutions oil
people have been destroyed there Is no earthly power
that can bring back the Promethean spark to kinde
them here again, any in that ancient anu oil eo-
| ouence poetry and song Applause. The same may
he said of italy, Where is Rome the mistress Of
the world? There are the same seven hills now the
same SOIL the natural resources nature Is the same
but what ruin ofhuman greatness meets the eye oil the
traveller throughout the length and breadth oil that most
down trodden land Why have not the people OF that
Ueayen-avored cline the spirit that animated their faith
ersP WHY that sad derencS IL is the destruction Of
her institutions that has caused it, and, my countrymen,
If we SHALL in evil hour rasby pull down and destroy
those institutions which the patriotic band oil our fathers
abored so long and hard build up and which have
done 80 much for us and the world who venture the
prediction that similar results will not ensue: Let US
avoid il il we can trust the spirit is amongst us that
will enable do it, Let us not rashy try the expert
ment for if il fails il did in Greece and Italy and in
the South American Republic and in every other place,
wherever liberty is once destroyed 1t may never be
stored 10 us again. Applause
There are defects in government, errors IN admin
istration and shortcomings OF many kinds but IN spite
of these defects aud Georgia has grown to be
| great State Let us pause here a moment In 1880
there was great crisis but not fearful this for of
all have ever passed through this is the most perOus
and requires to be with the greatest calmness and
| elaboration
There we're many among US in 1850 jealous to go at
once of the Union to disrupt every tie that binds us
\ together. Now do you believe, bad that policy been
carried out at that time would been the great
people that we to-day IL may be that We would,
but have you any assurance of that fact? Would we
| have made the advancement, improvement aud
progress in all that constitutes material wealth aud pros
| perty that We have?
notice in the Comptroller Generals report that the
taxable property OF Georgia is 1910 900 OO0 and up
wards an amount far from double that IL in 1850
think may to say that for the last 10 years
the material wealth of the people of Georgia has been
nearly il not quite doubled. The may be said Of
our advance in education and everything that marks
civilization. Have any assurance that had We regard
ed the earnest but misguided patriotic advice, as think
OF Of that day. and disrupted the ties which bind
US to the Union would have advanced as we have
think not. Well then let us be careful now before we
attempt any rash experiment OF this sort. know that
there are friends whose patriotism do not intend to
question: who think this Union curse and that would
be better Of without it, do not so think If we can
bring about correction Of these evils which threaten
and am not without hope that this may yet be done
this appeal 20 with all the provisions for good that
accompany it. look upon great, and fear fatal
temptation.
When look around and see our prosperity in every
thing-agicuture, commerce, art science, and every
department of education, physical and mental well as
moral advancement and colleges think in the face
| tftnn aNx Will NhA nj
power or any essential right interest remain in the
Union it is duty to ourselves and to postery to
let not too readily yield TO this empation-do so.
Our first parents, the great progenors OF the human
race were not without like temptation when in the
garden of Eden. They led TO believe that their
condition would be betered-hat their eyes would be
opened-and that they would become gods They in
an evil hour yielded-iustead OF becoming gois they
only saw their own nakednesS
look upon this country, with institutions the
Eden of the world the paradise Of the universe. il may
be that out OF it may become greater and more pros
porous but candid and sincere in telling you that
fear if rshly evince passion and without sufficient
shall take that step, that instead Of becoming
greater peaceful, prosperous aud happy-nsead
Of becoming gods, we will become demons and at no
distant day commence cutting one anothers throats.-
This Is my apprehension. Let u.s. therefore, whatever
do meet these difficulties great they are, like wise
and sensible men, and consider them in the light of all
the consequences which may attend action. Let
we may not fear TO tread therein.
come now to the main question put to me, and on
which my counsel has been asked. That is, what the
present Legislature should do in view Of the dangers
that threaten u.s. and the wrongs that have been done
by several of confederate States in the Union by the
acts of their Legislatures multiplying the Fugitive Slave
Law and in direct disregard Of their constitutional obi
cations. What shall say will not be in the spirit Of dc
tation Il will be simply my judgment for what it
is worth 1t proceeds from strong conviction that ac-
cording to rights interests and honor our present
safety and fu security can be maintained without yet
looking to the last resort the "ultimd ratio regu."-
That should not be looked until all else fails That
may come On this point am hopeful but not sanguine.
But let us every patriotic effort to prevent it while
there il ground for hope.
If any view that may present, in your Judgment be
inconsistent with the best interest Of Georgia. ask you
Gs pa riots not to regard L. After hearing and others
whom you have advised with, act in the premises
cordrg to your own conviction Of duty as patriots.
speak particularly TO the members Of the Legislature
present. There are as have said great dlngers ahead
Great dangers may from the election spoken Of. If
the policy Of Mr. Lincoln aud his Republican associates
shall be carried out, or attempted 10 be carried out
man in Georgia will be willing ready than my
self TO defend our rights interest and honor at every
hazard and to the last extremity. (Applause.)
What is this policy? /. is in the first place to
cluie US by an of Congress from the Territories with
our slave property He is for using the power Of the
General Government against the extension OF our nsu
Our position on TINS point ~ auu ought
all hazards for perfect equality between all the States and
the citizus OF all the States in the Territories under
the Constitution of the United States. II Congress
should exercise its power against this then | am for
standing where Georgia planted herself in 1850. These
we're plain propositions which then laid down in her
celebrated Platform sufficient for the disruption Of the
Uoou should the occasion come on these Georgia
has declared that she will 90 out Of the Union aud for
these she would be justified by the nations Of the earth
in SO doing. say the same said II then say il now
If Mr. Liucou's policy should be carried out. have
told you that do not think his bare election sui-
,ient cause but If his policy should be carried out 10
violation Of any of the principles set forth in the GeOr
ga Platform that would be such act OF aggression
which ought TO be met therein provided for. IL his
policy shall be carried out 10 repeating or modifying the
Fugitive Slave Law TO weaken its efficacy Georgia
has declared that she will in the last disrupt the
ties Of the Union, aud say too. stand upon the
Georgia platform, ard upon every plank and say il these
agcresous herein provided for take place, say to you
and to the people of Georgia. keep your powder dry and
let your ass,ilants then have lead il need be. APP
pause | would wait for an act Of aggression This is
my position.
Now upon another point, and that the most difficult
and deserving your most serious consideration, | will
speak. That is the which this State should puT
sue towards those Northern States which by their Legs
ative acts have attempted 10 nullify the Fugitive Slave
Law | know that in Of these States their acts
pretended TO be based upon the principle Set forth in the
decision OF the Supreme Court Of the United States in
the case Prigg against Pennsylvania that decision did
proclaim the doctrine that the State officers are not
bound to curry the provisions of law Of Congress
tina. the Federal Government cannot Impose duties upon
State ofcialsthst they must their own laws by
their own officers. And this may be true. But still il
ia the duty of the States deliver fugitive slaves well
as the duty Of the General Government to that it is
done.
Northern States, entering into the Federal Compact
pledged themselves surrender such fugyes aud is
ia disregard Of their constitutional obligations that they
have passed laws which even tend hinder imbibe