New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-11-10
SPEECH OF SENATOR CHESNUT OF SOUTH
CAROLINA.

SPEECH OF SENATOR CHESNUT or SOUTH
CAROLINA.
At the demonstration at the Capital of South Caro-
lima, on the evening preceding the election, the Hon.
James Chestnut United States Senator, made the fol-
Lowing speech:
He thanked them for the cordially with which shey
had received him. Often he had spoken as represen,
sometimes in primary assemblies, but algays with she
earnesness and conviction which became an honest
and patriot, but never had he spoken 10 the ear
of his counlryDen with that deep sense OF the o6gG'
tons which now pre- ssed upon him. II he did not
speak to them with that exaltation Of feeling which
uncouded hope and undoubted prosperity alone can
inspire be trusted that he would be far very far from
addressing Them under the influence of an unmanly
despair Before the setting Of tOmorrows sun, IN
all human probability the destiny Of this coniederated
Republic would be decided. He solem0ly thought,
in all human probability, that the Republican party
of this country would triumph in the election of
Lincoln as President In that event, the lines
of our enemies seem to be closing around us,
but they must DO broken. They might see in the
hu red paths of these starchsd men of eery the fu-
neral coItege of the Constitution OF the country Peacs,
hope independence liberty, power, and the prosperity
of sovereign States ay be draped chief mourners,
still in the Of this procession there is the light OF
the glorious past, from which they might rekndle the
dyii blaze of their own affairs. We see it all-kno W
it sliofe.l it all and with Heavens help we will inset
it all. 1t was evident we had arrived at the initial
point of a departure. We ha 'e two ways before
us, in of which, whether we will or not we must
treed for in the event of this ssue there would bs
reposs In both lie dangers, difficulties and troubles,
Wi ich human foresight can foreshadow or perceive,
but they not equal in magntr de. One is beet
with humiliation, dsbonor, emeutes, rebelli0ns, with
eubmisson in the beg inning TO ALL and at all times,
ADD confise alton and Slavery 10 the end. The
other it is true has its difficulties and its trials,
but no difgrace. Hope, duty, and honor shine
alor the path. Hope beckons you at the end. BET
deridipg, consider well the ancient ID sacred maxim
"Ssnd upon the ancient wsy-see which is the right,
g cd way, and walk in it" He then referred TO the
fe aress conduct Of the American Colonies eighty live
wears ego when the British undertook to bind them
dow withou, their coDs, mt tbs authority of the
British Constitution. All knew the result. Thirteen
free and indepel dent States ushered into tue
(. rily Of nations He alluded TO the insignificant
of hat Revolution compared with the Issue now be-
fore the country. That issue nov was: Shall New
K glsDc ers-svowed enemies, without the Consdtu-
ton, without their cobseDt-bind Carolina aud de-
terniDe for the people in all cases whatsoever
ICries of "neyer," "neyer." Or shal Caro-
lima be governed by Carollni ans [Cri.s of eyes"
gel This covered all questions which now
press for immediate solution That it Is the
sett ed purpose Of the Northern States and will of
CoDgre under rule of the Black Republican party
govern Them in all Whatsoever in violation of the
Constitution and without their cons nt apparent
from The past conduct in their mu form claims,
CANT pretensoLs and avowed intention. For forty
years under the formation of societies they have
tDued sgate to disturb the peace and endapgsr the
lives Of Southern people. They had broken their oahs
undeJ the Consti utiop atd the plighted faith made
therein By seducipQ and keeping Southern property
had pass ed la VS. making it criminal in their own c
zens do that which the Constitution ions duty
Deep solicitude was felt here aud thIoughou. South
Carolina as to the great and important events now
tran spring, and he came among them to meet their
agei Is AZ contribute his humble mite in the way of
council and to take his share of the responsibility
which every public man in South Carolina should be
prepared 10 do. lie spoke of the election of Black
Republican Speaker of The Democratic party TO rend
asunder which the true had been separated from
the untrue. South Carolina supported Breckenridge
and Lane with few true of the North who
star d oy her eide. But the question now was would
the South submit TO a Black Republican President
and Black Republican Congress, whish will claim the
hight TO the Orsttution Of the country aud
administer the Government in their hands not by
Il law Of the instrument ITSELF nor by those fathers Of
the country, by the practices OF those administered
20 y.ars ego but by rules drawn from their own blind
cobscencts and crazy brain They call us interiors
semi-cvz, ba,baIlans and claim the right TO posse
lands and to sye them TO the desttute of the Old
Wof0 and the prof gates OF THE They claim the dogmas
OF h Const uon part of the Declaration of Inde-
pei del CO. part Of the Constitution end that is their
right and cuty administer the Government to
give full effect to them. The people must choose
whether they would be governed by enemies govern
then Sc Ives. For himself he would unfur the Pal.
meito flag fling to the breeze, and with the spirit Of
brave man determine TO live and die as became
glorious ancestors, and ring the clarion notes of deli
snce in the OF nsolsnt foe He then spoke of
the updCubted right to withdraw their delegated pow
ers, and il was their duty in the event contsm plated
TO withdraw them. 1t was their only safety Mr.. G.
favored separae State action, saying the rest would
focA TO our Standard. They should be Just to them
seyes Just TO thu geat in hand ust to postsriy,
ard the God Of Justice would stand by their sdeperi
ALL spd trust in d. In past times their affairs had
been the affairs of ll.erdered and enlightened lib
ery; it beloved the to rescre their land from the
retn So f 9, put aside all miuor consequences and
solve upon the great event. and if true strike for their
affairs and their resdes. Strike for the ge,n graves
" Of your sires, God and your native land"
A HISTORICAL "REMINISCENCES.
In,.U