Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-02-03

oil those noble spirits who have vcnturcd to
stem the torrent of prejudice and fanaticism.
But their efforts have proved vain. They cam
not fail to be vain, because they give mp tho
citadel to the enemy. Even the president of
the Boston meeting declares that not an inch
more is to be yielded to the extension Of slave
~. Every speaker. save one (and that one |
honor for his patriotic firmness and sagacity-
Mr.. OConcr Of New York; admits the just
ness of the Northern condemnation Of slavery.
This germ contains the logical sequences which
tic North have followed out into action. There
can be no peace until they either change their
opinions. or cease from taking any cognlzance
whatsoever of slavery. They must respect ii
as they would marriage, parental authority, or
any other legitimate institution OF q sister State;
and until our defenders take this position, they
build upon the sands.
But why waste our time in Surm!se, when
realities are thrust openly before us? Can any
one mistake the roaring of the storm at Wash
ingtou Has the column Of the Republican
party there shown any sign Of wavering? Was
ever such n spectacle presented to this country
before? There are plainly exhibited the dire
results of this array of scctions-and there, in
that conflict for the mastery, is forcshadowed
that TCal CulIllCL DclN ccI lIC ~ w ""hNi'
we are soon to be summoned.
Will YOU undertake that conflict singllv, on
shall we act in concert? That is the great
question which I am commissioned TO ask. In
lS47, and again in 1910, your Judgment pro-
nounccd in favor of concerted action" We
have adopted your judgmert-and We come
now to propose the conference. From the Fed
cral Government, as it stands, VIC can expect
.a,h,,nr Ero,,, tlo No,tl,or, CIotn. .pn tn,.n
been repealed with denunciation. Our only re.
source, then, is in ourselves; and among our
selves union is strength.
The great and leading arsnmcnt in favor Of
4 conference is, that it is the proper step in
any contingency. 1t is a measure which will
preserve the Union, if it can constitutionally
he preserved; and If it cannot, it is the proper
preparatory step for Southern defence. Those
who desire the maintenance ofthe Union must
perceive that nothing is morelikely to drive back
the aggressions Of the North, and 10 restore to
US our rights, than the exhibition Of a united
and determined purpose of resistance. And
those who believe that the Union cannot be
preserved, will equally perceive that & South.
ern conference is q necessary step to effective
Southern defence. This measure ought. there.
fore, to unite all parties, excepting alone that
Ill tuerc pc any SuCil) WHICH llSUIS uncOntu-
tional submission.
And what shall be the advice which may
reasonably be expected from such a conferences
Certainly they will require Il restoration Of the
Constitution and the perfect equality Of the
Southern States. Conld any measure be more
likely to effect this result than the united de-.
mand Of the whole South? Say to the North.
repeal at once all your enactments against the
just rendition Of our slaves; break up your I'M
foreground railroads; perform towards us your
constitutional obligations; and restore 10 US all
those right. which the comfy of nations as
we'll as the Federal Constitution guarantee to
us. We insist that nations bound to each other
as we arc, cannot agitatc and form societies to
impair the institutions recognized by the laws
Of either, and we demand the immediate sup
preston of such societies, and the return Of
tranquility to our borders. IF we are to re-
main united, VIC must no longer have our pro-
perty stolen from us, and the thieves and stolen
property protected by your laws; neither will
we hear ourselves denounced as criminals and
evil doors while obeying our own laws. Surely
the South may unite in declaring anew her bill
Of rights, and it is not yet reasonable to add
that She must have equality in tho Onion, or
she will seek independence out of it.
1t is obvious to every one, that If it he posi-
BILE to procure these demands, and to remain in
the Union, the united voice Of the whole South
is the only likely mode Of e~fEecting it: and if
there be Il more forbcaring party still, who de-
sire to try in the Union measures Of retaliation
and non.intercourse or others who hope to
prevail upon the North to give us new guaran-
tees by amendments Of the Constitution Of the
United States, a conference Of the South offers
the best mode of carrying ont their Plans
The wisest and best men Of the South will be
brought together to consider them, and the
wisest and best measures may reasonably be cX-
pected.
would be wanting in the frankness and can
dor due to this august assemblage, if / did not
plainly declare the opinions which we enter
tain in South Carolina. We have no confidence
in any paper guarantces-neithcr do we believe
that any measures Of restriction or retaliation
within the present Union will avail. But with
equal franknes we declare that when VIC pro-
pose q conference, we do SO with the full uD-
Outstanding that we are but oneot the States
in that conference, entitled like all the others
to express our opinions. but willing to respect
and abide by the united judgment Of the whole.
If our pace be too fast for some, we arc content
to walk slower; our earnest wish Is that all
may keep together. We cannot consent to
stand still, but would gladly make common
cause with all. We are far from expecting; or
desiring to dictate or lead.
There are, indeed, material guarantees which
Southern statesmen have proposed, and which,
if added to the Constitution, might restore to
the South its equality in the Union. Among
these may be mentioned Mr.. Calhoun's sugges-
ton of a dual executive; and although attempts
have been made to detract from this suggestion
as impracticable, it may be answered, that the
Roman Republic, with its two ~conSuls, so far
from proving an impracticable Government.
lasted 900 years, and under this dua! executive
conquered the world.
Another suggestion has been offered, OF d.
yidinc the Senate into two sectional classes,
and requiring 4 concurrence upon all sectional
questions, somewhat after the plan established
in the conventions Of the Episcopal church OF
America. This plan has the advantage of ac-
tual existence in our midst
The Governor Of this State has proposed that
a Convention of the United States should he
called to determine whether amendments may
not be made to the Constitution 10 save the
Union; and if they cannot, then that such d.
vision be made of the government property as
would tend to n. peaceful and just arrangement.
Such a measure would most naturally and
properly be preceded by = Southern conference
to agree beforehand upon such amendments as
should be proposed, and such demands as
should be made by the South. If such ahody
sbo,,ld ever meet, it would be indeed %uniortu-
nate for the South to enter 1t with divided
c~ounsels.
JInouestionablv the South is entitled to de-
mand, as already stated, an equal share OF the
of the Union; and the rcpeal oil all
laws obstructing the return of fugitive slaves;
and It wou,d seem to be equally unqucstionablc
that she has a right 10 demand the disbandlng
Of every society which is agitating the North
crn mind against Southern institutions. These
With n surrender of the power TO amend the
Constitution Of the United States in regard to
slavery, would be proper subjects for the con;
sidcration of q Southern conference, and would
all CONF within the purvicw OF the measure re-