Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-12-15

cause the fugitveslave law is rendered nullity by
the action Of mobs Independently of this State legs
lation; and it. in addition, the marshals should be
abolitoniSts there would be the less need of such
State legislation
The President has said that there ought to be
new constitutional guarantees. | do not see no"
any Southern man can make propositions We
have petitioned and demonstrated for the last ten
years and to no purpose lf gentlemen on the 9th,
er side have nything to propose OF decisive and
satisfactory character, have donbt the section
from which come would be willing to hear II. 1
say to those gentlemen in perfect ranknesS that IN
my judgment, not only will number of States Sc
cede in the next sixty days but some of the other
States are holding merely to see if proper guaran-
tees can be obtained. We have in North Carolina
only two considerable parties The absolute sub
missionistS are too small to be called party; but
the mass of the people consist of those who are for
immediate action, and those who are waiting for q
few months to see whether any guarantees will he
proposed that are sufficient to save our honor and
insure safety.
| give the opinion-gentlemen may take 1t for
what it is worth-that unless something of that
kind occurs you will see most OF the Southern States
in motion at an early day; and without undertaking
to advise, say that, unless some comprehensive
plan of that kind be adopted which shall be perfect
~ satisfactory, in my Judgment the wlSeSt thing
this Congress can do would be to divide the public
say strand events in the course of few months
will determine whether | am right or not-in my
Judgment unless the decided constitutional guaran-
tees obtained at early day. it will be best for
all sections that peaceabe division OF the public
property should take place
know there are intimations that suffering Will
fall upon us in the South, if we secede. My peo-
pie are not terrified by any such considerations.
They have been covered, not by cowardce but by
a very strong attachment to the Union. They haye
no fears of the future if driven to rely on them
selves. The Southern States have more territory
than all the colonies had when they seeded from
Great Britain, and better territory. Taking It's
position, climate and fertility into consideration
there is not upon earth body of territory superior
to it. Everybody knows it would support a popu-
Luton of three hundred millions if it were as dense
" settled as parts of Europe, that from personal
observation know not to he superior to it. The
Southern States have too, at this day, four times
the population the colonies had when they seeded
from Great Britain. Their exports to the North
and to foreign countries WERE last year. more than
three hundred million dollars; and duty of ten
per cent. upon the same amount of imports would
give 100000 of revenue-twice as much as
General JacksOn's administration spent in its first
year. Everybody can see, too, how the bringing in
of $500 600 000 Of imports into the southern ports
would enliven business in seaport towns.
have seen, with some satisfaction also, Mr.. PrcSi
dent, that the war made upon has benefited GER
tain branches of industry in my State There are
manufacturing establishments in North Carolina,
the proprietors of which tell me that they are ma
king fifty per cent annually on their whole capital,
and yet cannot supply onetenth of the demands for
their productions. The result Of only ten per cent.
duties in excluding products from abroad, would
give life and impetus to mechanical and manulac-
turing industry throughout the entire South. Our
people understand these things, and they not
Indeed, [ do not see why Northern Republicans
should wish to continue a connection with us upon
any terms. They say that institutions are a
disgrace to the political family, which they intend
to remove. They declare African slavery to be a
crime, and that it must be abolished. If we and
they separate their consciences will be freed from
all responsibility for this sim They want high tariffs
likewise They may put on five huDd I'd per cert. +
tkeT choose, upon their own imports, and nobody Oh
our side will complain. They may spend all the
money they raise on railroads, opening harbors,
or anything on earth they desire, without inter
ference from us; and it does seem to me that. IF
tley are sincere in their views, they ought to we
come separation.
| confess, Mr.. President, that do not know
whether or not understand the views Of the mes
sage exactly on some points. There is something
said in it about collecting the revenue fully agree
with the President that there is power or right
back into the Union but if the State does secede,
and thus becomes a foreign State, it seems to me
equally clear that you have right collect taxes
in it. 1t is not pretended that we can collect taxes
at British other foreign ports from commerce go
ing in there. If State of the Union secedes and
becomes a foreign State. it cannot be touched The
most offensive form of coercion which could be
adopted would be that of levying tribute. ! have
no doubt that most Of the Governments of Europe
would release their dependencies from the claim on
them for protection and for postal facilities &C. if
they would just pay the Government all the money
it might think proper to exact. do not know, sir
whether | am given to understand from the message
that there is purpose to continue the collection of
duties in any contingency but if that be the policy
have no doubt some collision may occur I de-
precate it and hope there will be none If there
is to be separation either Of part or the whole of
the slavehodng States, think it better for all par
ties that 1t should be done peaceably and quietly
and as far have any influence it will he exerted
for bringing it about in that way if it must come
do not undertake to say what my own State will do.
Even if she were not inclined to move she will soon
find movement on her southern border and so it is
with Virginia, and with all the Southern States and
in my opinion the movement will not stop until they
all go. l give that opinion because this is an &C.
caSlon of so much moment that no man ought to
withhold his opinions. | may be wrong; but speak
on the subject frankly just would converse with
and gentleman by the tireside.
My purpose was not so much to make speech
as to state what think is the great difficulty and
that Is, that man has been elected because he has
been and is hostile to the South. 1t is this that
alarms our people; and am free to say as have
said on the stump this summer, repeatedly that if
that election were not resisted either now or at some
day not far distant the Aboitionists would succeed
in abolishing slavery all over the South
Now, as to this idea of gentlemen waiting for overt
acts. Why sir, if the fugitive slave law had been
repealed without these other occurrences, it could
not have produced half the excitement in the coun
try. Men would have said, 1--WE have gotten back
very few negroes under it; its repeal merely puts
US where we were ten years ago" Again, if you
were to abolish slavery in this District it would be
said, There are only few thousand slaves here Z:
that is small matter; you going to disturb this
great Union just for the sake of few thousand
saves!' 1t is said, however by some persons, that
we are to submit until revolution is more tolerabe