The national Republican., 1861-02-14
Mr.. YANCEY ON THE PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION AND OTHER MATTERS.


vention, upon resolutions for the appointment
of deputies to Southern Congress to frame
provisional and permanent plan oil government
for Southern Confederacy. 1t was objected
to the resolutions, that they contained no pro-
vision for a submission to the people OF Ala.
hama for their ratification, of the plan Of gov
ernment so to be framed, and that the deputies
ought to be elected by the people. Mr.. Yancey
met this objection with two replies; .frst that
the people of Alabama had already settled the
question of seeding and forming Southern
Confederacy, in two elections, and, secondly,
that to leave it to them again, might result in
their repudiating the whole thing.
He said:
"Several objections have been urged against
the report, which propose briefly to consider.
One is, that by the report, deputies to that
body, and not by the people; and also that no
provision is made for the election Of another
Convention to consider the plan for the perma-
nent Government to be submitted for ratfca-
ton. The points are correctly stated, but con.
stitutc no objection with me. The people have
had this question of secession before them for
long time, and have maturely considered it in
two late elections-namely, those for electors Of
President, and for delegates to this body. The
issue was as distinctly made in one as in the
other, and in both they decided the issue in IA
vor of secession.
"But, it is said, ,chy not call another Con-
uention TO ratify the permanent Government to
be adopted answer, because ii is unneces.
sary. A permanent Government for South
ern Confederacy was looked fer by the friends
of secession was spoken Of, and entered into
all the discussions in the late canvass. 1t was
q part of the plan Of secession, and when the
people decided for secession, they decided for
Southern Coufederacy. Therefore, in that
point, we already know the views Of the people,
and no new expression Of opinion is needed.
Neither is such expression needed as to the
character of the permanent Government. The
character of the people has indicated, and it is
expressed in the report it must be Govern
ment as nearly similar as possible to the Fed.
eral Constitution. We need no discussion BE-
fore the people, nor other expression of their
views on that point Beside these views, in
man would willingly throw such grave issues
before the people, after once receiving their
decision, until the irritations, and prejudices,
and passions, Of the previous contest had
cooled. 1t is eminently wise, before throwing
off upon the people the responsibilities which
attach to us, to consider the condition Of the
public mind. Gentlemen here, have told US
of an excited and unhealthy state of public
feeling in some sections of the State, and have
asked time for reflection, in order to its cor
rection. Who is not aware that it was great
misfortune that the election for delegates to
this body came off so soon after the heated
Presidential contest? Who is not aware that
in one section of the State the angry passions
&c xl.x
largely and almost exclusively, in that section,
into the election for delegates And is it wise,
is it not eminenty unwise, to throw this whole
| question again before such people, to blow
| the ashes, and revive once again the glowing
embers of that bitter strife
There is another reason why oppose the
election of another Convention. Such a prop
osition has tendency to reopen the question Of
secession, by bringing up the issue Of a recon-
struction Of the Federal Government 1t allows
such an issue to be made-it invites it, in fact.
And under what circumstances From the
signs of the times, it would seem as if coercve
measures were to be adopted. If SO, about the
time of such an election, the people will be
bearing the burdens of such contest. Com.
mercial and agricultural interests ,oiH be suffer-.
ing. Debts tciU be hard TO pay. Provisions
wiN be scarce. Perhaps death at the hands of
the enemy iciH hare come to the doors Of many
| families. Mems minds, thus surrounded and
affected by strong personal and selfish consid.
erations, will not be in that calm and well-bal,
anced condition which is favorable to correct
and patriotic judgment Of the question. The
very state Of things will perhaps exist which
our Black Republican enemies predict will ex'
ist, and which they sneeringly rely upon to force
our people to ask for readmission into the Union
Shall we, the selected friends and deputies Of
| tho o;I tha,a uy,1y nd al;
mics of our State by laying this whole question,
as it eliminates in its progress, on the very eve
of final triumph, back to the consideration of a
people thus surrounded and influenced by most
unpropitious circumstances TO do so, might
Weli accord WiM tie purposes Of a friend Of u
reconstruction Of the Federal Government, but,
in my opinion, ii is a policy ichich euery true
friend Of the people should condemn"
Mr.. Yancey, it will be seen, treats the question
y of dsunion as having been the one involved in
majority for Breckinridge in Alabama, as q
verdict for secession.
This is precisely the way in which the coun
try understood that matter, so far, at least, as
the motives of leaders were concerned. The
Democratic party was disrupted at Charleston
and Baltimore for the purpose of insuring the
election Of Mr.. Lincoln, and with the determi,
nation, then 6xed of making Mr.. Lincoln's
election the pretext of q dissolution ofthe Union.
The hope was, that the whole South could bo
concentrated upon Mr.. Breckenridge, but that
hope was not realized.
One Of the reasons given by Mr. Yancey, for
not referring the Constitution of the Southern
Confederscy to vote Of the people Of Alaba-
ma, is likely to continue equally valid for an
indefinite period, and it is not probable that