Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-01-24
MIR. Stewards Speeefi.

the Journal of Commerce. The portion which we give
contains every word that could be supposed to look like
any Cancellation to the South and if anybody can point
to anything there, will give credit for being politi
cal Columbus-a great discoverer:
Here l might close my plea for the American Union;
but it is necessary, not to exhaust the argument at
least to hlbt the whole The dsunlonists con-
sciously unable to stand on their disappointment
in the recent election have attempted to enlarge their
ground More than thirty years there has existed
cOnsldera bethOugh not heretofore formidable
of citizens in certain States situate around the
delta Of the Mississippi who believe that Union is less
conducive to the welfare and greatness of those States
than smaller contederacy, embracing only slave States,
would be- This class has avaied itself of the discon-
tents resulting from the election to put into operation
the machinery of dissolution long ago prepared and
waiting only for occasion.
In other States there is a soreness because of the
want of sympathy in the free States with the efforts of
shareholders for The ecapture OF ugtivs from service
In all the slave States there is resveness resulting
from the resistance which has been so determnedly
made within the last few years, in the free States to
the extension of slavery in the common Territories of
lie United States. The Republican party, which cast
lis votes for the successful Presidential candidates on
the ground of that policy has been allowed practically
no representation, utterance by speech through
the press in the slave States while its policy principles
and sentiments and its temper, have been mis-
represented to excite apprehensons that it denies i'm
portant constitutional obligations, and aims at inter
ference with slavery and its overthrow by State author
tiles or Intervention Of the Federal Government
Considerable masses in the free States, interest
ed IN the success OF these Misrepresentation
OF parzan strategy, have lent their sympathy to the
party claiming to be aggrieved. While the result of
the election brings the Republican party necessarily into
the foreground in resisting disunOn, the preiudices
against them which l have described have deprived
them of the cooperation of many good and patriotic
citizens. On a complex issue between the Republican
and the dSunlOnlStS althOuUh if involves the
direct national caames, the result might be doubtful
or the Republican party Is weak in large part of the
Union. But direct issue, with all who cherish the
Union side, and all who desires its dissolution by
force the other the verdict would be prompt and al
most unanimous. | desire thus to simplify the ISSUE
and for that purpose to separate from all collateral
questions, and relieve it of all partzan passions and
prejudices.
l consider the idea of the withdrawal OF the Gulf
States and their permanent reorganization with with
out others IN distinct cOnfederacy as means of ad
vantage to themselves, certainly unwise and OBJ
vously impossible of execution when the purpose is
derstOod that dismiss it with the discussion have al
ready ncidently bestowed upon it.
The is different, however, in regard to the other
subjects which have brought in this connection before
the Senate.
Beyond doubt, Union is vitaly important to the
Republican citizens of the United States but it Is lust
as important to the whole people, RepubIicanism and
Union are. therefore, not convertible terms. Repubi-
canlsm IS subordinate to UnOn everything else is
and ought to be-Republcanism, Democracy, every
other political name and thing all are subordinate
and they ought to disappear n the presence OF the great
question of Union. SO far concerned, it sail be
it should be if the question sure to be tried
as it ought only to be determined, by the peaceful
deal of the ballot.
1t shall be all the since there is on one side
preparedness to refer it to the arbrament of civil
have such faith in this republican system of ours that
there is political good which desire that am not
content to seek through its peaceful forms Of admins
tration without invoking revolutionary action If 9th
erS shall invoke that form of action to oppose and
throw government they shall not, far as it depends
on me- have the excuse that obstinatey left myself to
be misunderstood In such case can afford to meet
prejudice with Cancellation, eXacton with concession
which surrenders principle, ard violence with the
. y right hand of peace.
heretore, sir far the abstract question whether
by the Constitution Of the United States The bondsman
who is made such by the laws OF the State is still man
or only property, answer that, within that State, its
laws on that sub ec supreme that when he has
; capped from that State into another, tie Constitution
recO6 6nlzes him as bOndsman who may not by any law
> or regulation of that State be discharged from his
vice. but shall be delivered up claim to the party tC
e whom his service is due
<, While prudence and Justice would combine in per
suadng you to modify the acts of Congress that sub
ect not to obge private persons to assist in he
execution and to protect treemen from being by abus
OF the laws, carried into slavery agree that all laws
the States which relate this class of persons any
and which laws cOntravene the Constitution Of the Uni
ted States any law OF Congress passed in conform
Sc thereto, ought to be repealed
is Secondly. Experience in public affairs has confirmed
my opinion, that domestic slavery existing in any Stat
IN wisely lett by the Constitution of the United State
exclusively to the care, management and disposition
that Stae and If it were in my power would not a
ter the Constitution IN that respect Ii misappreheI
sion OF my position needs so strong remedy, wi
ling to vote for amendment of the Constitution de
lCarinC that If shall nv futurp amendment h
so altered as to Confer on Congress power to abols
in or interfere with slavery in any State.
W Thirdly. While think that Congress has exclusiv
and sovereign authority to egislae all subjects wha
nv ever in the Territories of the United States
and while certainly shall never directly indirectly
give my vote to establish sanction slavery in
Territories, anywhere else in the world yet the que
ton what constitutional laws shall at any time be pas
m ed n regard to the Territories is like every other que
HR ton, to be determined on practical grounds vote
If for enabling acts in the of Oregon Minnesota
Kansas without being able to in them such pre-
es: visions as | would have preferred and yet vote
Of. wisely.
col So now, am we'll satisfied that, under existing ci
cumstances, happy and satisfactory solution OF Il
7o difficulties 10 the remaining territories would be Obtain
ed by similar laws, providing for their organization
his such organization otherwise practicable IT, ther
va fore, Kansas admitted as State under the w
andote constitution, think she ou int to be, and
the organic laws of all the other territories could be
admission of two new States which should include the
reservDg the right to effect subdivisions of them whe
ever necessary into several convenient States but
not find that such reservations could be constitutional
Sc. made.
nd Without them the ulterior embarrassments viii
BILE would result from the hasy incorporation of States
such vast extent and interests and charact
co. would outweigh all the immediate advantages of such
" measure. But if the practicable, shou
prefer different course namely: when the eccentr
movements of secession and dsunion shall have ende
pr IN whatever form that end may come and the ang
ies CA1''o'''u'7 VI 'u0 noui enoii navy 1U "1I N1
ULlCG