Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-03-05
uE. Euulg.,y SPEECIf.

Below we give the Speech Of Mr.. luoMAs f.
GuopE, Of Mecklcnburs delivered in .le Con-
vention on Saturday. L WAS uaavodaLy
crowded ont on yesterday
SIR pKISIUESr--l am aware that tlc debate
which has progressed for srrc;ai days. and
upon which am nof about 10 enter, can re-
suit in no Practical good, ST. far NJ the action Of
this body is concerned. While, no" ever rcso.
buttons and $peec!Ie, are being seat ni!t tu the
country calculated 10 excite prejudice in the
minds ul our people against Those with whoa
| trust, We are SOON 10 bs cunitcd-whii': :;
fierce arrangement Is being made OF the minor
ity upon this floor am lndispn<et: to Remain
silent. \ distinguished gentleman from Rch
mona MIR. MAcfAglANDj told US yesterday
that he was not aware that we had ina orIty
or minority upon this floor. Sir, were dis
posed, might rccuuIr ylnu:ii, very mach, To
show that we have Il ina 5ri.y here, and that
not very tolerant MINORITY. But, ,ir, pass
iron. the subject. Sir, Il little while since in
the history Of nation, and the sun Of Heaven
shone upon no land so rich in all that pertains
to national greatness, prosperity and happiness
Us ours Throughout Il wide cX;cEr.d cnun.
try, We were one peOp'e-one il sentiment
lu.c. We kpct together around the same pol,t.
ica altar, with every heart thrnbhing in unison
and Offering prayer that our Government
might endure forever. y future was spread
out befurc us bright d. fancy ever sketchcd.-
But, alas. all is changed; Il dark cloud now
hangs like l pail along OUR whole political hu-
rzon. We are in the midst nf revolution oil
L revolution that is sweei;ng he!'1:c it to. very
foundation ol our EGvruiaeital fabric. Proper.
" in tic South 20 the yIlp: OF rnillInnS of col!
lars, Iuc lives Vi the Southern people, tic
SanctIy ot Sauti!cri ho.Ees aud iiiesdes are
put III Issue. I'll: gentleman from Rockpridse
Mr.. MookE) charged bclnrc tbs Convention
and the c"u:stry that lie responsibility for this
dire calamity rested. III part at irasf, upon the
Democratic party and the action 81 lhe co,t.!:
States. Sir, not for the vndicli;un Of those
with whom | have becE POLITICALLY aSsocia:r,
will breathe one wuid oi party uuon this
noor. II, Ill this great crisis II tie Country
II, at time when wc should m:vt ,ogetnc,
here, ~ men who are u confront
common danger the party stri!es and
anilnosrlles OF the past are to be dis
cntombed, | Leave the noble work to 9th.
eTs-l mean to have nn part nor lot in IT, |
desire, Sir, but TO say for the Democratic par
~, That 1t went down before lie saline irreslsl-
bic power that had already destroyed It's great
ahtagonlstic party-the old Wing parly-b,..
fore the same power before which bad gone
down the American party. reared for & Lime
upon its ruins. And, sir they ull went down
before power that had severed nose who had
knclt together in christian fellowship, and that
power WAS the great anti-saYery puwcr Of the
North. The gentleman from Rock bridge, mr.
MouIr,j told is tina. the Cotton Siale, were not
the parties to the grievances Of "hirf, the Dor.
der States pialned-lha; they lad i.;ly avail
ed themselves Of our grievances as t. pre,vx; l;r
carrying out foregone determination. In this [
may well leave the gentleman 81 ,lIt:on &c an.
swer the gentieman's spesch for that .xsol,;-
ton, 10 enumeratlns the wrongs which have
been done US by the free States, charges tina!
they have refused to surrender III sit;ye slaves:
that they have refused TO surrender criminals
from justice; that they hare sought 10 deprive
the Southern States Of an! portion Of The coz.