Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-04-06
Ind willing to stand up in defence Of tho rights

ana willing to stand up in defence Of the rights
and institutions Of the people of the Eastern por.
ton of this State. In saying so did not wish
to he misunderstood as meaning that the people
of the West were willing to take the course
pressed by those whom We call the ultra men of
the Eastern portion Of the State; but simply that
the people of the West arc sound on this ones
ton of slavery and are willing at all hazards,
to stand up for the rights and interests of the
people Of the Eastern portion of this State.
| desire to be understood that we are not in
favor of the doctrine of the constitutional
right of secession. We believe in the right Of
revolution. We believe that when our Consti.
tuition has been perverted to our Injury and
oppression, we have the ri ght 10 throw of the
shackles, and appeal to our natural rights.
but revolution pre.supposes, in my opinion, d
remedy; and, if the fact Of discovering our.
selves from the Federal Government would be
remedy for the evils Of which we complain,
then we would be in favor of it. But cannot
See, Tor my life, Eow, under present circum.
stances, secession or revolution would he
remedy Tor the evils complained Of VIII il
relieve US from any of our srievan 'es +? If We
had 10 complain Of perTersion of the Consti.
tuition by the Federal Government, then rcvo.
luton, if successful, would be complete RENE.
dy; but II the complaint is in regard to the
action Of separate States, then secession from
the Geoeral Government would be TO remedy.
II 1t were even successful, we would still find
ourselves in idenlcally the same position in
which we now IRE. The institutions and laws
Of those States, derogatory of the rights of
the South, would still remain on their statute
books.
The people of my district are in favor of con.
tending for their rights in the Union In that
we go with our friend from Princess Anne.
We all stand up ~ one solid mass of people 10
contend and fight for our rights in tie Union.
We believe that secession, instead Of being
remedy for the evils complained Of would be
al aggrsvation Of those evils. the great qurs
ton that has siven rise to complaint is the
slavery question. Aud have told YOU that
although we nave no direct interest in that
question We were loyal and true 20 the interests
Of the people Of The Eastern por:ua II the
State.
We take the position that slavery is right,
legally, morally, and in every sense Of the
word. But the Convention will recelIect that the
sentiment Of the whole civilized world, at this
day, is arrayed against the institution Of slave
~, and 1t is nothing but the prestige and pow
or Of the General Government now That guar.
anteeS to the STAKEHOLDER his right. We find
a large portion Of the people Of tbs Northern
States standing up also to vindcate and sup.
port our rights. ! believe that at this day
there is majority Of the people Ct The free
States IN favor OF the right OF the Southern
portion Of the Confeleracy 10 tiie institution Of
slavery.
They appeal to us TO come to th" rescue ana
help THEM to savo The Union They have
fought for Us in days gone W, ard now they
appeal to oar brothrriy feeling to Come to their
aid and to save the Union. Ii we pursue III.
course indicated here by the sccessionist party,
we will cut ourselves loose from our friends III
the free States, ard ezra: them pG;.;!st us
The whole civilized world will then be array.
ed, by our action, against the institution
Of slavery. II we say to these IL the North,
who have heretofore stood up for our rights,
I'VE will have nothing more to do with you,"
can you expect or hope to retain the good
will and kind feeling Of that people? Nc, sir.
BY pursuing this course, you will, in my
humble opinion, unite the people of the North
in one solid mass against our institutions Then
we will have the whole world arrarcd against us
Can we expect our friends in the North to stand
by U.s. after we have destroyed the Grvcrnmeni
and brought ruin upon them: II is hopeless
to expect so. Then hold that secession CT
revolution is no remedy for the evils complain.
ed of, but is an aggravation Of them, ard vii,
if persisted in, lead to the determination Of
slavery.
hod, Mr.. President, that have but four
minutes left before the Convention goes into
Committee OF the Whole, and, as could not
discuss any other proposition within that time,
will now yield the floor.