Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-03-09


the reflection, whether permanent govern
ment on any fixed principle, can be len! main
tanned without much difficulty. In Europe
We hchod political governments and lnstltu-
tioos changing like the shifting scenes of
rheatreI We see society upheaved, dynastles
constitutions re-nudled, aud States
extin.l,ished and the public mind, aroused by
the magnitude Of these events, Is preparing
for the commencement, OF new system for
the redress of the grievances which have been
endured. and for the attainment OF some spe-
c,fc plan Of improvement in their social and
nolitical system. And. Mr. President, for the
frs, time since the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF the
prcat Roman fabric, the Italian heart and
mini, cherishing the hope of new and
better civilization, is seen struggling for
constitutional union Of the Italian States un-
der one constitutional government.
In our own country we perceive similar phe.
nomena reproduced but under different and op-
nosite circumstances. Here, sir, in the midst
of profound peace, when surrounded by all
the elements Of moral and material power and
greatness, after u growth and progress uneNam'
plel in the history Of nations, alter exhibiting
ourselves 10 the world as the great eHenplar OF
constitutional! free dotn and ideas, we oenoid
inauyuratcd revolution which has d'ssolved
the Union vi the States, aid torn asunder
those who have been long bound together.
It is a painful ref action that 1T lie tSroes oil
dissolution, in the nids; Of inns era or
natiuna! suicide, we read the story OF or
greatness, our numbers and our wealth, and are
forced to contemplate the greatness anu inagnl-
tude Of that system which hus been over
thrown; for. sir the cra Of national uisniem-
bermtnt is the era cf the eighth census OF the
United States. and upon its pages posterIty
will read the story Of our greatness sud OUT
folly
The consequences, Mr.. President, which are
involved in this wonderful event are not only
Of great inheritance 10 ourselves and to our
postcrity, but To the cause of human liberty
and Of all future civilization. Union or Dis
unun, peace, or civil war, are the issues in
volved. We should address ourselves, there
FORE 10 their consideration, fully approaching
their Importance and magnitude and the respon-
sibility which rests upon US, rs the representa-
tives Of this great and ancient Commonwealth
The secession Of the cotton States from this
Union, however sudden, has not come upon US
by any sort of chance. 1t has been effected
not so much 10y the unsonndncsS OF the system
which has been ovcrthrown, as 1t has been by
the conviction in the Southern mind that the
true interests Of the Southern States CONSIST
in independence, and this conviction has been
fostercd and strengthened, and has grown IN
consequence Of the mad agitation Of the ianhtl'
cisr in the Nnrihern States and hence We
hive that studied attempt on the part ul Suti!h-
crn statesmen 10 transplant into the Southern
mind The idea OF an "lrrepveSSib'c conflict be-
tween the Two SECTIONS Of this Union.
Mr. president-Hostility to the Union OF
these States has existed for more than thirty
years. Aud the institution of slavery has been
seized upon NJ all times, by those who have
been seeking the overthrow OF this Union, as
the occasion or preteHt for their natives and
aims Abolitionism i'll the North, trained
in the school Of Garrison and Phillips, and Ell
tcctinv 10 regard the Constitution rs - League
yith hell, and covenant with death, hare,
with IL steady and untiras hate, sought
a DISRUPTION Of this Union, rs the best and
surest means for the accomplishment OF
the abolition OF slavery in the Southern Sthtas.
And hence, sir, the song Of triumph that went
forth from the brazen Threats OF Garrison and
Phillips, when South Carolina passed her ordI.
lion with this Union; "all hail disunion {! give
her the forts and tho nrSenalS and The sui
treasures, lend her Jewels Of silver and gold.
and Egypt will rejoice that she has departed.
Mr.. President, South Carolina, and those
leading STATESMAN OF the South who have been
! educated in the philosophy OF free trade, nave
| likewise with unwea;ied and constant aSsouily
| pursued their schcmeS ui diSunion. Conscious
| Of their inability To effect their schemes within
the Union, they have sought disruption o.
the States. Conscious Of their inpotcncy, al
| ter the successful peaceful mediation mate ny
VIRGINS. in 1888, against their dISunion tcnden'
cies TO effect their jcrt upon auy such pe-
itical or economical policy, they have turned
the Southern mind to considerations OF II
sectional character upon which they well
knew ths human mimd WAS naturally SEN
si,iYe aud upon which there would be MI
identity of interest and Of sentiment Hence
the CRY which went forth that the Institution o.
sqySry Tas az sn$5;a5n.;sSsre the srea. excite
cry, was unquestionably strengthened, and
gained power in consequence Of the iawless
legislation upon the part Of the North, by thell
attempt to ar1cs, the operation of the Cunstitu
tion Of the United States by their Personal
/
to capture aud bring back fugitive negroes, %
the attempt upon their part-uHjust, unne
cessary and wicked-to exclude the South
with their property, FROM u common particips
ton in the public domain and the cry tina
went forth, that the equilibrium between
| the two sections had been destroyed, that til:
Independence, the freedom and the Institution:
Of the South were in ilnnincr.: peril, increased
the excitement; and they were sill further
excited when they were told that the position
of the South in this Government was not unlike
that which is described by SrEScEE in his Fairy
| Queen, Of two brothers, one Of whom saw IL,
soil Of his inheritance, daily wasting ava!
and added to that Of his rival, without the
power OF maintaining or restoring the orisina
equality.
In these two schools Of political philosophy
| Mr.. President, trace all the evils and dlsaS
trous troubles which now ulhict and disturb
our beloved and unhappy lard. Like the
| hostile elements which lie Hebrew mother
carried within her womb, though they
threatened her existence. yet she was
unable to expel them from her loins-
SonLl Carolina has never concealed the
cause Of her grievances, whether iancied or
real. She has always boldly avowcd it. Beev.
ing. OH her part, that the system Of protective
tariffs had been adopted as the fixed and settled
policy Of this Government she has re-
garded that system as the source OF all
her de,adence in commerce and trade
and has pertnaciousiy sought In secedc from this
Union, US her sole and only remedy. do not
desire to do South Carolina any injustice. |
admire all those noble qualities which belong
to her character, and to the character Of her
SONS; and if South Carolina has committed er-
rors, would be indsposcd, when remember
the respect and esteem which bear 10 many
within her limits when look at the patriotic
impulses and the spirit Of liberty hy which
she has been heretofore animated. would, in
the language Of Burke, "pardon much TO 9
spirit Of liberty
Mr. President, desire now to she" that have
not done South Carolina injustice. will now
show tina. it has bccn more desire to relieve
lerselfof this system Of protective tariffs than
for protection Of the institution Of slavery, which
bnr -, ba- ! hor