The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-07-02

the Government at that time, to see that
this was the merest pretext. IL they
had remained true TO their professions.
they were in no danger whatever. If
these Cotton States had been honest in
their desire for security for onr slave
property, they would not have taken the
course they did. AT the time of Mr.
Lincoln's election, we had majority in
the Senate Of nine against his policy, and
thirteen in the House. The majority to-
day would have been twenty five, for we
have gained against Mr.. Lincoln in the
free States, We had nine when he came
into Office; but that majority was re-
duced, by divisions in the Democratic
party in Ohio, Indiana and other States,
and Republicans were elected in place OF
them, reducing the majority TO four. But
all those four hold their terms of office
as long as he, while all the other Sena-
tors, whose terms would expire during
Lincola's Administration, were of his par
ty, and five should succeed in electing
opposition men, il would reduce his ma
iority that much. In the House we
would now have City or sixty majority,
II these States had remained in the
Union. Beside this, we had lust such a
Constitution as we wanted and il was
admitted by all men, notwithstanding
the fuss occasionally made about it, that
we could not make our property any
safer. The last law on the subject had
been Fl med by Henry Clay himself the
wisest and best Statesman Of his age.
Having full regard for all the rights and
interests of the people, he made that law
as perfect as a law could be made, TO
guard aud protect us.
In view of these facts, we in the border
States were the only ones who need be
alarmed. But why should we be alarmed?
The Government had been most faithful
ly and rigidly executing that law. The
law, in addition to giving TO us the right
TO pursue our slaves into any State or
Territory, gave II the whole power Of
the Federal Government for his recapture;
and in addition to this, even, in order 10
restrain tanaticism, penalties were enact
ed against those who attempted to OBJ
struct or evade its execution. Thus was
fanaticism completely chained. And the
law was more faithfully executed than
any law in any country upon the earth.
There were fewer violations permitted
than with any other law; W. had no
cause Of complaint. We were so amply
secured that men along the border felt
just as secure i'll the enjoyment of their
slaves as they did in the possession Of
their horse, their COW, or their sheep.
Therefore we had no cause of complaint.
Under this state OF things a party
comes up proclaiming as part of their
platform: we have no disposition 10 in
terfere with your property where il ex-
ists; and, in addition, we have not the
power to do il il we had the inclination.
But here come up the cotton State saying,
you are liars, you do intend to do it,
although you say you don't; therefore
we will separate from you. This would
be a miserable excuse if they were
honest in making ii. But l will show
that il was lie, and that they were moi
honest but were attempting TO bring
about the ruin of the border States fol
their own aggrandizement.
THE COTTON STATES IN WANT OF SLAVES
0ser forty years ago al the civilized
powers of the earth adopted laws which
prohibited the African slaye-irade. Pre-
vious TO that time, the cotton States hao
imported large numbers Of slaves, direct
from Africa; but since the laws making
il piracy TO transport Africans on the
seas for sale have been in force, they
have found il impossible 20 stock theil
plantations with negroes-for, if they
attempted do it from abroad, they would
feel e restraining influence of the rope
Of the hangman. Thus they were cul
off from their accustomed supplies
They were growing in wealth and AFRO
gance. Cotton WAS said TO be king; i
was the ruling production, and when tn,
owners of those large plantations fonnC
they were likely to suffer for the wan
of sufficient supply of slaves, they be-
came greatly concerned. They turned
TO the border slave States, and made al
effort TO obtain them from that quarter
What was the result? Under the Con
stitution and laws, as / have shown, W,
were 80 we'll secured in the enjoyment
Of our slave property, that we were no
disposed TO sell readily; and under III
demand made upon as, slaves ran up 4
an enormously high price. Fifteen hun
bred and two thousand dollars, you al
remember, was established by thl
planters OF the cotton States, for goo
field hands But with all this the colto
gentlemen were not able to get our slaves
we were not disposed TO sell merely fol
money. The only supplies they coul
get was where men were compelled I
sell their slaves to pay their debtF, o
wished 70 dispose Of on ungOyernabl
slave, as a punishment 10 him and {
warning 10 others. t.r.
Now they frankly tell AS that for NOR
than thirty years they have entertaine
this purpose Of breaking up the Uniol
Thus said Barnwell Bhett IL Is not
thing OF TO- day; IL Is rot in consequent
Of the election Of Lincoln. Why hay
the Cotton States been seeking this ser
aration? For the sole reason, az haI
before shown, that they have been cut o
from their supply Of slaves, except fro
the border States, and are limited theI
, TO a very small supply. They must hal
, their slaves, but how are they 10 4
/ them II the border Siaies won't SC
/ them At the prices they can afford TO pa
/ what shall they do? There Is but OF
/ course TO pursue. Cotton is king. ~
4 STAKEHOLDER in the South is q superb
) man; he is educated, and knows how
+ handle the gun be is superior 10 y
D ordinary mnd-sills, as they call laboril
/ men, and Il is necessary there should
4 a change in the form OF government, Whi'
will recognize shareholders as the rule
Y Of the land. The negTo-owner must
: the ruling power and the laborer the pr
a dueine class We must get the slaves