Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1863-02-20
SDeech of Henry May.

date recognition Of the Confederate States.
In the course Of his remarks, he made the
following statement respecting the late S.
A. Douglas:
Mr. Speaker, that eminent and far see
ing statesman. the late Judge Douglas,
avowed to me in April preceding his death,
his solemn conviction that our political
union was at an end. I violate no conf
dence in repeating his opinions, since he
assured me it was his purpose to publish
his views at an eally day; and if the Sc
quel Of his life may seem in conflict with
these views there are those among his per-
sonal friends here on this floor, who can
reconcile his conduct, and show the con-
formity Of his plans with peaceful though
it might be revolutionary solution of our
national troubles. Judge Douglas, on that
occasion, read to me an elaborate essay that
he tod me had cost him more thought and
labor than any work Of his life; that he
feared it was too long, and he wished both
to abridge and simplify it. SO that it might
be read and understood by all; that he
would revise it at Chicago and then give it
to his countrymen. Death, alas denied
this most patriotic design.
That essay ascribed our present situation
to the aggressive spirit Of Northern aboli-
tionism. { It declared his conviction that
the union of our States, as originally formed
and maintained, was finally destroyed, and
no political union could exist again between
the free and slaveholding States that such
an idea must be abandoned, and CONNER
cial union, founded upon the plan general
" Of the zoll-v erein of the States Of Ger
many. be accepted as the only practicable
arrangement to secure peace now and here
after The mastery paper, every word of
which I heard read by himself, and, which
since his death have endeayored in vain
to procure for the benefit gifts wise coun-
sells to our countrymen. fully explained the
plan, operation, and results of the zoll-
verein, and showed how, with certain mod
ifcat;ons, it could be adapted tossustain all
those principal causes and influences which
have hitherto made the United States the
happiest and most prosperous Of nations.
Mr. May concluded his speech by read
Ing the following resolutions, which he in
tended to offer for adoption:
Whcreas, The deplorable civil war now
existing between the States heretofore com
posing our Union. has failed to restore It,
ard, if continued longer, will destroy all
hope of its restoration in the future, as
originally formed and maintained by our
Federal Constitution. and no other political
Union is either desirable or practicable;
and, whereas, the interests of humanity, Of
civilization, and the future of free Constitu-
tional Government, all concur in requiring
that this dreadful contest Of arms should be
terminated; Therefore.
Be It resozced, l. That it is the duty Of
Congress at once to appoint - commits
sioners to effect an armistice between the
contending armies, and secure peace at all
events.
g. That said commissioners be empow-
cred, by compromise, to restore the Union
if possible; but if OF, then to arrange the
terms OF a peaceful separation from the
Union, as we'll of those States which now
claim to have seeded, as of such others as,
by the will of their people in sovereign con-
ventions assembled, may hereafter ordain
to seccde; and that said commissioners be
solemnly enjoined so to conduct their nego.
tiations as to secure. by every proper and
honorable means, if practicable. a more
harmonious and permanent reunion Of all
the States in commercial If not political
system.
8. That said commissioners make re-
port of their transactions to Congress as
soon as possible, 10 order that such legislao
ton may be provided as may be necessary
to assemble the people of the several States
in convention to determine their ion in
the premises.
4. That in the event of refusal by the
Government Of the United States to secure
peace, and the only hopes of a reunion up
on the terms and by the means herein pro-
vided, or by some other practicable plan,
it is hereby recommended to the govern
ments of the several States now composing
the Union at once to take measures to eff
feet these objects
The N. 7. Tribune, reviewing Mr.. May s
speech, says; H.
The Hon. Henry May, Of Baltimore who
is believed to be better acquainted with the
f elings and purposes of the rebels than any
other man in the House, is reported in the
Globe to have said in his speech yes terday
1.-The people Of the South believe, and
believe that there is established fixed and
unalterable antagonism between the sections
where slavery is and is not allowed and
that no future political union, as long as
slavery exists, can ever be maintained be-
tween them upon any basis whatever"
MIR. May went on to say that the only
alternatives presented to the country are
separation or subjugation," and he adj:
ministered rebuke to Mr.. Eallandigham
for laying SO much stress upon arguments
for reunion found in physical geography,
when all hopes Of it were forbidden By rea-
sons inherent in ''lhc nature of men,"
The New York Times on the same sub
ject, says:
Some Republicans are SO much outraged
at Henry Mays speech On Monday, (Which
he was permitted to print after delivering
only part oft that they talk of bring
ing in resolution for his expulsion lie
said that the rebellion stood before the
world justified of God and man, and that
the war could only end in one or two ways
subjugation or separation-as restoration
with slavery was now forever impossible
The Republicans also foolishy consented
to let Wicklife print speech which he did
not deliver; and now it is feared that it