The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-08-06


purposely done by the Government of
Washington of which the South has a
right to complain? I challenge the an
swer.
While, on the other hand, let me show
the facts, (and believe me, gentlemen, l
am not here the advocate of the North,
but am here the friend, the firm friend
and lover of the South and her institu.
tions, and for this reason I speak thus
plainly and faithfully for yours, mine,
and every other mans interest, the words
of truth and soberness,) of which, wish
you to judge, and l will only state facts
which are clear and undeniable, and
which are records authentic in the history
of our country. When we of the South
demanded the slave trade, or the impor-
tation of Africans for the cultivation of
our lands, did they not yield the right
for twenty years ?
When we asked three fifths represen-
tation in Congress for our slaves, was it
not granted When we asked and de-
manded the return of any fugitive from
justice, or the recovery of those persons
owing oath or allegiance, was it not in
corporated in the Constitution, and again
ratified annd strengthened in the Fugi-
tive Slave Law of 1850? But do you
reply that in many instances they have
violated this compact, and have not been
faithful to their engagements AS in
dividuals and local communities they
have done so /; but not by the sanction of
Government, for that has always been
true to South ern interests. Again, gen.
tlemen, look at another fact When we
have asked that more territory should be
added, that we might spread the institu-
ton of slavery, have they not yielded to
our demands in giving us Louisiana, Flor
ida and Texas, out Of which four States
have been carved, and ample territory
for four more to be added in due time,
if you, by this unwise and impolitic act,
do not destroy this hope, and perhaps, by
it lose it all, and have your last slave
wrenched from you by stern military
rule, as South America and Mexico were,
or by the vindictive decree of universal
emancipation which may reasonably be
expected to follow.
But again, gentlemen, what have I'VE
to gain by this proposed change of our
relation to the General Government
We have always had the control of it, and
can yet, if we remain in it, and are united
as we have been. We have had major
ity of the Presidents chosen from the
South, as well as the control and man.
agement of most Of those chosen from
the North. We have had sixty years of
Southern Presidents to their twenty four,
thus controlling the Executive Depart
ment. So of the Judges Of the Supreme
Court-we have had eighteen from the
South and but eleven from the North
although nearly four-ffths of the busi-
ness has arisen In the free States, yet a
majority of the Court have always been
from the South. This we have required
SO as to guard against any Interpretation
of the Constitution unfayorable to us.
In like manner we have been equally
watchful to guard cur interests in the
legislative branch of Government.
In chosing the presiding Presidents
(1'ro tem.) OF the Senate, we have had
twenty four to their eleven Speakers Of
the House we have had twenty three, and
they twelve. While the majority of the
Representatives, from their greater popu-
lation, have always been from the North,
yet We have SO generally secured the
Speaker, because he, to a great extent,
shapes and controls the legislation of the
country. Nor have we bad less control
in every other department of the General
Government. Attorney Generals we have
had fourteen, while the North had but
five. Forei gn ministers we have bad
eighty-six, and they but fifty -four.
While three-fourths of the business which
demands diplomatic agents abroad is
clearly from the free States, from their
greater commercial interests, yet we have
had the principal embassies, so as to Sc
cure the worlds markets for our cotton,
tobacco and sugar, on the best possible
terms.
We have had vast majority
of the higher officers of both army
and navy, while a large proportion Of the
soldiers and sailors were drawn from the
North. Equally SO Of clerks, auditors
and comptrollers filling the Executive
Department; the record shows that for the
last fifty years, of three thousand thus
employed, we had more than two-thirds
of the same, while We have but third
of the white population of the republic.
Again, look at another item, and one, be
assured in which we have great and
vital interest; It is that of revenue or
means of supporting Government. From
official documents we learn that fraction
over three-tourths of the revenue collec-
ted for the support of Government has
uniformly been raised from the North.