Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-10-28
SPEECH OF HON. w. w. BOYCE

Speech Of Hon W. W. BoYcB, deIiUered at
the recent Meeting IN Columbia, South
Carolina.
thank you for affording me the priv
ilege of defending myself on this occasion.
That permission has not taken me by sur
prise, for | knew that there dwelt in the
hearts of South Carolinians magnanimity
and generous emotions, and that it would
be impossible within the limits of this
State to assemble so large an audience and
then refuse man, who was put on trial
for his political life, an opportunity Of
speaking in his own behalf.
1t is impracticable, my fellow-citizens,
to discuss question so grave as this, and
involving, as it does, so many and compl-
cate relations, under the present circum-
stances. | shah, therefore, take occasion
hereafter, in some more convenient mode,
to fully set forth my ideas on this subject.
What shall say to you now will be but
brief vindication of my position, for [ rec
ognize the right ofmy constituents to ex-
press their opinion as to my course. am
your political servant, you are the sover-
eigns. [ would add, also, that have no
doubt that those by whom this movement
was commenced, are actuated by a sense
of pnblic duty in the course they have ia
ken; but i'll my judgment, they have too
hastily hurried to their conclusions. | do
not think they have read my letter with
due care.
Fellow-citizens, before this great contest
commenced, l, as your representative,
surveyed the scene, and endeavored then
to determine what policy was proper in
view of the great revolution evidently APP
preaching. | was greatly impressed with
the idea that it was our interest to divide
the North-that, being a weaker power, it
was prudence on our part so to direct our
public course as to induce discussions and
division in the North, and create a party
there which should sympathize with u.s.
Before secession took place, therefore,
adopted policy which surprised many. l
observed that the ground on which the
Republican party was advancing, referred
wholly to the extension of slavery in the
territories, and believing that to be a bar
rem issue, l declared my sentiments. l
stated that nature herself, with her vast
. mountains and broad plains, interposed an
obstacle to the extension of slavery in the
Northwest, and thus the question was one
about which we, practically, need have
given ourselves no concern. While was
condemned for this view, you did not hold
public meeting for the purpose, but in
one OF the papers of Columbia a different
poilcy was announced, and six highly re-
spectacle gentlemen were nominated as
representatives from my district. l said
that our policy at that time was modera-
ton; but one of the gentlemen present
wrote in his journal humorous article,
in which he declared that our policy was
action, action, action. l looked ahead,
and was not so full of the illusions of a
sangnlne temperament as some men in the
South. L appreciated the ipower of the
North, and did not wish to force you in
10 the contest with too great odds against
you, wanted to take all the chances
1 will not now define what was that mol
icy OF moderation but the idea involved
was TO give to the Northwest new strength,
50 that, should war take place, We should