Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-02-28

10 fire The. Southern heart These two opposing
forces acted and reacted upon each other until
they assumed one common direction-the destruc-
ton of the government But fortunately for the
country some of her truly great men were then
living and n her service. There was Webster with
massive intellect enriched with immense stores of
constitutional learning, and with heart full of
the patriotism of the olden times. There
Douglas-the great popular leader of the North
west-with all The energy and power of youth con-
trofled by the wisdom of the sage. His noble
heart knew no feeling of sectionalism, but sweled
With love and pride for his whole country. And
there too was the glorious old statesman of the
west, with an eloquence superior 10 that OF Chat
ham, and with q patriotism almost equal to that of
Washington. He had often stood nobly and brave
" By his country in her hours of darkness and of
danger, and enabled her to triumph over enemies
abroad and enemies at home Exhausted with labor
and enteebled withage he had retired to his home
~ peace and quietuue to die, but the agonizng cry
OF his couniry called him again into her service.
re found The noble old ship of constitutional iber-
" reeling and staggering amidst the breakers of
dlsunloR, and with the skill and power of former
years, he grasped the helm and brought her salely
q the port OF security and peace.
lhe adoption Of the comproniss measures again
a4Ie4 ne connlry from disuniou. The people
- 1E1. sanctioned them, and the nation VAS fun
Jo5 7alit But IL g hmm t6a AIiss6usf
compromise was repealed, and again the food eates
OF tanaticism and sectionalism were opened up and
the Wild waves of popular passion came in, to
edesolate the land and deluge it with blood and ears
l have often heard Judge Douglas say, that the
repeal Ct the Missouri compromise was the greatest
error OF his political life. His agency in this mater
was not without palliating causes. He firmly be-
heVed that If the slavery question remained In Con-
gress, it would finally produce disuniUn, and he was
exceedingly anxious that the doctrine of non inter
Uenta0" should be fully established. The promi.
nent secession leaders promised him, that if the
Missouri compromise repealed, then the doc
triue of pon-interventiOn would be adopted by the
South and become the settled policy of the country
But they dlsregarded the promises when their ends
were accomplished. They now determined to de-
mand the new doctrine Of Congressional protection
JoT Slavery IN tie territories the high seas and
in tie WihteraeSs This new doctrine broke up the
Democratic party, strengthened the Republican
party, ensured the election of Lincoln and this ter
rible was began.
Mr.. Speaker, 1 have made this party reference
To the history OF slavery, 10 show that it is danger
GUS question, and ought to be acted upon wilh
great caution. 1t is a magazine full of explosive
elements, and should be removed as far possible
from the hery passions of political discussion Its
over.zealous friends have been It's greatest enemies
and If Its overthrow is ever accomplished it will be
by their intemperats ardor and want of wisdom
The prejudices of the civilized World are against it.
and It's only safety in the comparative obscurity of
State legislation. The history Of slavery in the
United States may be its history in the Confederate
States unless We profit by experience, and guard
asaint the numerous errors of tue past All of the
States OF the ContederScy are now interested in
slavery, but this condition OF affairs will not long
remain. The insecurity of slave property in the
border States on account of their proximity to the
tree States will greatly lessen its value, and drive
1t to localities further removed from danger, and
where it can be used with superior advantage and
profit The bUrdec States are also we'll adapted to
manufactures, which can be carried most success
fully with white labor. By the Operation of nslu-
raj causes these States will become free States
and have the same diversity of interests with the
Cotton States, as existed between the Northern and
Southern States OF the old Union. Aud il this
veXed question of slavery is 10 be involved with the
political affairs of the naIion it wall be the
cause OF sectional irritation, and produce numerous
dangers. If it was sufficient 10. break up the old
government in which the right OF secession never
existed, 1t will most surely be able disrupt union
othe States in which the doctrine fully recognized
Secession at all times and in every government will
inevitably lead to war and its calamties and hOr-
rOrs. In the outset OF our new government We
must settle this question of slavery definitely and
forever we must take it from the nails Of national
legislation, or it will be legacy Of mistorunes 70
posierity.
Mr. Speaker, if we concede to the Confederate
government thepower to interfere at will and to any
extent with the slave property OF the citizen, we
Cnce recede from our former position and ackDowl-
edge before the world that the Republican party
right and We were wrong, aDd that this rsV'lu
ton was commenced without sufficient cause
Whenever make this admission either by word
or deed, our cause at once becomes hOpeless-our
moral power will be goue-and the most daring
efforts of physical endurance aud courage cannot
avert dUom. All well established gOvernIu eats
are opposed to the spirit OF revolution, for most of
them have felt its IeSolating power. revolution
cannot be successful unless the, struggling people
are united in heart and soul and can Gain the SYM
pathies of nations TOR the justice OF their We
commenced thiswar to protect and perpetuate the in
stuton ofslayery, and if now subVert this insti
tuition by the action OF our government how can we
Justify ourselves before the tribunal Of nationst
will suppose that we send ambassador to Eng
land to explain our peU position. l seiect England
because that nation is the best acquainted with the
true principles of civil liberty. will further sup
pose that the premier, extends to our ambassador
the courtesy OF hearIng-aud | will give in the
form OF dialogue what | conceive will be the sub
stance of the conference if the truth is fully spoken.
Premier. l am surprised at the sudden change
made in the politics ofyour country. Your govern
menI has assumed the entire control of the slave
property of the citizen. 1t puts the negro in the
army as soldier and then emancpates hun without
the consent Of the owner. The Republican party
claimed no such right before the war, and even
now 1t only justi6es its action as war measure
You ceraioy did not begin this war 10 prevent ap-
pretended dangers to slaVerys What is the real
cause?
ambassador. To secure our rights.
p What rights were violatedl We people of
England understand fully the great doctrines of
civil liberty They cost fVrefathers bloody
struggle of full five hundred years-and we know
how 10 value their blessings, and we desire to see
them extended aud perpetuated in every land The
three great principles of civil liberty as, laid down
by our wise commentators upon that subject, ars -
sths right of personal iberty-he rights of pers
al seeuriy-and the rights of private p'Operty- >
Was the personal liberty of your people violates by
the suspension of the writ of hGbeas corpus or the
refusal of the ri ght of trial BY juryH
L. No. The writ of ha6eas corpus and trial by
Jury were always held by our government, aS sa.
cred and nviolable. Our people were free in the
enjoyment Of every right of personal liberty the
breezes that blow over our mountains.
p In this respect your revolution is without JUS
tification, and you have certainly gained but httIt
by the war. Did our government violate an Of
your rights Of personal security or refuse 10 give