Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-03-01

forces acted and re-aeted upon each esher on.n
thav assumed one common direction.-the desHuc-
ton of the government But fortunately fors sns
country some of her truly nee we're ra t
msssive intellect enriched wifk mpsnse stores Of
constitutional learning, ana. with heart tual; OF
the patriotism of the oIden times. !he1e was
Douelss-the great pc pular. !leadeeDf the Nortn-
westowith all the energy and power OF yopth con
trolled by the wisdom of the sage. his, nope
heart knew no feeling of seetionalism, Dut s"ehed
with love and pride tor.his whole country. Anu
there too was the glorious old statesman OF tne'
est, with an eioquence superior to that OF Chat
ham, and with Q patriotism almost equal to that OF
Washington. He had, often stood nebly 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 isDor
and enfeebled with age ha had retired to his nome
in peace and qpietude to die, but the agonzlng cry
of his county called him again into her serslc"'
He found the noble old ship Of constitutional hoer
ty reeling and staggering amidst the breakers ot
disunon, and with the skill and power OF former
years, he grasped the helm and brought her safely.
to the port of security and pesce.l =.
The adoption of tho compromise measures again
saved the country from disunion. The people
everywhere sanctioned them, and the nation was full
of 10y: and hope. But in an evil hour the Missouri
compromise repealed, and again the food gates
OF tanaticsm and sectionalism were opened up, and
the wild waves Of popular passion came in, to
dssoate the land and deuge it with blood and tears
/ have often heard Judge Douglas say, that the
repeal If the Missouri compromise was the greatest
error of his political life His agency in this matter
was not without palliating causes. He firmly be-
leved that if the slavery question remained in Con-
gress, it would finally produce disunon, and he was
exceedingly anxious that the doctrine of 'onsnter-
pention should be fully established. The promi
nent secession leaders promised him, that if The
Missouri compromise was repealed; then the doc
trine of non-interyention would be adopted by the
South and become the settled policy of the country.
But they xdisregarded the promises when their ends
were accomplished. They now determined to de-
mand the new doctrine OF Congregational protection
for slacery in the territories on the high seas, and
in the aoitisrness This new doctrine broke up the
Democratic party, strengthened the Republican
party ensured the election Of Lincoln and this ter
rible war was began.
MIR. Speaker, 1 have made this party reference
to the history Of slavery, 10 show thst is danger
GUS question, and ought to b. acted upon with
great caution. It, is magazine full of explosive
elements, and should be rsnoyed as far aspossble
from the,hery passions of political discussion. Its
overzeaous friends have been its greatest enemies
and if its overthrow il accomplished it will be
| by their intemperats nrdor and want of wisdom
The prejudices Of the civilized world are against-it
and its only safety is in the comparative ebserty of
| State legislation. The history of slavery in the
United States may be its history the Confederate
States unless We profit by experience, and guard
againt the numerous errors of the past All of the
| States of the Gontederacy are now interested in
slavery, but this condition Of affairs will not long
remain. The insecurity of slave properly in the
border States on account of their proximity to the
tree States, will greatly lessen its value and drive
it to localities further removed from danger, and
where it can be used with superior advantage and
| profit The burden States are also we'll adapsed to
manufactures which can be carried on most success
fully with white labor. By the operation of natu
raj causes these States will becomefree States
and have the same diversity of interests with the
Cotton States, existed between the Northerp.an
Southern States of the old Union. And if thi.
vexedsluesou of slavery is 10 be involved with the
political affairs of the nation it will be the constant
cause of sectional irritation, and produce numerou,
dangers. II it was sufficient to break up the ole
government in which the right of secession never
existed it will most surely be able to disrupt unior
ofthe States in which the doctrineis recognized
Secession at all times and in every government vii
inevitably lead to war and its calsmties and hor
rors. In the outset of our new government W.
must settle this question Of slavery definitely ane
forever; we must take it from the halls of naliona
legislation or it will be legacy of msfortunes e
: pusterity. .--.-..-
Mr.. Speaker, if we concede to the Coufederat,
government thepower to interfere will and to an
extent with the slave property OF the CITIZEN we
tnce recede from our former position and acknowl
edge before the world that the Republican part,
right and we were wrong, and that this rsv6lu
ton was commenced without sufficient cause
Whenever we make this admission either by wort
or deed our cause at once becomes hopeless-on
moral power will be goue-and the most DARN,
efforts of physical endurance and courage canno
avert our doom. All well established. government
are opposed to the spirit Of revolution for most O
them have felt its desolating power. Arev"uto!
cannot be successful unless the struggling peopI
united in heart and soul and can claim the sym
pathies of nations tor the justice OF their cause. w
commenced thiswar to protect and perpetuate the
stitution of slavery, and if subvert this nsti
tuition by the action of orr government, how can w
justify ourselves before the tribunal of nationsi
will suppose chat we send an ambassador to Eng
land to explain our neU position. l select Englsn'
because that nation is the best acquainted with tn
true principles Of civil liberty. will further sup
pose that the premier, extends to our embassado
the courtesy Of q hearing-aud will give in tn
form ola dialogue what conceive will be tho sub
stance of the conference if the truth is fully spoken
Premier am surprised ut the sudden chang
made in the politics ofyour country. Your govern
menl has assumed the entire control Of the slav
property of the citizen. It puts the negro in tn
army as soldier and then emancipates him withou
the consent OF the owner. The Republican part
claimed no such right before the war, and eve
nov it only justi6es its action as q war MEASURE
You certainly did not begin this war to prevent az
pretended dangers to slavery What is the rel
cause2 :. - -
ambassador. Tosecure our rights. 800
P. What rights were violatedl We people Q
England understand fully the great doctrines
civil liberty. They cost our ferefathers blood
struggle of full five hundred years.-aRd we kno
how to value their blessings, and we desire to sc
them extended and perpetuated in every land. Th
three great principles Of civil liberty as laid dow
by our wise commentators upon that subject, are
"ths right of personal libery-the rights Of person
al securty-and the rights Of private property
Was the personal liberty Of your people violated
the suspension Of the:wrt Of habeas corpus, Il
refusal Of the ri ght Of trial by jurya
, E. No. The writ of ;Aa6eas corpus and trial
jury were always held by our government, as
cred and inviolabe. Our people were as free in tt
enjoyment of every right of personal liberty tt