Year: 1861

!. but two years since there was an armed in
vasion of my State for the purpose "f excit
ing a servile iDsurrectiOn, yet not state
and it is with the states alone that eaectua


remedies can be applied-nOt a state tool
measures to prevent any such invasion il
times to come. Instead, we heard it an.


nOunced that there was an irrepressiblt


conflict between the two social systems


until one or the other must give way. A


President has been nominated and elected
by q sectional majority. who is known to


have avowed and entertained such opinions
A party has now come into power with ful


possession of the powers of this government
who have elected candidate who has made


such declarations with regard to the rights


of the South. Is it surprising, then, that
the southern states should think it not safe


to remain in government which may di-


rect an instrument of hostility against us,


and that they should say that it is not safe


to remain under a government of Presi-
dent who may misuse the power and pat
ronage for the very purpose OF creating
strife between US, and civil war among US ?
1t is known that many members OF the Re
publican party endorsed and recommended
a book which advocated the extinction of
slavery by such means. Is it then safe for
the south to remain under such a govern
ment unless we can be protected? The
southern states have within themselves all
! the capacities of empire, and is it to be
supposed that, when they are threatened in
our government with an attack on the very
system upon which their social existence
depends, that they would not withdraw and
establish another in which they know they
can and will be protected? The social
system of government is its moral being,
and government that would dwarf and
suppress it is like o parent that would con-
sign his child to vice and infamy. have
known governments that have survived
when their allegiance has been transferred,
but know of none which has survived the
sudden and total prostratiOn of its social
system. say, therefore, that the South is
bound to take this course, unless it can get
some guarantee that will protect it in the
Union-some constitutional guarantee that
will serve that end.


THE REMEDY FOR THE EVILS UPON US.


now ask what should be the nature of
the guarantee that would effectually protect
our social system from such assaults as
these They must be guarantees of kind
that will stop up all the avenues through
which they threaten to assail the social
system of the South. There must be con-
stitutional amendments which should pros
vide, first, that Congress shall have no
power to abolish slavery in the States, or
in the District of Columbia, or the dock.
yards, forts and arsenals of the United
States. Second. Congress shall not abolish
tax or Obstruct the slave trade between the
states. Third, it shall be the duty of each
of the states to suppress combination with.
in its jurisdiction for the armed invasion of
any other state. Fourth, States shall be
admitted with or without slavery, according
to the election of the people. Fifth, it shall
be the duty of the states to restore fugitive
slaves, or pay the value of the same. Sixth,
fugitiyes from Justice shall be deemed to be
those who have offended the laws of the
state within its jurisdiction, and have
escaped therefrom. Seventh, Congress
shall recognise and protect as property
what is held to be such by the laws of
any state, in the territories, dockyards,
arsenals, forts, and wherever the United
States has exclusive jurisdiction. These are,
of course, liable to exceptions. First, Con-
gress may leave slavery to the people of the
territories when they shall be ready to pass
into the condition of State, with the usual
sanction of majority of Senators from the
ron.slaveholding States. This exception is
designed to apply to those cases when we
annex a country, and they are not quite
ready to come in as state. The next ex-
ception is that Congress may divide the
territol les 80 that slavery shall be prohibited


in one portion, and shall be recognized and
protected in the other; provided the law is
sanctioned By majority of Senators. This
exception is intended to apply to cases when
unpeopled territory is annexed and is subject
to fair division between sections. Such are
the guarantees Of principle which it seems
to me ought to be established by amend
ments to the constitution. But l do not
believe that these guarantees alone would
protect the social system of the South
against an attack to overthrow it by the
superior power of the North. believe, in
addition to these guarantees of principle


there ought to be guarantees of power.
Otherwise, this social system might find
itself in position when the stronger party
might construe these guarantees of principle
away, and assert higher law. TO make it
secure, then, some power ought to be given
to enable US to preserve the system in the
Union. And here, if the Senate will bear
with me. l will proceed to suggest
such remedies as I think ought to be
applied. l do not mean, by any
means, to say that 1 suppose 1 am
suggesting the only means upon which a
settlement could be made. l know there
are others upon which could agree to set-
tie. But am suggesting the means upon
which think the best settlement can be made
do not believe any permanent peace can
tees of power as we'll as principle. 10 the
FIRST place, would resort to dual Execu.
tive, as proposed by Mr.. Calhoun, but in
another form. would provide that each
section should electa President, to be called
the first and second President, the first to
serve lor four years, and the President next
succeeding him to serve for four other years,
and afterwards be re-eligible. During the
| term Of the first President, the second should
be President OF the Senate, having cast
| ing vote in case of tie. No treaty should
be valid which did not have the signature
of both Presidents and be sanctioned by
two-thirds of the Senate. No law should
be valid which was not signed by both
Presidents, or, in the event of veto, be
passed by the sanction of a majority of the
Senators from the section from which he
came. And no officers should be appointed
unless with the sanction of both Presidents,
| or the sanction of majority of the Sena-
tors from whence they are appointed. And
,;ue 7 rDoull choooo hoH Tho p0uor