Year: 1860

brilliant speech in the House of Represen ntatives


on the 29th of December We have the speech


in full before us but only give the concluding


remarks. Mr.. Pryor said:


But, sir, it is untrue, in every sense untrue,
that any man in the South ever adopted Seward s
idea of the "irrepressibe conflict. On the con-
trary, we deny that the subordination of negro


slavery is repugnant to the principles OF civil lib
erty, contending, rather that it constitutes the
most solid and staple basis of free government.
and is instrumental in the highest development
of civilization We deny that slavery Is repug-
nant to the Constitution, since, in tact, the most
essential principle Of the Constitution-the prin-
ciple of representation-reposes upon a recognl-
ton of slavery, and its most guarded guarantees
are for the protection of slavery. We deny that
slavery oppose any impediment to the progress
of the Republic, forasmuch rs in conjunction With


slavery and mainly by the aid of slavery, the Re-
public has already realized the most brilliant
promise of national glory. We deny that any an
tagonism subjects between the social systems OF
the opposite sections. We deny that the rights


OF tFse Sonsh are incompatible with the interests
of the North. IN fact the resources of one sec
ton exactly responsive to the Deficiencies OF
the other. Our economy Of labor, disciplined and


steady and unfailing, is an indispensable auxilry


to the adventurous and educated industry of the
North. We plant and produce, they fetch and


fabricete. We supply the solid basis they the
decoration OF the Corinthian capital The ever
active and turbulant spirit of free labor IN the
North would precipitate the social system into
anarchy if it were not counteracted and controll-
ed by the conservative interests of slave labor in
the South.


This is my opinion of the harmonious relations


logically existing between the two sections of the
ConfedeTacy


Nevertheless, sir say there is an 'irrepress'-


bic conhit :" bnt it is an irrepressIbEe conflict
between the provisions of the Constitution. the
rights of the South, and the interests OF the In
ION on the one hand and on the other the ideas
and aims, the principles and purposes OF the


Black Republican party. When weconten1plate


the rapid and uninterrupted aggrandizement Of
this party, rushing like the Propontis in ebbless
flow and in its resistles5 course. sweeping away
every barrier of right, reason, and constitutional
sestraint; when we see it satisfied by conces-
sion, and propitated by no adjustment, all the
little "compromises' of cobbllng politicians in
stead of arresting the inundatlon, on y serving to
fret the fanaticism of anti-savery into stronger
and more turbulant stream, when we find that
the audacity of its pretens ons rises with the de
velopmcnt of its power. when, after demollshlng
the outposts of slavery it its purpose to


pei the South from the common domain of the
Confcderacy, and to employ the agency of the


Federal Government tor the determination OF sla-


very in its stronghold in the face of these facts
facts of portentous signfcane-we forced


to the conclusion that, between the South, and
the dominant party of the North, there does in
deed rage an inevitable and "irrcpressible con-


lict' Optimists may be deceived, by the eddies
along tide bank. into the idea that the stream IS
running backward; but whoever looks out upon
the true current and volume of waters will admit
that the course of ant slavery is ever and increas
ingly onward. Action and reaction, flux and re-
hux. is the law of progress. AS we stand upon
the beach contemplating the mighty movements
of ocean, observe 2 regular repetition of reflu
ent waves but for all that. our little landmarks
will be soon swept away by the aspiring sea. So
with the usurpations of this ani-savery party ;
except we get beyond theirreacb, they will speed
lily overWhe I'm all our rights.


Sir. believe me- the South understands the cri-
sis as represent it, and is bracing her energies
for the inevitable struggle. If you will not take
my word, be admonished by more authentic and
authOritive manifestations. Listen to the voice
of the people in primary meetings.; hear the
concentrations of our State Executives; recount
the enactments Of our State Legislatures-.ll an
imated with the single spirit of RESISTANCE. and
all contemplating the single object of PREPARA-
TION-be instructed. beseech you by the sig
nif cance of these ominious developments, and re-
trace your march of encroac1ncr1t bufUIu the II
revocable die is cast


If this avail not for the salutatory lesson. recol
lect the effect of the explosion at Harpers Ferry
remember with what alacrity the people OF Fr
ginia answered to the call of patriotism with
how quick an impulse of sympathy the shock OF
collision in our Northern frontier vibrated through
out the limits of the Commonwealth, awakening
a universal response of resentment and indigna-
ton with what ardor and unanimity her gallant
sons preciptated themselves in military array
the point of expected attack, ready and resolute
Yindcate the honor OF the South from the threat
of insult Or the shadow of aggression.


In conclusion, would address single word
to the Representatives. the southern Opposition;
it is word of ancable expostulation and frater-
nal entreaty. Among our constituency there is
difference of sentiment, no division of party.
Why, then, may we not import hither and repre-
sent here, some image and accent of the divine
harmony which prevails in the bosom of the peo-
pie Under the pressure of this supreme neceSsi-
ty let close up the trivial differences of party,
and collect our energies for their most effective
exertions; that whatever be the issue, we
may accept it well with the repose of conscious
strength as with the dignity Of conscious right.
Unity is the solitary need of the South. With
she may await the! signal from the adversary with
out momentary nnisgiving of the result Speak
ing the suggestion Of the gentleman from
Pennsylvania, | affirm, that eight million free
men, educated to the use of arms, animated with
the invincible valor of highsouled sensibiity,
and united by the ties of fraternal sympathy in
the defence of everything dear to the soul Of hon
whatever, least of all by miscellaneous mob of
crazy fanatics aud conscience stricken traitors
And, with the resources ofstrength which abound
in the limits of the southern States, an imperial
domain, every diversity of climate, and every
variety of prOduction-especially a monopol: of
the staples which rule the commerce of the world
with these Incompatible advantages, it is pos
sible, if need be- to organize a confederacy out
ofour own resources. and to rear fabric of gov
ernment which shall survive the lapse Of ages
and renew with brighter illustration the repub-
lcan glory OF antiquity.


WoRKNIEN IN PARIS.-An inquiry was lately
opened to ascertain the number of working people
male and female, in Paris in order to know What


aton by the extension of the city. The num-
Der is found to be about 100000. 1t has been