Year: 1860

designate this gallant State somewhat differently.
What the Chevalier Bavard WAS among men,
even so is South Carolina among the States Of
the Union / never did agree with some of
her constitutional theories, but admire her too
much, and am too jealous Of my own honor,
to leave her standing alone to do battle for the
rights of the South, without the earnest synpa-
thy and active aid of Southern State. IN the
last extremity you must join her. Will you
Join her now, to unite the South in defence OF
the Constitution, and to preserve the Union I?
Or will You wait until separate State action
shall force yon to join her, in the midst OF
revolution, for the severance of the Union, and
when divided factions and civil war shall kayc
deprived You, perhaps, of the possibility Of a
united South? Friends Of the Union, which
alternative will you choose?


If YOU choose the frst-if you force South
Carolina to separate State acton-if tho worst
comes to the worst-if You obligc revolution,
and in the midst of revolution itself, You force
me to choose between Massachusetts, and South
Carolina, shall cast my lot with South Caro-
lina But wish to avoid revolution. | wish
now to confer with South Carolina, and unite
her efforts with mine to prevent revolution.
Were member OF the General Assembly, |
would tomorrow propose such a bill. would
propose if, if no onc else would-providing that
the General Assembly should elect commission
ers, having respect in their appointment to all
political sentiments in the Statc-having respect
to the Opposition as well as the Democratic
party--having all parties fairly represented by
commissioners appointed to confer with South
Carolina. To confer about what? would
enact that vour commissioners should confer
the best mode of defending the Constitution of
the United States Of maintaining the Union,
and of restoring it to its original purity; and
that, after fall conference, they should report
back to Virginia the best measures ofresstarcc
to nfiactions of the Constitution and distur-
Dances of the Union. would go further; /
would instrrt them, finally, if they discovered
any existing or apprchepdcd aggrcssions too
imminent for delay, too serious for ordinary
remedies, to report back their views OF the
proper and jlstiiaLlc modes an.l measures Of
redress.


Is any man here afraid Of conference! Are
voua friend of the Union, and yet believe that
the Union is too weak to bear consultation as to
etnr mode and measure of preserving it! DO
Won believe that the Constitution of the United
States has so little potcntaty in it that it will
not bear inquiry as to the best means of guard
inc it? You have no faith in this Union, such
as | havc-you have no confidence in the
stability of the Constitution such rs | have
if You cannot agree with me to trust the de-
fence of both to the consultation of sovereign
States of This Coniedcracy. Appoint Your
commissioners, then. As for me, do not de-
sire to hc one Of these commissioners. Not
that desire to avoil the responsibility. |
never Shrink from responsibility. But admit
to Won that do dcsirc to be left free to udec
of the action Of these commissioners, and if their
recommendations are trustworthy, wish to be
untrammccd in urging their acceptance by
thS people Of Virginia. Take your best men.
Send Your two Senators il they will 90. Then
take some sound, conservative Constitution
luYing Wing. Send Il commission composed
of three or five members, taken in such proper
ton from political parties as the General Assem-
bly, shall determine, and would appoint these
commissioners by the General Assembly and
by law. No one man should be permitted to
select such functionarics.


Yon must unite the South to save the Union.
DO You fear that the proposed conference mny
serve to unite the South for the purpose of dis
unionl This is prcpostcrous. No dclibcrativc
BODY, 10 conference no convention ever yet
made revolution or ever will will tell you
what will make revolution. Leave people
to suffer from wrong, and withhold from thom
their peaceful and legitimate remedies. Con
tinue this and vou will find meu of courage