Journal of proceedings of the Southern Convention, at its adjourned session : held at Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 11, 1850, and subsequent days. Page: 4 of 36
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4 JOURNAL OF THNT
not in name merely, but in affection anl truth; that we eS-.
tee:- them, like , B e a" lov ing j:stie, the publ tran.-
quility, and the Union; and of being d;spoed, equaItly with
ourselves, to maintain all, by sustaining the contitiion, the
only means of preserving them. But how fhtall.ii has this
pleasing hope bcen disappointed! How difer. nt the duty
before us! ! The equality of right on the public territory,
to which we are entitled as citizens of this geat conftede-
racy, has been disregu.ded, by the adAilsion of a State into
the Union, embracing almost the whole of it, with a hasty,
unusual, and usurped organization, excluding our property
therefrom. But this wrong., grievous as it is, bears no pro-
po ion to the enormous iniquity meditated against the
slaveholding States, of changing the constitution, and with
jurisdiction acquired in this manner, to destroy an institu-
tion which constitutes, in a principal degree, their wealth,
and brings to those whom its detractors are piea'ed to call
its victims, comforts and happiness unknown to any other
portion of their ra.ce. It must not be expected that me:
who have the spirit and patriotism which ought to below g to
freemen will silently contemplate the impending danger and
not prepare to meet it. The constitution must be preserved
unchanged, and unbroken. Every thing depends on this.
Its fruits, when faithfully administered, attest its value.
What is it which has attracted to our Government the admi-
ration of the world? Not, to be sure, the mere co-operation
of the States, through their representatives, in matters of
government. The great principles of right, j justice, and liber-
ty, which pervade the constitution, and its wise provision for
their wholesome administration, have commanded this admi-
ratioe. These are the attributes which drew to its adoption
the several States which form the confederacy. If we look
at our unparalleled growth in agriculture, commerce and
manufactures, and ask the cause, it is; the effect of the con-
stitution. If we see the people of this broad land, in every
part of it, worshipping the Most High according to the dic
states of their consciences; if prosperity is to be seen every
where, and our commerce moves upon the boom of every
ocean; if iwe have grown in power and strength, comma.nd-
ing the respcet of the most powerful nationas-all-all is the
work of our admirable constitution. If we look around and
ft;d each State moving quietly in its appropriate sphere,
with no erratic motions to bring it into collision with the
rest or any o, them, it is itn the track marked out for it by
the constitution. If Conress, confiuiig itself ia all it
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Southern Convention (1850 : Nashville, Tenn.). Journal of proceedings of the Southern Convention, at its adjourned session : held at Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 11, 1850, and subsequent days., pamphlet, 1850; Nashville, Tenn.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth395255/m1/4/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Schreiner University.