The North Carolina Standard

Letter from Hon. W. B. Shepard.

Elizabeth City, April 6th, 1850.

Gentlemen:—I have received your letter of the 26th ult. inviting me, “in behalf of the citizens of the old Mecklenburg district,” to be present at a Convention to be held in Charlotte, on the 23d inst., for the purpose of appointing delegates to the Nashville Southern Convention. I regret that business of an imperative character will compel me to go in another direction about that time, else I would be tempted, in spite of the great distance, to be present with you on so important an occasion. Old Mecklenburg has claims upon the patriotic heart of a North Carolinian, which will entitle her to a much longer pilgrimage by all who venerate her former action. I am glad to see the children of that cradle of American Independence are about sending deputies to the Nashville Convention. I wish the whole State would follow their example. I see many reasons in favor of such a measure, and no solid objection to it. Associated action for the purpose of effecting an important object, is one of the wisest discoveries of modern civilization: to it must be attributed most of the improvements of our times. This matter is very well understood at the North, but I am sorry to say but little known or practiced at the South. At the North, whenever it is intended to act with efficiency upon the general Government, individuals know well how to combine or associate together, that their action may be felt. This we have seen for years past. Whenever the policy of the Government has come in conflict with any great Northern interest, immediately that interest combines and associates together, and speaks to the Government in such a manner that its voice must be heard and listened to. It was but the other day the great iron interest of Pennsylvania, and other States, assembled at Pittsburg, and uttered its grievances; a few months previous, delegates were flocking from the North and West to St. Louis, to force upon the Government a mammoth scheme for a rail road to California; and a short time previously, Mr. Polk's veto upon the harbour bill roused an indignation North and West, which assembled in Convention at Chicago, and spoke in a voice that was neither misunderstood nor unheeded. For thus consulting, about their own affairs and interests, these people were not charged with desiring disunion or committing acts of treason; and yet, when the great slaveholding interest of this nation, the most defenceless in its nature and character, is attacked by an unprovoked and malignant foe—a foe rapidly getting control of the Government—the cry of disunion is most unjustly and unfairly raised against it, because it proposes to associate and consult for its better protection and defence.

The National Intelligencer, a paper which circulates extensively throughout the South, with a view of throwing odium on the Southern Convention and distracting the minds of the Southern people, has lately been running a parallel between that and the Hartford Convention of unenviable notoriety, and concludes its article by preferring the patriotism of the latter. These gentlemen, in their great desire to apologise for the Hartford Convention and prejudice the Southern, forgot to mention that the odium attached to the Hartford Convention arose exclusively from the fact that at the time of its assembling the country was engaged in a desperate conflict with the most powerful nation of the world—a conflict the issue of which was extremely doubtful; and a brave and generous public then thought and yet think, that whatever might be the peculiar grievances of the New England people, the midst of the din of battle and struggle for existence, was not a proper time to dispute with their friends. And if I do not mistake the patriotic and generous character of the Southern people, the time will come when those who oppose the Nashville Convention, will be regarded as not sufficiently sensitive to the honor and interest of their country. The time proposed for the assembling of the Nashville Convention, is one of profound peace. The Government is all-powerful—the slaveholding interest is scattered over a great surface and notoriously defenceless—the prejudices of the rest of the world are against it; and if those whose duty it is to guard and protect it, dare not combine and associate for that purpose, its fate is inevitable. Our people are ardently and justly attached to the Union of the States. Its value is inestimable, and in my judgment the assembling of a Southern Convention, so far from enfeebling the Union, will tend immeasurably to strengthen it, by convincing the Northern disorganizers that we are united and determined to resist all unconstitutional assaults upon our rights and property.

History teaches us that the best way to invite aggression and insult, is to exhibit weakness and distraction.

In the language of Mr. Webster in his late patriotic speech, “I am bound to believe that if the worthy gentlemen meet at Nashville in Convention, their object will be to adopt counsels conciliatory.”

If there is any interest in this country which peculiarly needs that protection and security which is derived from association and combination, that interest is the Slaveholding. Our planters generally reside isolated upon their plantations. They are a confiding race of people, and have comparatively little intercourse with the rest of the world; the danger of their present situation is, as Mr. Webster said of Texas, “a snap judgment” may be taken upon them. It is in consequence of their indifference, heretofore, that the slave question has been so badly managed in Congress. Had they exercised a proper vigilance, it never would have been mixed up with the mere party politics of the day, nor would it now be agitated on the floor of Congress, threatening the Union with destruction. I am glad to see from your letter that you propose to hold a Convention composed of both the great political parties. It will be a sad day for North Carolina, when the ordinary blindness and rancour of party shall mark the discussions and action on this subject.

In conclusion of this hastily written letter, I would say that having but little direct pecuniary interest in the question of slavery, and with no desire for public life, I think I can view this subject as dispassionately as most men; and from all the consideration I have been able to give it, I am decidedly of opinion that unless the people themselves, who are interested in this question, do associate and combine for their own protection, the day is not far distant when an irresponsible government, actuated by a false philanthropy, will reduce the Southern planting interest to the same condition of poverty and helplessness, which England's misrule has entailed upon her West India Colonies.

Should the Convention assemble in Nashville, and produce no other result, it will unite the South, and strengthen the influence of those Southern gentlemen in Congress who are contending for the rights of their constituents, and convince the North that upon this question, we know no party but that of our own country.

Respectfully, your ob't serv't,

WM. B. SHEPARD.