| Summary: | In his address Cobb insists that the slavery question, the central issue influencing the pending secession of the South, was not answered by the recent presidential election: "But gentlemen say they cannot do anything. They say that the edict went forth on the sixth day of November last; that the people decided such and such questions involving certain principles in reference to the slavery question. I deny that the jury empaneled at that time gave any such verdict. There were other questions in issue which entered into that canvass. I tell you what I believe is the truth, and I tell the country what I believe is right; and I say I do not believe the question of slavery was the only question that was submitted to the people, but that other questions entered into that contest which went far to influence the result." While opposed to a hasty secession, he is prepared to support the South fully when the matter is settled: "If the South have [sic] a constitutional right that slave property, the same as all other property, should be protected within the scope of the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, and the North will not submit to such a constitutional guarantee, in justice and fair dealing, the South ought not to be held to submit to the bonds of union. When it is determined that the North will not live by the Constitution, can it be claimed in fairness that the South shall? If not, then it becomes the North to grant everything that the Constitution secures, or submit with contentment to a dissolution of the Union, and disintegration of the whole national system of Government." Also included is Cobb's formal withdrawal from the House, spoken after Alabama's ordinance of secession had been delivered. He closes this second address with a charge to the Northern representatives to continue working for compromise and resolution: "...for I believe that prayer is going forth continually...that something may be done before the 4th of next month. On that day a convention of southern States assembles at Montgomery for the purpose of forming a provisional government. I beg you to do that which will make it unnecessary for them to take that step, and which will restore the country to a condition of peace and happiness." He addresses the Republicans of the House specifically: "And now, gentlemen of the Republican party, let me say that you have this question in your own hands, and that you can still this storm before the sun shall set to-day...Stand upon your assumed dignity and platform no longer; but come patriotically up to the call of your distracted country, and coming millions shall pronounce you blessed."
|
|---|
