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1 R. M. T. Hunter, Democratic Demonstration at Poughkeepsie: Speech of Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia 1 (1856)

handle is hein.slavery/ddpgksrmt0001 and id is 1 raw text is: THE DEMOCRATIC DEMONSTRATION AT POUGIKEEPSIE. SPEECH OF HON. R. M. T. HUNTER, OF VIRGINIA. FELLOW-CITIZENS: In response to your invitation, I appear before you this day to address, for the first time in my lifE, a popular assembly without the borders of my own State. I have refrained heretofore, not from any want of interest in whatever concerned a sister State, but from a feeling that it might seem an intrusion in me to offer counsel to those who had so many better advisers at home. But the present is no ordinary occasion. We have reached, in my opinion. a solemn crisis in public affairs. An issue has been made which may involve the fate of the Union itselF. The public mind may be hurried to conclusions which may prove in the last degree mischievous and dangerous to all that American patriots and statesmen have been accustomed to hold dear. Under these circumstances, I bad felt that it was a duty which the States of this Union owe to each other, to interchange opinions fully, frankly, and candidly. For one, sirs, I should not be afraid to trust the decision of any question to the people, i it could be fairly presented to them, and when they are fully acquainted with the real state of the facts. But I fear that the American people are not acquainted with public sentiment in other sections than their own. This, sirs, is one of the considerations which has brought me here this day. I wvish to put you in a stand-point, from which you may see the southern view of this question, upon the other side of which y ou have heard so much. I wish to make a plea in favor of this mighty Union, before it be further imperilled and endangered. [Cheers. I I wish to speak in behalf of this great scheme of' .Government which has contributed so much to the improvement and happiness of the American people, ere it may be too late forever. In executing this task I wish, as a solemn duty not only to you, but to myself, to speak out fully, truly, and frankly. If, in speaking of this great question, I should handle topics (and I must touch them) which are delicate, and should perchance say anything that is unpalatable, I hope that much wil be pardoned to the great cause I appear before you to advocate. I trust that no man will do me the injustice to assert that anything which I may say will be said in any other but a spirit of perfect respect and kindness to you all. Now, sirs, I need not say that this great issue is arising out of the disturbed question of African sla- very upon this continent. But how and by whom it has been formed Reproduced with permission from the University of Illinois at Chicago

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