It is said that this is not a fit time to hold such a conference--not a suitable time to consider the questions now before us. Is there any reason why we should not consider the rights of any section of the country, whether a President is going out or coming in? As one delegate I will not consent to postpone the action necessary to secure our rights for any such reason as this. Now, as to this question of slavery in the Territories. It is true that the Supreme Court has decided it in favor of the South. It is equally true that parties have repudiated that decision both in platforms and on the stump. When territory has been acquired by the blood and treasure of the common Union, you cannot exclude one portion of the _cestuis que trust_ from its rights. The Supreme Court so decided, and its decision was just and equitable. At the South, we ask for our rights _under the Constitution_. We say, let all questions which affect or concern them be decided. The gentleman from Massachusetts says he will not give them up, that his State will not yield. Well, if this is so, let us go to the ballot box. If the question is decided in the gentleman's favor there, _we know how to take care of ourselves_. The gentleman from Massachusetts does not understand this question. He does not understand why we of the South want it--why we must have it settled. There _was_ a time when the embargo law threw our slaves out of employment. The North then contemplated a dissolution of the Union. Why? Because she thought the Government wanted power--was inefficient. Now, there is a sense of insecurity felt throughout the South. Our property is depreciating, going down every day. We feel this want of security very deeply, this want of faith in the Government under which we live. The South is in agitation. Suppose some event should in some way strike down the value of your property at the North. Would you not wish to have its security restored? Would you not call for guarantees? If you would not, you are not men. This is all we want; all we ask for, is security. There is nothing in the territorial question that we may not settle by a fair compromise. The commonwealth of Virginia called this Conference in high patriotism. I have an earnest faith in her sincerity and her purity in doing so. She hoped to meet her sisters animated by the same patriotism--that they would join with her in granting the assurances, in giving the securities we need. Gentlemen, you can give us these securities--these assurances. We shall then go home and tell our people that we can still live on together, in security. Will it do to say that this cannot be done before the inauguration of Mr. LINCOLN? No! No such answer should go to the people of any of the States--no such answer will satisfy them. Give us the guarantees _here_. We will satisfy the people of the whole nation as to the appropriateness of the time.