Terry H. Cahal

Terry H. Cahal (1802-1851) was an American jurist and politician in the Antebellum South. He served as the Speaker of the Tennessee Senate and the Chancellor of Tennessee.

Early life
Terry H. Cahal was born on September 4, 1802 in Virginia. He served in the First Seminole War of 1816-1819.

Career
Cahal was a lawyer and politician. He served as a member of the Tennessee twice. He also served as its Speaker once. He subsequently served as the "Chancellor" of Tennessee. In 1833, he warned against secession in the wake of the Nullification Crisis. On slavery, Cahal argued:

"it is not a good institution either for master or servant, but that its abrupt and sudden abrogation would make the condition of both infinitely worse. Who could live in Tennessee if all the negroes, as a degraded class, were set free to remain here? Not I, not you. In our wealthy and densely populated counties free negroes are pests, and for themselves their condition is generally worse than that of the slaves. [...] A great system of law and order cannot be revolutionized at once without the greatest calamities. African slavery must perish. This is destiny, and if you please, progress; but it ought to die naturally and gradually."

Personal life and death
Cahal had a wife, Ann. He died in 1851.