Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-04
Conclusion ola Speechdefivered by Daniel Hsb-
ster IN the Senate of The q. States

Mr. President, have thus stated the reasons
of nv dissent to the doctrines which have been
advanced and maintained. am conscious Of
having detained you, and the Senate, much too
long. vas drawn into the debate, with no
previous deliberaton such as is suited to the dis
cussion OF so grave and important subject
But it is subject of which my heart is full. and
have not been willing to suppress the utterance
of its spontaneous sentiments. cannot. even
now, persuade myself to relinquish it, without
| expressing, once more, my deep conviction. that
since it respects nothing less than the Union of
the States, it is of vital and essential Importance
to the public happiness. profess. sir. in my
career hitherto, to have kept steadily III view the
prosperity and honor Of the whole country, and
the preservation of our Federal Union. 1t is to
that Union we owe our safety at home, and our
consideration and dignity abroad. Ii is to that
Union that we are chiefly indebted for whatever
makes US most proud Of our country. That Uni.
on we reached, only BY the discipline OF our vir-
tues. in the severe school IF adversely. 1t had
its origin in the necessities OF dlsOrdered finance,
PROSTATE commerce, and ruined credit. Under
its benign influences, these great interests inme-
d,ately awoke, as from the dead. and sprang
forth with newness If life. Ever. wear of its du-
ration has teemed with fresh proufs of its utility
stretched out, wider and WIDER. aud our popula.
ton spread farther and farther. they have not out.
run its protection. or ITS benefits |, has been to
US all cOpious fnuntaia of national. social. and
pers happiness. have rot allowed myself,
sir, TO look beyond the Union. to SEE what might
lie hidden in the dark recess behind | have
not coolly weighed the chance, Of preserving IL.
berty, when the bonds that unite US together shall
be broken asunder. have not accustomed nv
self to hang over the precipce of disunion. to
see whether, with my short sight. l can fathom
the abyss below; nor could regard him as sale
counsellor in the affairs of this Governments
whose thought should be mainly bent on consider
ing, not how the Mon should be best preserved,
but how toerable might be the condition Of the
people when it shall be broken up and destroyed.
While the Union lasts, we have high. exciting,
gratifying prospects spread before US, for us and
our children. BeyoRd that seek not to pene.
trate the veil. God grant that, in my day, at
least, that curtain may not rise. God grant,
that on my vision never may be opened what lies
behind. When my eyes shall be turned to be-.
hold, for the last time, the Sun in Heaven. may
| not see him shining on the broken and disho-
nored fragments of a once glorious Union; on
States discovered, discurdant, belligerant; on a
land rent with civil feuds. or drenched, it may
be in fraternal blood! Let their last feeble and
lingering glance, rather, behold the gorgeous En-
sign Of the Republic,-now known aud honored
throughout the earth, still full high advanced, its
arms and trophies streaming in their original us-
ire, not stripe erased or polluted. nor a single
star obscured-bearing for its motto. no such mi
,serabe interrogatory as-H hat is all this ,oorth?
k7Srr those other words Of delusion and folly
! 2erty first. and Union aflernards-but every
ERE, spread all over in characters Of living light,