The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-05-01

! mpst be abandoned, let the Union go-the
policy / will not abandon. When the period
shall arrive that this body shall be driven
f, from the discharge of its duty by such an in
iueuce, you will have neither Government
nor Union left. The one will be liieless
form, the other but a name. You will have
no motive to keep together, but the wretched
consolation Of companionship in misfortune
and disgrace. If the honorable Senator from
South Carolina will advert TO the appalling
picture which he presented Of the desolation
hich is to be visited upon New England
when this policy of protection is abandoned,
and will present TO me the alternative Of dis
solution on the one hand, and the surrender
of the constitutional powers of this Govern
ment, and the utter ruin and desolation OF
my native land on the other, he will pardon
the declaration that if the Union is to be pre-
served only at such sacrifices, 10 Gods name
let disuDion come.
But, sir, | have no fears on this subject
Much is said of certain spirit prevailing at
the North. This, too, is said to threaten the
integrity of this Union. 1t is said there is
fanatcism and folly there. Ifso regret it
Would to God there were fanaticism and fol-
ly no where else in this country. There
will be everywhere periods OF excitement and
extravaganza. Ii is idle to attempt TO pre-
vent it, and it is useless to be alarmed. Sir,
profess to know something of the people of
the North. They are people not to be muz-
zled The peculiar Institutions of the South.
and the peculiar institutions Of any other
people in which they take an interest, they
will discuss freely and boldly. The enjoy
ment of their own opinion, and the free ex-
preston of that opinion, upon any great CUES
ton of moral right, of philanthrophy, or pol
tical expediency, is a right which they will
never surrender. But / know, also, their
attachment to the Constitution and the
Union. It'll an attachment which no spirit of
fanaticsrn can overcome. They are people
devoted to law and order. They know their
own rights, and they know and respect the
rights OF others. There will be no uGauthor-
lied interference with the powers of self-gov-
eminent, conceded to the people of the
South. They have 4 reueration for the Con-
stitution, and viii not violate its guarantees.
And / assure the Senator that he need feel
no alarm from that source-no sacrilegious
hand from that quarter will be laid upon the
altar.
have as little fear. sir of threats from an
other quarter. know the patriotism Of the
honorable Senator himself. | know the pat
riotism Of his constituency. They are not
yet prepared TO Dissolve this glorious Union. |
Excited and hasty they may be, but the pc
riod Of returning sanity will arrive; they
will pause before the fatal work is commenc-
ed.
have full confidence tina, they will submit |
to the will of the majority, constitutionally /
expressed. The Senator will permit me to !
go further: am confident that the period is
not far distant when they will be satisfied that /
the policy which now advocate is the true !
policy Of the country, and when they will !
unite with me in sustaining it.
Sir, these threats Of dissolution, come from
what source they may, are but idle wind
We may talk OF dissolution-we may buster
and threaten, but that man does not live, at
east in this country, who dares be the first te
lift his hand to execute the threat.
II was with infinite regret that | heard the
declaration Of the honorable Senator from
South Carolina, that il he failed in his efforts
10 PROSTATE this system of policy, he would
shake off the dust Of his feet as a testimony
.gainst US, and leave these Halls forever. Sir,
trust the Senator will reconsider that reso-
u.ion. | trust he will not withdraw from
he public councils the aid OF his great talents
lnd long experience, simply because his own
peculiar opinions cannot in all respects be
adopted. That he will remain at his post,
md unite with me in sustaining the Consttu-
ion and the Institutions of the country. We
will shake off the dust of our feet only when
We shake off this "mortal coil;" and even
hen VIC will leave our dying injunction upon
our children, to stand by the Constitution as
We have done, and our last prayer shall be
hat it may endure torerer.