The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-16

christian history he entered nothing loath, | thought
the my helds OF heather mythology And after hay
ing paid proper respect TO certain of their dvines all
the worst OF which were Just like Mr. Polk abuU, and,
and plumber, and unlawful conquest and DOMINION he
finally came to Terminus, who had been taught to be-
lIeve was liked and stationary sort OF deity but the
senator from Ohio put HIM upon his feet (and Terminus
must be under great obligations for supplying him with
feet for he never had any befoe) and says that he too
was like the President and wanted more room, And
having supplied him with feet, he is determined, in order
to make good the comparison that he shall use them
on one foot, with his finger pointed forward to ter
ritory Whether his first movement was upon the terri
tory OF sister republic the senator did not vouchsae
inform us, ] doubt whether such a sister as Mexico
would have been found in the days of Terminus
The senator from Ohio having disposed of his heather
gods, upon their feet and upon their backs
Swallowed FORTH in the of his remarks another
god, one who can receive worship respect toera
tion alteration from methe grim vsaged god of abo.
lition He told if Mexico willing to cede por-
ton OF her territory TO us TO acquire it by
conquest that no treaty could be ratified here, unless
slavery, by fundamental law excluded from it..
lie reminded u.s. in graphic language that the great States
of Ohio, New York, and Pennsy yania, had moved in
this matter and that the free States united upon il
as one man. have seen for long time that this spirit
OF abolition was upon its prow and now see that 1t is
abroad in daylight in the land Heretofore have used
my best efforts to resist this spirit and shall continue to
resist to the last The senator from Ohio sees, in the
further acquisition of territory, the seeds of dissolution
and southern senators pause while yet upon the
brink of their countrys ruin; and reminds them that if
these evils do come upon the country will be owing to
area of slavery and that they will be accountable for
Sir this has been the federal doctrine from the ounda-
ton OF the government, from lis origin, down to the
present time 1t was so when Louisiana was acquired 1t
was so when Florida was purchased 1t was so when
Texas annexed; and 1t was so when title to Ore
gon was under discussion In a word, with certain set
of statesmen it has been ever thus.
In the course of my public life Mr.. President humble
and undistinguished as know has been, have never
pded myself especially upon being southern man,
have been the peculiar advocate of sectional interest
but claiming for myself the proud character of Amer
lean citizen have endeavoed to promote, to the best OF
my ability all the interests OF common country, and to
draw closer and make stronger the fraterna bonds of
our glorious Union was at the south that the light Of
heaven first beamed upon these eyes, and there the
graves of my ancestors, and the graves of my children
there. love the constitution OF my country. 1t is
the best and wisest form of government which the chill
dren Of men, in any age country, have been permitted
to enjoy and my prayer with respects tits, este pepeta
But tell the senator from Ohio, and proclaim to the
world that the time has come when that instrument is
to to have the effect which its usrous authors
designed il to havehat Of securing equal rights to the
States of this Unon and the great essential rights of life
liberty property and reputation to the people OF this
Unon-l say, if by wicked and dangerous construction
of that instrument it is not to accomplish these ends,
would not give rush for the constitution; away with
it If such time has come, shall become sectional in
my views; and while entertain the kindest feelings
wards my fellow IN the free States and the high
est respect and admiration for many of their statesmen,
wipe all trivial fond records away that youth and obser
walton copied there, and the south shallv alone my
memory, my energies, and my eXertions
will never consent that territory, acquired by
blood and common treasure shall be open and free for
the citizens Of one portion of the Union, with their prop
ery, while the citizens of another portion of the Union
and their property to be excluded from it embracing,
as that exclusion would those who have confded their
rights in this particular to me. Were TO yield to such
proposition, should disgrace the blood which
my veins, and be to all the obligations of duty
And in this sentiment the south is united as
go one step further
My experience Of compromises has moi led me to favor
them, or expect much from them Nor am prepared to
say that | shall favor any compromise We have had
two compromises in the history of this country. That Of
1924 inflicted fatal blow upon the rights OF the south
and that of 1882 eoparded the great question of equal
taxation for fifteen years Happily, the latter has been
h cen from e IN woh was mus placed
ton, and the great principles of free trade have rumphed
hope and trust, forever must consider well before
can carry the doctrine of compromise further.
And the senator from Ohio is greatly mistaken in sup
posing that if the mighty evil OF dissolution is to
upon these States and tear them asundcr, (Which may
the Almighty Ruler of nations avert) that he will be able
to throw the responsibility the south, the admin
straton. Not so, sir. tell him, if his gloomy appre
tensions are to be realized and he and are destined to
witness that disastrous period in the history OF nations
when funeral veil is to be cast as black pail over the
destlnes of great empire and the foundations OF the
glorious fabric OF our constitution are to be broken up
when the santed forms of the fathers of the revolution
with that great and venerable man, (pontng to the pOr
trait of General Washington) 'frst in peace, first in
war, and first in the hearts of his counymen, and who,
in the language of celebrated British statesman, fur
nished than any other human being the idea of
perfect man, 1t their head, marching in slow, 81
lent ana solemn procession 10 the grave OF the repubc
and the genius OF free government and American
liberty weeping IN bitter anguish over the desc
late and smouierng ruins of violated constitution,
undone country and rulned tdstracted, and undone
people, the incarnate spirit of abolition will be
far off perched upon the fatal bows of dscord anarchy
and confusion, gazing with deathlke fendsh magnity
on the miserable scene. Mr.. President | am anxious
deeply anxious, TO avert from common country these
porientous evils. But sir tell the from Ohio
and tell the men of the NORTH that it only be done
in one way, and that is by concedng to the people of
every section of this conederacy the equal rights secured
to them by the constitution of common country; by
placing upon equal footing the descendants of those
who fought at Lexington, and Concord, and Bunker's
Hill, and the descendants of those who fought at Cam
den and Guilford and Little York, both in regard to
present and prospective rights. But have fears with
respect to the dissolution of the Union am not to be
frightened when mailman stares rely upon the
Of justice of the American people 10 sustain in the
correctness of the views have expressed, and to
from my country the evils TO which have alluded
believe with my honorable friend from Michigan,
Mr. CAss that the clouds which fit destiny,
and inspire such gloomy apprehensons in the minds of
will pass away and that the sunshine of pros
that the constitution will stand, amidst all the assaults
made upon it, like the rock which, far from land uprears
It's majestic head, and remains unmoved by the storms
that agtate the In all these agreeable hopes and
anticipatons | may be disappointed. 1t may be, that
under the influence of madness and folly, anaicism
or unchastened ambition, the glorious vessel of
stituton is destined to go 10 pieces If so, shall be
found struggling amidst the ruins of my countrys wreck
endeavoring to lay hold of plank by which to save
the great principles of free government, the Union Of
these States, and the liberty of my country from total
destruction.
proceed now, sir to say a word upon the plans that
have been indicated in the of this debate in rea
ton to the further prosecution of the Three courses
have been pointed out. First vigorous prosecution of
the war. Second, taking defensive line, and holding
1.-THE territory haye-Subect ~ future npro,ia