The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-03-21

denies that such superiority, II Justly claimed couL
give title TO oppression.
There fvhnins one more guaranty.-one that has
seldom failed you and will seldom fail you hereafter
New States cling in closer alliance than older ones
10 the Federal power. The concentration of the
slave power enables you for long periods 10 control
the Federal Government with the aid of the new
States. do noMknow the sentiments of the repre-.
sentalyes of California but my word for it, if they
should be admitted this floor to-day against your
most obstinate opposition, they would, on all ques-
lions eay affecting your interests be found your
side.
With these alliances to break the force of cmanci
patton, there will be no d0union and secession.
I do not say that there may not be disturbance,
though l do not apprehend even that. Absolute
regularity and order in administration have not yet
ben established in any Government, and unbroken
popular tranquility has yet been attained in even
the most advanced condition Of human society
The machinery Of our system is necessarily COM
pick. pivot may fall out here, lever may be dis
placed there, wheel may fall out of gearing else
where, but the machinery will recover its regu-
arity and move on just as before, with even better
adaptation and adjustment TO overcome new obstruc-
TONS
There are many weldisposed persons who are
alarmed at the occurrence OF any such disturbance
The failure of a legislative body to organize is to
their apprehension fearful cmen and an extra con-
stituiiona assembage TO consult upon public affairs
Is with them cause for desperation. Even Senators
speak OF the Union as if it existed only by consent
Legislatures of the States. On the contrary, the
Union was not founded in voluntary choice nor does
II exist by voluntary consent.
Union was proposed TO the colonies by Frank
lin and Others, in l754 but such their aversion
10 an abrdgment of their own importance respect
lively, that IL rejected under the pressure of
disastrous invasion by France.
f. Union OF choice was peoposssa SO we COLONIES
IN l7I5; but so strong was their opposition that
they went through and through the war of INDIE
Dendpnce without having aatahlishad hon
mere council of consultation.
But with independence came enlarged interests of
MISUNDERSTANDING new interests of manufac-
tures-interesis OF commerce. of fisheries, of navi-
CATION, OF a common domain of common debts of
common revenues and taxation, OF the admnistra-
ton OF justice, of public Defence of public honor
in short, interests of common nationality and SOW
eregnty-interests which at last compelled the adop-
ton of a more perfect union-a National Govern
ment.
The genius, talents and learning of Hamilton OF
Jay, and of Madison, surprising perhaps the intel
lecual power ever excrted before for the establish
ment OF Government, combined with the serene
but mighty influence of Washington, were only suf-
hcient 10 secure the reluctant adoption of the Con-
sitution that is the object of all our affections
and of the hopes of mankind No wonder that the
conflicts in which that Constitution was born. and
the almost Responding solemnity of Washington i'm
his Farewell Address, impressed his countrymen and
mankind with profound disrust Of its perpetuity
NO wonder that while the murmurs OF ihai Ssay are
yet ringing in our ears, have cherished that dis
'ynsf, With pons reyenence asa R',iea8) and 9afri-
otic sentiments
But ii is time TO prevent the abuses of that senti-
ment Ii is time to shake off that fear for fear is al
ways weakness. IL is time 10 remember that Gov
eminent, even when 1t arises by chance or accident
and Is administered capriciously and oppressvely is
ever the strongest of all human institutions surviv-
ing many social and ecclesiastical changes and con.
WILSON'S, and that this Constitution of ours has all
the inherent strength common to Governments in
general, and added to them has also the sodiy and
frmness derived from broader aud deeper founda-
tons in national justice and better civil adaDta-
ton to promote the welfare and happiness Of man
kind.
The Union, the creature of necessities, physical,
moral, social and political endures by virtue of the
same necessities; and these necessities stronger
than when il was produced-sironger by the greater
amplitude OF territory now covered by tsironger by
the skiold increase of the society living under its
benehcent protection-sronger by the augmentation
ten thousand times of the fields, the workshops the
Mines AMI the ships OF that society; of its produc
tons OF The sea- OF the plough, of the loom and of
the anvil in their constant circle of internal and in
ternatonal exchange-stronger in the long rivers
penetrating regions before unknOwn-sronger in all
the artificial roads, canals and other channels and
avenues essential not only to trade but to defence
stronger In steam navigation, in steam locomotion
on the land, and in telegraph communications
unknown when the Constitution was adopted
stronger in the freedom and in the growing empire
oil the seas-stronger in the element of national
honor In all lands and stronger than all in the
ssttled habits of vencration and affection for nstitu-
tons so stupendous and so useful
The Union, then, as not because merely that men
choose that il shall be- but because some Govern
ment must exist here, and no other Government
than this can. If it could be dashed TO atoms by the
whiriwind the lightning, or the earthquake, to-day
1t would rise again in all Its just and magnificent
proportions to morrow.
This nation is a globe still accommodating upon ac-
cumulation, not dssolving sphere.
have heard somewhat here and almost for the first
time in my life of divided alegiance--of allegiance
TO the South and TO the Union-of allegiance to
States severally and to the Union. Sir, if sympa-
thies with State emulation and pride of achieve
ment could be allowed to raise up another sovereign
to divide the allegiance of citizen of the United
States, might recognise the claims of the State
TO which, by birth and gratitude, | belong-to the
State OF Hamilton and Jay, of Schuyler of the
Clinions, and of Fulton-the State which, with less
than two hundred miles of natural navigation con-
nected with the ocean, has, by her own enterprise
secured 10 herself the commerce of the continent
and Is steadily advancing to the command of the
commerce OF the ,worli. But for all this | know
only one country and one sOvereign-the United
States of America and the American People. And
such as my allegiance Is, Is the loyalty of every
other citizen OF the United States. As | speak, he
will speak when his time arrives. He knows no
other country and no other sovereign. He has
lille, liberty, property, and precious affections and
hopes for himself and for his posterity, treasured up
IN tlc ark Oh inc Union. lie knows as wei ana
feels strongly as do that this Government is his
own Government; that he is part of it that it
was established for him, and that il is maintained by
him; that it is the only truly wise, Just free, and
equal Government that has ever existed; that no
other Government could be so wise Just free and
equal and that it is safer and more benefccnt than
any which time or change could bring into its
place.
You may tell me, sir, that although all this may
be true yet the trial OF faction has not yet been
tuAa tf h Ill ..TE
made, IL has not been because faction has not always
existed and has not always menaced trial, but be-
cause faction could find no fucrum which to
place the lever to subvert the Union, as il can find
no fucrum now; and in this is my confidence. |
would not rashly provoke the trial but will not
suffer fear, which have not to make Inc COM
promise one sentiment principle of truth or JUS
tice, TO avert danger that ali experience teaches
me is purely chimerical. Let then, those who dis.
trust the Union make compromises to save it, |
shall not impeach their WISDOM as l certainly can
not their patriotism bui INDUCING such appre
tensions myself, shall vote tor the admission of
California directly, without conditions without
qualifications, and without compromise.
For the vindication OF that vote look not to the
verdict of the pass ng hour disturbed the public
mind now is by conflicting interests and passions
but to that period happily not far distant, when the
vast regions over which we now egislaiing shall
have received their destined inhabitants
While looking forward to that day. its countless
generations seem 10 me To be rising ND and passing
in dim and shadowy review before us and voice
comes forth from their serried ranks saying Waste
your treasures and your armies, if you will raze
your Notifications to the ground sink your navies
into the sea; transmit to us even a dishonored
name, If you must but the soil you hold in trust
for us-give il 10 us free You found il free. and
conquered II to extend better and surer freedom
over IT,. Whatever choice You have made for your-
selves, let us have partial freedom let us ali be
free let the reversion Of your broad domain descend
to us unincumbered, and free from the calamties
and the sorrows OF human bondage."
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