The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-12

doubtful validity, and about which reasonable may
differ and do differ These should be respectfully re-
ceived and considered But speak Of applications for the
bly, right to assuneke this for the dissolution OF
the Unon or for the annhilaton OF State OF this con-
| federacy
II has been said strand il has been said in reproach
that we ought not to receive petitions asking us 70 do
an unconstitutional act, ought not to receive petitions
| or remonsrances against such an act
i do not understand duties or the rights OF
the people. There great difference between propo-
ston 10 do what have no right to do, and remon-
stra1ce against doing IT. when there reason to appre
hend il may be done. The one asks us to violate our
oaths and the constitution, the other to recolec the OBJ.
legations of both.
This petition asks us to dissolve the Union. shall
vote for rejecting t and il there were any other mode
by which our Indignation at such wicked and foolish
proposition could be more powerfully expressed, should
adopt II with pleasure.
had occasion some time SINCE and under much less
imposing circumstances than the present to say we
ought 70 have one uHpFonounceabe word as the Jews
had Of old, and that word dissolutioD.p repeat the
senmentand with stronger conviction, il possible,
than ever OF lis truth and importance.
| We talk as aippanily Of breaking qp this Union 10
as we talk about dividing township The great diff
Guilty Of our position is, sir, that we do not know
how well we are off The sun never shone on SO
prosperous country as this; and yet we reject
utterly nsenslbe to the fayors he has showered
upon Look the pages of ancient history sir look
round the world as it Is and where will you find more
than in This couniryl And yet we seem from time to time
ready to reject all these elements Of public and private
prosperity and to destroy this government the worlds
best hope and Instead OF this eternal system OF
complaining, should bow knees in gratitude to
Him who gave us these blessings, and who, sometimes
tear, will strike US with Judicial blindness, as He did
| That we have difficulties at times to encounter is
but the common lot OF humanity individual well as
nationals but when these come, let them be adjusted in
proper spirit OF compromise, and the future may bring
| us all that the fondest aspiration desire.
| This petition asks us 10 take measures to dis
ss e
Of peace from portion OF the most respectable Society
OF Friends, whose high moral qualities no man appre.
sa,ss better % than do ga wha! KIND 81 proposition
all proper Difference to the petitioners, but EN-
phaticay, that he who expects such result is either
already insane hospital ought TO be placed there
He who believes that such government this with It's
traditions, its institutions its promises OF the past It's
performance OF the present. and its hopes OF the fu-
ture living in the hearts OF almost every Amer
lean, can be broken up without bloodshed, has
read human nature and human history 10 little pur
poss. No, sir; the Gordan knot that binds us TO-
gether will never be severed but by the sword. To
talk, then, OF dissolution, is talk Of war. Both
inseparably connected, and the evil day that brings
the will bring The other. And what kind OF war
will il be- Such war, sir, this the world has never
seen. The nearer we have been as friends, the more
deadly will be our feelings enemies II will have all
the elements OF i civil war-of intestine war.
Wherever the border may be, will be marked blood
and confagration from end of it to the other Far
be it from to weigh the injuries that each portion
might nct upon the other, and then strike the balance
OF evil with mathematical precision II Is enough Tor
me to know that runous would be the hopes OF both
And where is all this to end Ii jealousles and ancied
rival interests real grievances, are to divide us into
two coniederacies where is that division to stop! Sim-
lar causes will exist; they nseparable from human
nature; and shall finally be reduced to State sover-
eighties and may read fate in the fate OF the Greek
republics yydy portrayed by the ancient historians
Why, sir, 1t is but year or two since, on the occa-
i sion oil with Mexico, that a distinguished senator
from South Carolina, MIR CALHOUN still unhapply de-
tai hy rknaa rfad
coors the danger OF victorious generals returning from
foreign conquest believed then, believe yet, that
he greatly overrated the danger and that there was
a Preservative force in this country which would
laugh to the efforts OF military power. And
IT but day two since, that the other distinguished
senator from South Caroipa, Mr.. BUrLER now in his
for the moderation he exhibited when he entered the
tal OF Mexico The senator, il recollec right, thought
he deserved distinguished mark oil his counys ap-
probation for remaining faithful 10 her interests and bis
own duties, and not placing himself at the head OF Mex
lean kingdom. Few men. sir, have warmer personal
regard for General Scott than have and perhaps still
fewer place higher estimate upon bis services than
/ do He has won high station among the great cap
tains Of the age, and he has also woR imperishable
| honor for himself and for his country The cam
Ipagn from Vera Cruz TO Mexico is among the proud.
est feais military record But, sir, with all this
1 | have thanks to render him for the moderation "a
which the senator from South Carolina alludes. dc
not believe that the thought oil such reachey enter
ed his mind nor do believe that II he had made the
attempt there American IN the army who would
standard OF dsloyal soldier The stars and the stripe.
would have still been the pillar OF fire by day and cloud
by night, conduct gallant countrymen to that home
whose associations neither time distance could weaken
or ALI honor then, TO Gen. Scott, and TO the ar
lmy for what they did and suffered but there let us stop
irustt will be long before we find Rubicon in ou
country.
But sir. what will gentlemen say who anticipate such
danger from military power TO the danger TO be appre
hended great sections of country, when these arr
arrayed against each other in and attitude
is easy oresee but impossible TO prevents The border
would bristle with bayonets Every commanding heigh
would be crowned by IFS fortress Standing armies would
becomea part OF the permanent organization OF each And
the probability is judging from the lessons OF history
that snail be brought together again by some powerful
leader, and find ourselves in consolidated instead oil
confederaed country, under the iron rule oil military
/ despot. God save me from witnessing that day!
i Mr. WEBSTER. Mr.. President, am very much
Obliged to the senator who has just resumed his sea-
[MI CAss for the clearness and force with which be
has expressed opinions such as in the main, entirely
agree with concur especially in what he says oil The
existing ideasm which is becoming common IN the coun
try, that there may be such thing possible breaking
up Of this union OF States. am quite sorry that my
tton this, and shall be quite surprised II the Wopo
son TO entertain it receives any favor IN this body
would be- or at least appear 10 be, an assumption Of pow
leras ii by possibility we could do something Il
the effect and with the tendency which this, will say
presumptuous, petition conemplaes Now, sir, think
the substance Of this petition is such that to be proper
4 Il should have preamble in these words:
"Geafiemen, members Of Congrs. Whereas. at the com
mcnoement OF this esson, and each OF yon took you
soleun oath In the presence Of God the Holy Evange
liss thatyou would support the constitution now there
fore, pray you 10 take immediate 10 break the
| as you cam"
Mr.. BUTLER. believe, sir that il is proposed tc