Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-03-18
The Voice Of Patriotism.
Erto.ott from the SDeech of Gen. CAss

EItrdct from the Speech OF Gen LASS.
sWhy, sir, it is only day or two since one OF
the most accomplished members OF this BODY
told us in substance, that if dissolution OF the
Union should take place, the Northern portion,
containing twelve millions OF people OF the
Angle-SaXon race, and embracing regions among
the most fe,tile on the face Of the globe, would
be utterly destroyed That their cities would be-
come like Tadmor, their hills like Giboa, Their
fields like the Canpagna, and themselves with,
out prosperity, without hope. That grass wond
grow in their high places, and that they would
become like modern Tyre, while the Southern
cities would become like ancient Tyre, the en-
trepots Of the commerce Of the world. ALI this
CRATES harshly upon my ear. DO not want
any man to tell me what this Union would lose,
North or South, by dissolution. 1t is enough
for ME to know that if not fatal to both 1t would
check the prosperity Of both, and would lead to
consequences which no wise man can contem-
plate without dismay. am all American, with
the most kindly teelingsto every portion OF our
beloved country Its strength is in its Union ;
it's homes in its Union lido not want any one
to tell me the evils the North or South would
suffer from dissolution. need no lesson on
| that subject There is no use for Southern gen.
tlemen TO go back to the days OF the Patrlarchs,
and tracing the history and condition OF slavery
from that time to our day. and prove Its compatl.
| bility with the word of Cod and The wants OF
man. They have much better foundation for
their rights to rest upon than any such process.
Slavery is an existing institution in the South;
| for which no living man is responsible. 1t is
interviewer into the very texture OF society,"
Between three and four millions Of people, diff
fering in race & color from the predominant caste
are held in bondage. have seen good deal
ot slavery, and believe its evils are much mag
nifed and that the slaves generally In our
Southern States are treated with as much KIND
ness and consideration as are compatible win
this relative condition Of bond and free, and Ger
tainly as we'll as they would be treated In the
North. if we had slaves there do not see my
selfhow such mass of human beings can be
set free. Emancipation, unless the work, l
NAV saw. of ages would equally destroy the
white and the black. God in his providence
may bring it about. do not see that men can.
1t is question which concerns the Southern
States alone They have every motive to deal
with it Justly and wisely, and every interference
from abroad but adds 10 the difficulty OF the
position, and creates natural reaction i'll every
| Southern mind
"Where all this is to end, am not presump-
tuous enough to foretell. Hard thoughts are
followed by hard words, and if these are not
followed by hard blows, it will be more owing
TO the mercy of God than to the wisdom or mo-
deraion of man | will merely remark that the
Senator from Alabama (Mr. Clemens) has allu-
ded to peaceable dissolution Of the Union. He
will pardon me for saying, that hope no one
will delude himself with any such expectation
If it does not bring disappointment, the history
of the world has been written to no purpose.
In political convulsions, like that which would
attend the breaking up Of this confederacy, the
appeal from reason to force is as sure to follow,
as the night succeeds the day. May He who
guided our fathers in times of peril direct in
paths of peace and safety p