The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-22
CONGRESSIONAL.
Speech or mR. BADGER.


Mr. President: II is not surprising, sir, considering
the subject matter OF the resolutions submitted by the
honorable senator from Kentucky, mr. CLAY that there
bate Produced BY them il this House Nor il surprising
considering the variety of topics embraced in those esou
tons, that there should have been great diversity OF
sentiment among the members OF this body The deli
cate nature Of the subject OF which these resolutions
have grown--to which, directly or indirectly, they all re-
atefurnshes abundant excuse and even ustncaon ior
the large amount of excited feeling, and warmth and
animation OF discussion, here and elsewhere do not
rise Mr. President, with view OF saying anything winch
shall tend e aggrayate Or AZ an o lessen ane
matters in dispute pending between the different portions
OF this country On the contrary, while shall express,
shall sndeavor to avoid saying anything which can give
Just offence In the remarks which shall submit TO the
Senate shall endeavor TO cultivate in myself and SO far
depends upon me. in others, that spirit OF mutual
concession, compromise, and kind feeling, in which the
Union Of the States originated and by cultivating which
There can be no question that the subject under the
consideration Of the Senate is vastly important i s, in
my judgment. as important as the value OF the unlon;
adequate powers Of computation TO US, as people, i
s, indeed, inestmabe. When, therefore, questions are
moved here which do, either directly Indirectly in
volve the continuance of this Union and the maintenance
OF the form OF government under which we ive must
consider them oil such ranscenden Importance as to be
worthy OF every exercise OF the understanding OF every
member OF this body, and as demanding from us all the
exercise Of moderaon justice, care and conclliaon IN
order TO produce good and avoid evil
often said upon this oor that there can be peaceabe
separation OF this Union From the very nature OF the
case-from the character of our instituons-from the
character of the country-rom the nature oi govern
ment ITSELF il is in my Judgment impossible that there
be peaceable separation OF this Unon But fhere
could be- agree entirely with the honorable senator from
Kentucky, that that state OF peace in which we might
separate must be speedily endedmust terminate IN m
estine conflicts, in wars, which, from the nature OF the
but until the superiority Of one or Of the other
side in the conflict should be completely established.
would admit Of nothing but hollow truces, in which each
might breathe from past exertons and make preparations
for future conflicts
Sir the idea Of separation Of these States into distinct
conederaces was thought Of and considered and spoken
of, before the adoption OF this constitution AT the time
that the question before the American people,
whether the constitution proposed by the convention
should be adopted twas then spoken Of lis probable
yea certain consequences, were referred TO by the w
tiers of that admirable series OF papers denomnaed the
"Federalist;" !" and beg the indulgence of the Senate
while read very brief extract conveying the views oil
those eminent men:
m these State. should either be wholly dsunited only
united in partial conederacie must be far gone in
divisions into they might be thrown would have fe-
quent and violent contests with each other 10 presume
their existence would be forge, ha. ambitions
yindctive, and rapacous. To look for continuation Of
harmony between number of independent unconnecsed
sovcreigniies, situated the neghborhood, would
defiance the accumulated experience OF ages"
II this was Just view OF the probable the certain
suits OF separation of these States at that tme and
der the then circumstances, pray you sir upon what
at the present day, found better hope! Then
the States fresh from the conflict OF the revolution
ary war; Then not only had they lively remembrance
OF the contest IN which they had fought, and 10 which
they had gathered victory and honor together but the
leading OF that time were those choice spirits who
had carried them through that recent conflict; who had
exercised an influence in public affairs proportional 10
their patriotism. their vaor, and their wisdom Then
they might have separated without the same causes OF
hostility and alienation which must exist IN any separa-
ton Of these States at the present day. II we separate
do il with feelings OF mutual dsfrust and bitter
We divide. not BY common consent. as partners
who longer carry on their joint business with
mutual profit, each to pursue for his own separate ad-
vantage that OF business in which he thinks he
can best succeeds but we part with the feelings Of those
who consider hemselyes mutually wronged sense
OF injustice and oppression rankes IN the hearts oil one
portion OF one Of the confedeaces, and sense in
the other, OF defiance and indignity.
Under such circumstances, "what ensue," TO bor-
row the language OF the great English moralist, shut
continual exacerbation OF hatred-an unex6nguishabe
feud-an incessant reciprocaon OF mischef-a mutual
vigilance 10 eatrap and eagerness TO destroyi"
The question has been asked What can the States dc!
supposng them TO be divided and separated into distinct
subdivisions independent sovereigntes Allow me TO
that question in the words oil OF the most
eminent men whom my State has ever produced man
OF clear and comprehensive intellect, OF sound heart
and enlarged and ardent patriotism; who shed glory
around his native State and whose name is held In just
veneration by every one who Acknowledges himself
North Caronian Al another period OF history, the
same question asked. In the years 1891 and 1882
it had become an nquirya subject OF disquson in my
Staie-and the late Judge Castor, IN an address
delivered in 1882 before the literary societies oil the Uni
yersy, thus treats Of the subject:
Threats OF resistance, secession separation have be-
come household words, In The wicked and silly
voence public declamers The public ear 10 familiar
ized the public mind will soon be accustomed TO the
desesaabe ,ngge.iio OF sunio Calculations and
jecureswhai the East do without he South and what
may the South without he East-sLeers, menaces, re-
proaches and recriminationsal tend the fatal
end. What East do without the South What
can the Soada without the East They may do much
they may exhibit the curiosity Of political anatomists,
and the pitt and wonder o the world, the dtyscfa
bya'ts sundered BILE, dung nbs OF once gigsnJc body,
with ic, aud strength, aud vigor They can fur
Nth phiosophic historian another melancholy and
aces have an inherent unavoidable tendency
TO dissonon They will present heids and occasions for
bosder wars for leagues and couDtef-eague Tor the In
ttriQues OF petty the struggles OF military Chiefs
tor aud de DIS OF darkest hue
They will gladden. the hearts ol those who have proclaimed
mas men are govern themselves aud shed dsas
eclipse the hopes OF rational freedom throughout
the world Scion, in his code, proposed no punishment
for parricde, treating " as impossible cne Snch
with u.s. ought be the crime q Pitca parfoide--ihe
dismem bernen OF our 'latberand "
To me- sir these sentiments convey just representa-
hon OF what will be the future and unavoidable results
of separation Of the people OF this great counry INTO
distinct and independent confederacies. And when !
look al the prospect before il is one so DARK hed
With such hord forms OF dread and evil, that willingly
co my eyes upon it, and desire TO believe that II is I'M
possl ,tle ii should ever be realized.
Now Mr. President il The evils resulting from a dis
solution IF the Union be OF the kind and magnitude
which have stated, is there any dapgcr Have we any
reason in the present condition. Of the county, TO appre
he thai dissolution may follow the action u the Con-
ress III the limited States upon the great questions be-