The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-29

worth preserving? [Applause.l Is it not worth
preserving, though il has dark spot on IT Let
any candid man rise here and say 10 me, If this
Union shall be dissolved, how shall we reconstruct
it, How shall we put this type together when all
shall be thrown into yi? Where the wise build
ers 10 reconstruct this form Of government which
has carried us through half century, realizing
such results in government and civilization as man
never saw before! Now, my friends, want you
TO think Of these things. / ask you to pause and
consider before you commence in a course which
ID to turn this great Wing conservative party Of
ours into sectional party, and which must end
What is the result OF the whole matter? That you
shall not hate slavery Far otherwise.
] make no boasts, but should like to see the
man who has done more, from his earliest
hood 10 the present moment in advocating the
principles of Abolition than the humble ndivid-
ual who now addresses you; and my principles
are unchanged, entirely unchanged. Applause
But it is not the only question connected with our
Government. We have TO eat and drink and be
clothed, and TO educate children, TO build
houses, and 10 spread the blessings OF civilization
all land and to extend it to the thousands
upon thousands who come among us from foreign
lands to seek protection here. And now, too, our
eyes are directed to Asia, from the shores of the
Pacific, and we inviting them to come and
partake of the fruits of our liberty; one and all,
there is enough for all Of them. These
the fruits of united government of the union of
these States benettting not only ourselves, but all
mankind. And yet there rash hands that
would put in jeopardy this Union, that would
break il up, not wilfully not knowingly, not with
malice prepense, but they will associate and unite
with those who mean To dissolve the Union, and
who will dissolve the Union.
Now, my friends | want no personal feelings Of
elevation or opposition to enter into this matter,
and have nothing to say on that subject, for my
thoughts are busted with other matters. Let us
preserve the ark which contains the Constitution
of the country, that which ia essential to US all.
And propose, would have proposed, had there
been other object for this meeting here of highly
resDectable gentlemen. who have from
part OF the State, and whose names are well known
10 the people, that do nothing than To
pledge ourselves to stand by the Union, and say
to gentlemen Of the South, You our brethren,
our countrymen; your interests and ours are bound
up together; We have one country, one Constitu-
ton, one destiny, and let us live together like
brethren. Let us stand together as in earlier tmes
when we fought for liberty. Your forms of gov
ernment in your States differ from ours; we have
advanced further than you, as we think; we see
clearer than you, but was well remarked
by friend who preceded me, the darkness was
once upon US.
There are men here in this assembly, l doubt
not, who remember the time when slavery existed
here. remember that was in at its death, and
that was associated with band of to bring
about the destruction of that evil. And if lived in
South Carolina or 6 eorga, Iwouldspendm my strength
for that purpose, for there would be objection to
my political action there; but cannot stand here,
on the soil of the State of New York. and interfere
with the institutions OF those States, wherever it
exists according to law. So, too l may deprecate
suppress its use. We must each stand on our own
footing as members of this confederacy. There
are only 600 slaves in the District of Column
bia and this number is daily diminishing. With
these we have right to interfere, yet shall
make battle for that?
My friends, all ask of you is to stand up for the
country, and TO preserve the bands of union which
keep us together. But, hear you say, the south
ern men taunting us. Taunting US, Why,
who gets the most benefit from this Union? Who
builds cities like that in which dwelE Who fills
an island with palaces, like that island which l
live! Who scatters plenty all over the land? Who
educates the poor? Who is il that is well fed, well
clothed, and well educated? Why, we of the North;
and if those who do not happen to be as well off
call hard names, and use insulting languag &c some
times, is that reason why should go to war
with them? Is that reason why we should break
up form Of government which showers such bless
ings upon US? All, my friends, if this Union is de-
stroyed, what becomes of the memory of Wash
ington! This Union is a monument To his glory.
He aided in its inception, he presided ut its for
nation, and he has asked of you to preserve II
a monument of his glory and for your own benefit
through all ages. But when the banner of the stars
and stripes shall be torn in tatters, where is the
memory of Washington Where is the national
glory OF America? Gone, all gone, and God alone
knows what will follow!
My friends, could keep you until to morrow
night on this theme, but others are to follow me.
have no desire TO excite you, but let me ask you
in conclusion-perhaps am wrong, perhaps am
too much excited, but | am hohest-to think of
these things. Again, ask you TO think of them.
Applause and cheering