The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-16

but it has been forced upon us and you know sir,
that the sentiment Of loue, not considerations of in
terest, which chiefly attaches US To the Union, is
fast being weakened by the course of our northern
fellow citizens.
We have resolved TO "resist, at every hazard
and to the last extremity what is called the spirit
of the age" which would place US "under the ban
of the empire and array the powers of our Gov
ernment against the interests of our section.
! have recommended, and my State has resolved
nation of certain measures. To prevent so deplo
rable catastrophe, shall feel it TO be my duty To
resort to every constitutional parliamentary expe-
dent, regardless of threats which gentlemen make
Revolution -disunion, will be the inevitable con
sequences of the contamination of these measures
To prevent that contamination, il is our duty to try
every expedient. Some of the may appear
revolutionary; but desperate diseases require des
perate remedies. Better temporary dsorganiza-
ton, than permanent dissolution. IS some of
the State Legislatures, and many members this
moor, have declared, you will listen to plan of
compromised you refuse to do US iusce-if your
fanatcal love of the slave is greater than your sa-
cred love of country, and you choose to dissolve
the union-upon you rest the responsibility.
Gentlemen, desire, ardently desire union
with you. but il must be constitutional union--A
UNION OF LIBERTY AND EQUALITY" Dearly as we
love the Union, we love liberty more. We can only
remain In the Union as your equals All we ask
s an equal participationin in the benefits of com
mon Government We claim right to at least a
portion of the territory acquired by joint exer-
lions, The principle of division has always, till
now, been recognised II was acknowledged in
the case of Missouri and Texas 1t should not be
depar ted from now.
II you refuse TO recognise our equality-if you
insist on degrading US, and disunion follows--upon
you be the curse-Lhe bitter the deep, the danning
ctHsei
We shall be able to take care of ourselves, sir
With community of interests, and the unbounded
resources OF the southern States they night become
one of the greatest republics the world ever saw
But gentlemen say it is unpatriotic and reasonable
to calculate the advantage of separate organiz,-
non we are driven to do so, sir. Northern gen
tlemen do 1t for us. They tell that the Union u
incaicudbte TO that should submit to any and
every thing, rather than endanger the Union Self
defence demands that we should show them that we
are not 80 entirely dependent. But sir we make no
pecuntayy calculation of the value of the Union We
examine our political relation to and connexion with
the Federal Government. The man who is afraid
TO make is calculation deserves not to be free; and
the government which will not stand the test Of
examination deserves the respect of its citizens
Sir this was not the doctrine nor the practice of
our fathers Had it been, we should not now be
free. 1t is the doctrine inculcated by the present
despotc President of France, but repudiated while
ne was private citizen. II is the doctrine of the
Sultan of Turkey; of the Autocrat of Russia; of
power every where; of the majority here. They all
preach blind submission to power, whether in one
man or in many. hold, sir, with the patriots of
the Revolution with the authors of our Declaration
OF independence, that, whenever government be-
comes subversive of the ends for which il was
formed, it is the right and duty of the people to
alter or abolish it.
But, sir, we know the danger, the fierce strifes,
the bloody wars, and all the horrors of civil conyul
sion, which may ensue. We fear, and would avoid
them. The South may go down in the struggle.
We do not court this danger, and these possible.
and even probable calmities. But the fear of them
viii never deter US from maintaining the right. A
brave man stops not to calculate the consequences,
when his honor his rights, are assailed before he
seeks to vindicate himself.
In conclusion, MIR. Chairman, can only say,
that the southern people will eresist the last
tremity the doctrine that the powers and function
OF the General Government must be used TO assai,
and not TO protect their rights interests, and prop
erty. However much may desire sbetter safe
guards for our future security " we seek remedy
"otifside of the CONSTITUTION" SO long as ii IL
respected in Its letter and IFS spirit. We conteni
with its guarantees, and ask protection other than
that we may find under its sheltering wing. We
stand by the contract our fathers made for us. So
long the spirit of that contract is Observed we
shall never look to its dissolution remedy for
existing evils
Regarding the Constitution and the Union as one,
nowhere Is IL held in such high reverence as AMONG
the people of the southern States. They compose
the minority in this Government and look 10 the
Constitution as their shield and their protection
They regard II the palladium of their rights and
liberties. Never will they lay violent or sacrile-
gious hands upon it, They love il for the thousand
endearing associations attaching to it. They cling
to II as their surest hope.
Gentlemen Of the North, respect the Constitution
Carry out the principles Of that sacred instrument
in the spirit in which il framed. Love the
Union, of the South do-the hallowed Union
of our common fathers-a Union of ''liberty and
equality" not Union 10 be made an instrument
OF wrong and oppression. Then may we, and our
children, and our chdren's children, proceed, hand
IN hand together, in one common pathway OF
boundless prosperity, cheered by the hopeful pros
pect of a still brighter and happier future. MAY
THIS USIoN be perpetual