The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-28

the North cannot submit to the degradation of being
associated with slave labor
Well, then, we say as the patriarch of old said
to his friend and kinsman, when disputes arose be
tween the herdmen of their cattle "Let there be
strife, pray thee, between me and thee, and be-
tween my herdmen and thy herdmen, for we be
brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? Sep
arate thyself, pray thee, from me. If thou wilt
take the left hand, then will go to the right; or,
If thou depart to the right hand, then will go 10
the left" In other words, we say, if you cannot
agree to enjoy this public domain in common, let
us dpide it. You take share, and let take
share. And again submit To an intelligent and
candid world If the proposition Is not fair and JUST
and whether its rejection does not amount TO clear
expression of your fixed determination TO exclude
us entirely from any participation in this public do
main?
Now sir all that ask, all that ask is, for
Congress to open the entire country, and give an
equal right TO all the citizens of all the States to
enter, settle, and COLOMBO it with their property Of
every kind, or TO make an equitable division of it.
Is this wrong! Is 1t endeavoring to control the
action of Congress improperly TO carry out sec
tional views and interests? And am to subject
myself to the intended reproach Of being tAtaist
for insisting upon nothing but what is Just and
right If SO, am willing to bear whatever of re-
proach the epithct may impart. IL man be
uitrdst for insisting upon nothing but his rights,
with a Willingness TO compromise even these upon
any fair and reasonable terms, without total
abandonment of them, then am an uItydst. And
| | am mistaken in the character Of that people
| amongst whom was born, and with whom have
Decn ii majority Ol lHcul, Nutn AL
| their propositions for adjustment and compromise
shall have been rejected, will not be uitraists too.
! BE not deceived and do not deceive others-this
| Union can never be maintained by force. With
the confidence and affections OF the people of all
sections of the country, it is capable of being the
strongest and best Government on earth. But it
can never be maintained upon any other principles
| than those upon which ii formed. All free
| governments are the creatures of voion-a breath
can make them, and breath can destroy them
! This Government is no exception to the rule And
when once its spirit shall have departed, no power
on earth can ever again infuse in it the Promethcan
! spark of life and vitality. You might just well
attempt 10 raise the dead.
| Mr. Chairman, when look to the causes which
lie at the bottom of these differences of opinion be-
tween the North and the South, and out of which
this agitation springs; when ! look at their char
acter, extent, and radical Misunderstanding, as thew
necessarily do, into the very organization of
! clety with us, must confess that unpleasant APP
| prehensions for the future permanent peace and
quiet of the different States of this Union force
themselves upon my mind am not however,
disposed to anticipate evil by INDUCING those APP
prehensions unless compelled to do So 1t may be
that we have the seeds of dissolution in our system
which no skill can eradicate, just carry with
us in our bodies the seeds of death which will GER
tainly DO their work at the allotted time But be-
cause we are all conscious that must die il does
not follow that we should hasten the event by an act
! of suicide. We have the business, duties, and OBJ
legations OF llic to discharge So with this Govern
ment. Because may have serious approximations
Of the workings of causes known TO exist, do not
conceive it therefore to be in the line of duty to an
ticipate the natural effects of those causes by any
rash or unjustifabe act. ] am disposed rather to
hope for the best while feel bound to be prepared
for the worst. What is really TO be the future fate
and destiny of this republic Is matter of interest
ing speculation; butt am well satisfied that it can
not last long, even If the present differences be adj
jused, unless these violent and bitter sectional
feelings of the North be kept out Of the national
| halls. This 10 conclusion that all must come TO-
who know any thing OF the lessons Of history.
with fha 4
not the future and ! would now invoke every
member OF this House who hears me, with the same
frankness, earnestncss, and singleness of purpose
with which have addressed them throughout these
remarks, TO come up like men and patriots and re-
/ lieve the country from the dangerous embarrass-
ments by which ii Is at this time surrounded. Ii ia
duty we owe to ourselves to the millions we rep.
/ resent, and TO the whole civilized world. To do
this, tell you again, there must be concessions by
| the North well as the South. Are YOU not pre-
! pared TO make them? Are your feelings too narrow
| and restricted To embrace the whole country, and
to deal Justly by all its parts? Have you formed
! liked, firm, and inhexible determination TO carry
your measures in this House by numerical strength
and then TO enforce them by the bayoneS Ifso, you
may be prepared 10 meet the consequences OF what
ever follows. The responsibility will rest upon your
own heads. You may think that the suppression
OF an outbreak in the Southern States would be a
holiday Job for a few Of your northern regiments
but you may find to your cost, in the end that sew
en- millions of people fighting for their rights their
homes, and their hearth. stoncs cannot be "easily
conquered" submit the matter to your delibcr-
ate consideration.
have told you, sincerely and honestly, that am
for peace and the Union upon any fair and reason
able terms-it is the most cherished sentiment Of
my heart. But if you deny these tcrms-if you
continue "deaf TO the voice. Of that spirit of JUS
tice, right, and equality which should always char
acterize the deliberations of statesmen | know of
no other alternative that will be left the people OF
the South, but, later to acquiesce In the
necessity" Of holding you as the rest of mankind
enemies in warm peace, friends"