Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-27
SPEECH OF Mr.. MELVILLE,
OF MISSISSIPPI,
On The Presidents Message communicating The
Constitution. of California.
OF MISSISSIPPI,
Horsr OF REPRESENTATIVES,, March A, 1880.

Mr.. McWIILlE said Mr. Chairman, do not rise Tor
The purpose replying those who have preceded in
this debate is il my intention make party speech
may refer to the two great national parties which
have heretofore divided this country question paramount
all considerations of party should now occupy our thoughts
The Of free institutions is the subject OF
discussion. Yes sic. believe much that ad-
dress you that the Union in danger look around me-
and point Of safety On the hand see nearly
all the Northern States being aayed against The South on the
slavery question the other, the South State after
State assuming the attitude of resistance and defiance Sir
know the past of my country and deprecate the pre-
sent but to me- least shadows clouds, and darkness
upon the future. know not what that future is to be, but
do know that lis complexion in great degree Is to be taken
from the action of the present Congress- believe that de-
beraions national point OF view, more important than
those of deberave assembly that has taken since
the adoption Of The form of government snder which
i've The Union of these States the subject of discus
sions Sir know not how to approach ii its magnitude
and Importance overwhem me. Even when sustained by
the 1ings Of duty and Of PATRIOTISM would dare to
upon this discussion, were not that know that the
genius Of my country, liberal the God worship only re-
aures my best endeavors when sanced by the best aec
lions of my heart Yes, SIT, my country has my heart;
love i'll love il s-Norh and South, East and West
love it, because contains the OF my ancestors, and
the home of my wife and my chlden love it. because
il have common history common inheritance, COM
mon glory, common liberty, and common hope. love
it, because founded in the TOLL and suffering and blood
Of the revolution love it, because our fathers, in their
wisdom, joined in political union. trust, hope, pray
that neither the ambition of the few the madness of the
many be able to sunde these States which God
had seemed to have Joined together Is Tor YOU my bfe
thren the Northyes will yet call you brehren-lt Is
for you determine what to be our future relations The
agitation from you are the ACTORS ana upon you
rests the responsibility. The South asks but equality and
iustce-he can never take less Sir have said that the
Union is in danger For proof Of this fact need not be-
yond this hall The speeches that have been made the i'm
petmens organization that have occurred and the whole
action of the House, must point every sane mind 10 Inc dan
gers that threaten U.s. :.
But Mr. Chairman it is only here that we see this
agitation and excitement has entered the social circle and
is breaking down all those kindly feelings which ought to exist
between members Of the same conederacy II is impossible
from the very constitution OF our natures, thai we can love
those who make business to reve and uaduce u.s. And
you know that il the habit Of at the North
speak of than pirates In your public
press 10 your public assemblies and churches our nstitu-
lions are OF denunciaon They respoken
of as national Disgrace Why already so far as
the union Of the States dependant the union OF the
churches in Of them actual practical dssolu
tio have the Methodist Church North, and the Metho
dis, Church South The division has taken place in the
Missionary Baptist Church. and 1t is with difficulty that the
union Of the Presbyterian Church retained Are not these
fact. Ought they not TO warn US OF danger
The same causes that have made church North and
church South will if arrested, make confederacy North
md confederacy South-ke produce like effects
Dscord separated the churches dscord will separate the
States. .s. .ma. ..,.
But is not only here in the halls of legislation in the
ocal circle and the churches that difficulty exists, but
in the election Of present Chief Magistrate was
N element of political power and great the hostility
the sections of the Union that he had TO be supported
the North the ani-savery candidate AID at the South
the pro-slavery candidate In other words so great was
he hostility OF the sections that the people had to be deceived
hat politicians be enabled induce them 10 act together
Sir, consequence of this hostility OF the North and South
the last Presidential election there expression of the
popular will the important and vital question that has
agated this In other words the people, by their
uages expressed opinion They lost the control of
heir government; and this is the reason why the whole
of our
the presence of the power of abolition Sir, not facts
Ike these sufficient TO alarm patriot But in addition
% all this you have been told by the member from North
Carolina Mr. CLIN6MAN) that no further legislation is to be
had in support Of Government, unless these agaons he
stayed and that otherwise here and this Government
shall prish This from the Whg side of the House,
which claims TO be the conservative and from the Wing and
Conservative State of North Carolina. am aarmis
appeal to mans eas but do appeal to the good
and patriotism of this House and this nation. warn them
that this Union is in danger and tell them that the South
prepared to present the alternative OF domestic
qniiy, equality and JUSTICE separation Sir the time
has come when every who loves the constitution of his
country mist BE- prepared to stand BY, if necessary
perish for it. Yes, sir, the time has when the nation
expects every do his duty. The time has come when
thoughts Of patriotism, and such thoughts alone
"Aong our hearts responding strings should run,
Nor let tone there vbrae but the one"
Yes sir the man who, on an occasion like the present.
could think OF himself his prospects, would desert the flag
IF his country in the hour of battle, would sell his coun-
ys liberty for consideration Every man who has given
serious attention to this question must now be satisfied
has reached point which delay in its adjustment must
accompanied with the greatest danger progress is
ward, and the nation rembes beneath its tread
The time when this agitation contced to few fana
lies but now has become element Of political power and
sectional asgrandzemen utterly Incompatible with the exist
snce of the Union Then but speck upon our poll
,ai horizon-a little cloud mt bigger than mans hand
has grown and spread until II covers near al 'he
sky. The Gghtnngs fash amid its tempesuous folds the
hundes roll along mighty base and the temple OF our
Union and Liberties shaken as if BY the upward heavngs
IF volcanic fire. The nation alarmed the star Of our dest
ny is ng dakened and the glorious light Of liberty and OF
hope pang upon path, fear, forever ies' SIR Inc
danger most imminent aresdy the instruments OF fe.oiu
5H are al work. Nearly, not quite, all the Southern
by conventions Of the people, BY their Legislatures
have declared their fixed and unaieabe purpose OF resist
snce in the event Of further aggression, and Southern Con-
already preparing TO meet at Nashville In June
while in the Northern Staes the Legislatures OF nearly
all OF them passing the most offensive and aggressive re
solutions nstructng their Senators in the other end OF this
CAPITOL aud requesting Representatives this floor TO
execute these resolves while the time the abolition
tes and the Norhthe sappes and miners
this array against the Souhae urging dsunon upon the
people, and denouncng glorious constitution as league
with dsah and with hell Sir, madness rules the
hour and the South, appearance will re left with no alter
native but disunion unconditional submission If this al
tentative forced upon US know duty TO ourselves
and our posterity and will dare do il, though
should dissolve Union This strong language and
IN that there those who will a,temp: to brand
dsunonis, but, sir repe the charge unfounded and
unjust.
II know myself, Fir, there has been DAY in
existence in which did stand ready peril my lite, il
necessary in defence of this CnJn Yes r love the
Inion but is loved by the member from Ohio, (Mr
p..r ., rho roep,her from MISx