Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-04-10

Well, now, sir, | beg to inquire what the
widest enthusiast has to say on the possibility
ofcutting off that river and leaving free States
ut its source and its branches, and slave States
down near its MOUTH Pray, Sir, pray, sir, let
me say to the people Of this country that these
things are worthy oftheir bordering and of their
consideration. Here, sir, are five millions OF
treemen in tbe free States north Of the river
Ohio: can any body suppose that its population
can be severed by a line that divides them from
the territoryo of a foreign and an alien Govern
lnent, down Somewhere, tile Lord knows where,
upon the lower banks ofthe Mississippi! What
would become of Missouri! Will she joinsthe
reimbursement Of the slave States! Shall the
man from the Yellow Stone and the Mad River
BE- connected in the new Republic with the man
who lives on the southern extremity ofthe Cape
of Florida? Sir, | am ashamed to pursue this
line Of remark dislike i'll have an utter
disgust for it. ! would rather hear Of natural
blasts and mildews, war, pestilence, and famine,
than to hear gentlemen talk of secession. 10
break up! to break up this great Government.
to dismember this great country-to asst onish
Europe with an act of folly such as Europe for
two centuries has never beheld in any Govern
.ment! No, sir; no, sir! There will be no seces-
sion. Gentlemen are not serious When tney
talk of secession. "- l''t'"
Sir, 1 wish to make a remark, and hasten to
a conclusion. | wish to say, in regard to Texas
that if it should be hereafter at any time the
pleasure of the Government of Texas TO cede
to the u. States portion, larger or smaller, OF
her territory whiehlies adjacent to New Mexico
and north Of thirty-fourth degree ct north iati-
tude for a fair equivalent in money or IN the pay
ment of her debt, | think it an object well worthy
.lhxx ,~:Ju-c nF ronr ra Sc tord II rh9Il he
haappty; totconcur in it myself, if should be in
the public councils of the country at the time.
And now, Mr.. President, instead OF speaking
Of. the possibility or utility of secession, instead
of dwelling in these caverns OF darkness In
stead of cropping with those ideas so tuii OF an
that ishorrid and horrible, let us cherish those
homes which belong to u.s. let US devote, DUR
selvesto those great objects that are TIT TOR our
consideration and our action: let us raise our
conceptions to the magnitude and Importance
of the duties that devolve upon us; let our COM
prehension be as broad as the country for which
we act; our aspirations as big as its certain des-
inv: let us not be pigmies in a case that calls
for men, Never did there devolve on any ge-
~neration ofmen higher trusts than now devoive
upon us for the preservation Of this consaltu-
zion, and the harmony and peace of all who
,re destined to live under it. 1t ID q great
pspular constitutional Government, guarded
by' Legislation, by law, by judicature, and de-
Tended by the whole affections OF the people
No monarchical throne presses these States
together; no iron chain Of despotic power en-
circles them; they live and stand upon a Gov.
eminent popular in its form, representative in
its character, founded upon principles OF eqqll
ty, and calculated, we hope, to last forever. . II
all its history it has been benefcent; it has trod
den down no mans liberty, it has crushed nc
State. 1t has been in all its Influences benevo
lent, benefcent; promoting the general pros
pefity, the general glory, apd the general re-
snown, and, at last, 4 has received a vast addl
ton Of territory. Large before, it has now, By
recent events, BECOME vastly larger This he.
public now extends, with a vast breadth, across
the whole continent. The two great seas O
the world wash the one and the other shore
We may realize the beautiful description OF tn
ornamental edging Of the buckler Of Achilles
'.9@ aNow the broad shield complete tn artist crowned,
rs With his last hand, and poured the ocean round; a
Ia living silver seemed the waves to roll,
And beattfe buckler's verge, and bound the whole"