The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-06

70 far to be involved in civil strife to exemplfy
this duty. There is nothing appalling than the
thought that friends and neighbors should carouse
over brook in the evening and stain u with
blood the next morning in civil srlfe-to think OF
sustaining life by drinking of the stream that
should be discolored by the blood Of slaughter
and DEATH
do not wish to bring about occasion for such
scenes for do not look upon them with the
same complacency that the honorable gentleman
does Perhaps l have not the same heart and
courage to look upon them They may be avert
ed, but it must be by something more than the
mere praises Of Union in terms. South Carolina
has given real evidences Of her willingness to
avert such state of things.
Aye, sir, upon mere point of honor she has
looked to the termination OF this controversy.
Her people have made sacrifices and have abided
by various compromises. But we are not exactly
worshippers Of Juggernaut to PROSTATE ourselves
and TO be crushed by the wheels Of the Union,
when it shall be welded by an unprincipled and
insolent majority. No, sir, duty to herself--self
respect will require her to stand to her rights.
She did not go into the confederacy to have them
sacrificed under the name of Union. The views
of the senator and myself, spring entirely from
our notions of allegiance, no doubt | never
could 90 to South Carolina, and cross the line to
fight under any banner, but | never could do it
under the command Of an unjust Government,
and in my opinion, under the authority Of mea-
sures brought about by system of policy look
ing with selfish regard to majority in disregard
to the interests intended to be secured by that
holy instrument, and when the covenant is torn
to pieces shall be ready TO act under the dictates
Of my true allegiance for myself, 1t may be
averted, and the honorable senator supposes it
may be averted by his BILL That is an assump-
tion-a pure assumption. Is he to suppose that
nothing can secure the Government but compro-
misses, made not exactly at his instance, but such
compromises as he shall regard as sovereign REM
edy.
must be permitted to say, asmy friend from
Maryland has ssid, IN. Pearce) he ought to allow
gentlemen to have something Of self-respect in
giving utterance to their opinions. Are his mea-
sures alone to escape opposition. ] hope, sir,
that fear is no counsellor with me. have, how
ever, as much fear of consequences as any man,
and say now that if you can have no better
measures than the one now proposed to avert
what fear is coming upon the country, it would
not have done it. And have not had so much
fear as to yield to name. There may be con-
test and it will not be made by single State
The gentlemen will have to encounter c0mbna-
ton of States. He may wish to select State, or
the people of State. will not deny to him the
tribute | have paid his talents. | could not
withhold what history may award, but in such
contest, his name will be as nothing. |
believe he loves this Union-that his fame is iden-
tilted with it, and | pardon much in one whose
history is so much connected with it,; but he must
pardon me at the same time for saying that in his
eagerness to preserve this Union, heis advocating
doctrines and using language that will destroy it..
Praises of the Union, are not devices that may
tend to preserve it. Do justice to the obligations
Of the Constitution justice and not insult the
weak, that is the way to incucate harmony. To
threaten violence, to dsrespectfu language is the
surest way to kndle strife, and bring sections into
hostile array. To talk of treason and to impute
it, will not make it so. Treason consists in be-
traying trust, or REFUSAL to discharge duty
to the Constitution of the country.
will conclude by saying that people who have
the privilege Of dying with arms in their hands
will never be hung as traitors, and shooting may
be al even game. do not wish the occasion as
the gentleman does to try the strength of his Gov
eminent.