The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-05


notifications, existed from the beginning of the
Government. They both extended TO every por-
ton OF the Union, and strongly contributed to hold
all its parts together But this powerful cord has
Jared no better than the spiritual II resistedfor
long time the explosive tendency Of the agitation,
but has finally snapped under its force-if not en-
trely, in a great measure Nsr Is there one OF the
remaining cords which have not been greatly
weakened. To this extent the Union has already
been destroyed by agitation, in the only way it can
be, by swapping asunder and weakening the cords
which bind it together.
II the agitation goes on, the same force, acting
with increased intensity, as has been shown, viii
finally snap every cord, when nothing will be left
to hold the States together except force But surely
that cam with no propriety of language, be called
Union when the only means by which the weaker
ID held connected with the stronger portion force.
II may, indeed keep them connected; but the con-
nexion will partake much more of the character of
subJugation, ON the part of the weaker TO the
stronger, than the union of Free independent, and
sovereign States in one Confederation, as they
stood in the early stages of the Government, and
which only is worthy of the sacred name of Union.
Having now, Senators, explained what il is that
cndangers the Union, and traced it to its cause,
and explained its nature and character, the qucs-
ton again recurs, How the Union be saved
To this answer, there is but one way by which il
can be, and that is by adopting such measures as
VIII satisfy the States belonging to the southern
section that they can remain in the Union consist
entity with their honor and their safety There is,
and that Is by removing the causes by which this
belief has been produced Do that, and discomfort
will cease, harmony and kind feelings between the
sections be restored, and every apprehension Of
is, BY what can this be done1 But before under
take to answer this question propose to show by
what the Union cannot be saved.
II cannot, then, be saved by eulogies the
OF Union, Union-the glorious Union % can no
more prevent disunon than the cry of Health,
heath-glorious health Z" on the part of the phys-
clan can save patient lying dangerously i'll. So
long as the Union, instead of being regarded as a
protector, is regarded in the opposite character by
not much less than majority of the States it will
be In vain to attempt to conciliate them by pro-
nouncing eulogies on it.
Besides, this cry of Union comes commonly from
those who we cannot believe to be sincere. II usu
ally comes from our assailants. But cannot
believe them to be sincere; for, if they loved the
Union, they would necessarily be devoted to the
Constitution. 1t made the Union, and to destroy
the Constitution would be to destroy the Union
But the only reliable and certain evidence of devo-
ton to the Constitution is, to abstain, the one
hand, from violating it, and to repel, the other,
all attempts TO violate it. 1t is only by faithfully
performing these high duties that the Constitution
can be preserved, and with it the Union
But how stands the profession Of devotion to the
Union by our assailants, when brought to the test
Have they abstained from violating the Constitu-
ton Let the many acts passed by the northern
stituton providing for the delivery up of fugitive
slaves answer. cite this, not that it is the only
instance, (for there many others,) but because
the violation in this particular is too notorious and
palPable to be denied. Again: have they stood
forth faithfully to repe violations of the Constitution
Let their course in reference to the agitation
OF the slavery question, which was commenced
and has been carried for fifteen years, avowcdly
for the purpose of abolishng slavery in the States
an object all to be unconstitutional
answer. Let them show single instance, during
this long period, in which they have denounced
the agitators their attempts to effect what is ad
United to be unconstitutional, or a single measure
which they have brought forward for that purpose
How can we, with all these facts before US, believe
that they sincere in their profession of devotion
to the Union, avoid believing their profession is
but intended to increase the vgor Of their assaults
and TO weaken the force of our resistance?
Nor can we regard the profession Of devotion to
the Union, on the part Of those who not our
sailants, as sincere, when they pronounce euogies
upon the Union, evidently with the intent of charg-
ing us with disunion, without uttering word Of
denunciation against assailants. If friends Of
the Union, their course should be to unite with us
in repellng these assaults, and denouncing the au-
thors as enemies of the Union. Why they avoid
this, and pursue the course they do 1t is for them
to explain.
Nor can the Union be saved by invoking the
name OF the illustrious southerner whose mortal
remains repose on the western bank of the Potomac
He was one Of us-a STAKEHOLDER and planter
. i
10 justify submission TO wrong. On the contrary,
his great fame rests on the solid foundation that
while he was careful to avoid doing wrong to 9TH
ers, he was prompt and decided in repelling wrong
trust that, in this respect, We profited by hiseI
ample.
Nor can we find any thing in his history 10 deter
US from seeding from the Union, should Il fail TO
fulfil the objects for which il instituted, by be-
ing permanently and hopelessy converted into the
means of depressing instead Of protecting US. On
the contrary, VIC find much in his example 10 en-
courage US, should be forced TO the extremity OF
deciding between submission and disunion.
There existed then, as well as now, a union
that between the parent country and her then colo
MES II union that had much TO endesr it
10 the people of the colonies. Under its protecting
and experimenting care the colonies were planted
and grew up and prospered, through long course
Of years, until they became populous and wealthy.
Its benefits not limited 20 them. Their extern
sive agricultural and other productions gave birth
TO a 1ourishing commerce, which richly rewarded
the parent country for the trouble and expense of
establishing and protecting them. Washington
born and grew up TO manhood under that
union He acquired his early distinction in its SER
vice, and there is every reason TO believe that he
was devotedly attached 10 il. But his devotion was
n rational one. He was attached, not as an end,
but As a means 10 an end. When il failed TO fulfil
its end and, instead Of sffording protection, was
converted into the means OF depressing the colo
mics, he did not hesitate 10 draw his sword and
head the great movement by which that union was
forever severed, and the independence OF these
States established. This was tho great and crown
ing glory Of his life, which has spread his fame
over the whole globe and will transmit il to the
latest posterity.
Nor can the plan proposed by the distinguished
Senator from Kentucky, that Of the administra-
ton, save the Union. ! shall pass by without re-
mark, the plan proposed by the Senator, and pro-
coed directly TO the consideration Of that Of the ad
ministration. ] however assure the distinguished
and able Senator that in taking this course no dis
respect whatever IL intended 10 him or his plan.
have adopted IL, because many Senators OF distin-
guishcd abilities, who present when he deliv-
cred bis speech, and explained his plan, and who
were fully capable TO do justice 10 the side they
support, have replied TO him.
The plan Of the administration cannot save the
Union, because IL can have no effect whatever
towards satisfying the States composing the south
section Of the Union, that they can consist
emily with safety and honor, remain in the Union II
is in fact but modification ofthe Wilmot proviso II
proposes 10 effect the object, to exclude the
South from all territory acquired by the Mexican
treaty, II is well known that the South is united
againstthe Wilmot provso, and has committed itself
by solemn resolutions 70 resist should IL be adopted
Its opposition Is NOT 10 the NAME but that which Il
proposes 10 sfscfthat the southern States hold 10
be UNCONSTITUTIONAL unjust inconsistent with their
equality members Of the common Union, and
calculated 10 destroy, rretrievsbly the equilibrium
between the two sections. These objections apply