The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-05

speech Of Hon. Naskaa Cnnosd,
Delivered al the great Union meeiiag, held at Bath on
Monday hs 18th december fHs
Mr.. PREsIDEsT AND FELLOW CITIZENS Concurrng. as
do most fully IN the objects OF this meeting affords
sincere pleasure TO be present on this occasion, and on
heart and voice with you in promoting the patriotic pu-
pose Tor which you have assembled. Similar meetings
nave been held IN most oi the large commercial cities of
the United States They were nuInerously attended and
conducted with enthusiasm and entire unaaimity All
classes OF czens seem to have Joined together with one
accord IN obedience to the advice OF the Father OF our
County, TO ffown upon the first dawning of an attempt
TO ALLEVIATE one portion OF country from the rest and
to enfeebe the sacred Ties which link together the
various parts This is should be- and AS trust il
ever VIII be, whenever any class OF this country
attempt under any petence whatever to disturb the har-
mony OF our Union by geog raphca determinations, or
10 distract the The deliberations Of Congress by appeals
popular movement has been long deferred and yet il
Is cheering to be able and feel that it is
late 10 arouse the people TO Of the danger which
thseaions and OF the necessity OF providing speedy and
IL, those sco who WILL the meetings referred to have
done much good, and their influence will be felt even
beyond the shores Of the United States. While the
mics OF our Tree institutions in foreign lands will feel
cold chld run through their veins when they learn that
Philadelphia, New York. ard Boston have accepted the
Compromise and sworn new allegiance to the constitu
non and the Union, the friends OF freedom everywhere
Will take new courage and rejoice. No voice having
yet gone forth from the friends OF the Union in Maine,
the inquiry is often made, What will Maine do in this
emergency II is not within my province fellow citzens,
to answer the inquiry II belongs 10 the people speak
Tor themselves at such time and in such manner they
shall select, and doubt not they will respond satisfac
torlly IN due Ii the indcations see around me
are any index TO their sentiments and feelings requires
no gft of prophecy to fore,e that response Judging
from what have seen and heard am led TO the con-
cuslon that the people OF this State never more
devoted to the whole Union the whole Unon than this
moment My belief s, that they have entertained the
thought nuiyg any part OF the constitution or OF the
laws OF Congress, and that they will spurn the charge
that they are not ready to perform every duty which
those laws and that constitution enjon.
II is well known to all who know anything of my
opinions that have been opposed the slavery agla
llOn at all times and under all circumstances, from the
first moment when took its rise to the present time
hen II first commenced, many years ago. ii appeared to
me to be merely senseless II had aim or purpose,
so far as could understand Those engaged in
the work OF agitation asked nothing, proposed l6hing
they seemed to content themselves with mere camo and
empty defamation against the southern States and the
institution OF slavery The history Of this agitation,
when examined III connexlon with the astonishing
growth and prosperity OF our country, throughout the
whole period, without parallel in the annals of po
ltica affairs Whether not il was harmless in the be-
ginning, It IS not necessary now to inquire we know that
II had but few adherens, and therefore attracted but little
OF the public attention. Things have changedgreatly
changed lhe agtators have gained some strength and it
is now manifest that they have considerable hold upon
the popular sentiment of New England The moment
they acquired influence, of the more daring of their
leaders forward and boldly avowed the intent
and aim Of the agitation. II is now seen in all It's de-
formy embracing il does, in its scope aud ultimate
purpose the abolition OF slavery everywhere in these
United States The means for the Accomplishment Of
this end, every knows are and can be, no
other than . dissolution of the Union, and the conse
quent overthrow OF our federal constitution. Without
undertaking to ix the precise time when this agitation
conmsnced, it is safe to affirm that it has been Kept up
Tor more than twenty years. and throughout the
whole period has been gradually weakening and un-
derminihg the bond of union between the northern
and southern portions Of Tins confederacy The agi-
iators have confined their operations to our popu
uIar asse mblies they have carried the work into
the elections and from thence to The legislatures Of the
made II the lever to promote alienation and iraterna
discord. II will be useful think, to glace at some
Of these matters, and trace them up TO- the opening
of the last session Of Congress, in order TO under
stand the magnitude OF the difficulties which public
servants had to encounter when that session opened
independent Of the complex character and intrinsic i'm
portance of the questions which became their duty
consider. The members Of Congress, when they
bled, together the character OF the agents
of two hostile sections, warning for mastery than the
gcther under constitution, by common inter-
es where each represents and seeks 10 promote the best
good OF the whole. Whit had produced this state Of
things, copary TO the true intent and spirit OF
sttuon, and SO destructive TO every hope of lar and
candid deiberaton, The answer is plain. 1t was
slavery agitaon-slavery agitation among the people,
in the legislatures OF the Staes and in the Capitol at
ashngton 1t first made its appearance in the Capitol
OF Uaion believe, the form of petitions for the
abolition of slavery in the District OF Columbia Agita
tOn was ON series oil years,
and has noyet entirely ceased. The speeches made on
this subject and scattered broadcast through the free
States. If bound in volumes of medium size would
sttute library Next came the peitions TO inierIct the
slave trade between the southern States Like the class
which preceded the these too gave to animated and
angry discussions which sefved To swell the tide of ex
ASPIRATION between the two sections. Throughout the
period OF which am speaking, the admission OF new
States whose constitutions tolerated slavery, stead
lily, strenuously and in some Instances vehementy O
posed My sole purpose an referring 10 these matters.
fellow s 10 show you that slavery agitation had
accomplished much TO alenste the South from the North
before the great questions which II devolved upon
the last session OF Congress to see-iong before the
date Of the Compromse which we have assembled here
this day pledge exer,ons 10 uphold and execute
In order understand this controversy and know how
to apply the proper remedy the dangers which
now threaten Union ii s necessary to look al both
sidss of the questions which II Involves fairly and i'm
partially II is my Intention 10 do on this OCCASION
g withost fear, favor, affection. hope OF reward"
Never let il be forgotten that live in the midst OF ia
nates. whose interest, bus'ness.y whose very trade
and callngti 10 teach that the North 10 always 10
the right, and that the South is always the wrong
Experience has made them expert teachers Ii hss be-
come their trade. and following it as livelihood they
are always active and industrious My belief is---
r1tfi -" o,helIcs occupations gone"
Il s my sincere ayer that il may never return TO pro-
mote discord and disunion among the people Of the
United States. iaa'5
While speaking OF the history Of this agitation. must
not forget to mention the alton OF Texas and its
admission into the Union on an equa footing with the
other states Every one present will recolect The ex
ciement occasoned BY the discussion Of that msasurs,
and will bear witness that il fruitful source of
irritation II was opposed pretty generally by