The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-04

them. Tennessee must stamp her Interpretation
upon them, in characters indelbe as those with
| which God imprinted his curse upon Cain.
But, gentlemen, have digressed widely from the
position which was endeayoring to enforce was
seeking to enforce the conclusion that unsafe to
assume that th0Repubc is safe. Other eyes may
clear skies but to my vision dark and portentous
clouds are gathering. In the North the repeal of
the Fugitive Slave law is becoming the ralying of
demagoguos; and in the South its maintenance and
execution are the conditions upon which alone even
moderate and unexcited citizens propose to remain
in the Union. Previous to the late glorious election
in Georgia, South Carolina made the operation of
at least State an indispensable precedent cond
ton to those violent resorts which she has SO long
threatened But since Georgia Indignantly spurned
the offered honor of leading in treason South Caro-
lima seems to have become desperate, and announces
her determination SOLITARY and alone to seceds
from the Union; and, as before remarked, she has
elected members OF State convention, which is to
assemble in December next, nearly all of whom
| are pledged TO that course Of action. Whatever
may be her political errors, it ia unquestionably
true that her people are remarkable for high PRIDE
courage, and ohivalry. With these characteristics,
do not see how she can recede from the position
which she has taken. If she perseveres, the Presi
dent is bound to see that the laws of the United
States executed; and collision between South
Carolina and the Federal Government will be in
evtabe. To my mind the prospect of a safe solu-
ton of the difficulties which menace the Republic
was never less promising
Now every day, in almost every southern State,
distinguished and able men are propagating the doc
trne that State has the right peaceaby to secede
from the Union, and the people arc impressed with
the belief that secession will be altogether peace
full process. Strange absurdity IL the existence
of the Union. the duration of this Government this
great wonder of the world, dependent upon the
whms and caprices of South Carolina, and the
whims and cnprices of each and every one of the
thirty one States which, united, constitute the Re-
public II this is the character of our inheritance,
we have wasted our gratitude, and the world has
misapplied its admiration and applause. Wash
| ington's fame is mistake, and the renown of all
| the heroes and sages who co-operated with him in
| achieving tho success of the American Revolution,
ID but a great humbug.
The doctrine that the illustrious men who found
ed this Government did not intend TO impart to it
the power OF selfpreservation, seems to me to be
the greatest and most preposterous of all absurdi
tes 1t cannot be; the mighty work of our fathers
this fair fabric of liberty, the Union, our invalua
| BILE inheritance, can never have such termina
ton. When sacrilegious hands appraised to
destroy, will no arms be stretched forth to save?
When traitors assai will not patibts defend? Far
distant be the day; may 1t never come when this
high debate shall resolve itself into the argument
of arms. But when it comes-if come it must
more blood will be shed for the preservation of the
Union than was shed in that great struggle which
established it "Seas incarnadine," instead of
| bloody rivulets, will mark and immortalize the
mighty conflict. No; this Government of ours, the
gre 1t product of the tolls and suerings, the hero
ism and wisdom of our fathers, can never pass
away like a morning dream; it chnnot vanish from
|
cloud. Come ichaf may, trust that Tennessee will
always stand az she now stands, united in support
of the Union; and firmly resolved to defend, guard,
and preserve it against all who assail it. come they
from the North, or come they from the South.
| Tennessee has high destiny to fulfil, whatever
may be the form and aspect of the future. Great
responsibilities rest upon her-hgh duties devolve
| upon her. She must meet and discharge those
responsibilities-sh must perform those duties
with patriotism, wisdom, frmness, and courage.
In acting up to her high destiny, largo duties
will dovove upon the old Wing column; and
the first and most emcrgent one which it is'caled
upon to perform is to repossess itself of the citadel
which it lost the first Thursday of August 1S49.
Advance time honored banner, though soied
with the smoke of many battles-though rent and
torn by many conflicts-it has never been dishon-
ored. Upon its ample folds blazoned princi-
ples which every passing day, each rolling year,
proves to be indispensable to the safety and well
fare Of the Republic, and the happiness and pros
perity of the people. Unfur il to the breeze,
Place it in the hands of your chosen standard
bearer-rally around him, stand by him-support
him-sustan him-bravely follow his brave lead,
and tho black fort of Democracy will be triumph
antly stormed WINS the black fort at Monterey.