The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-28


State in the Union TO adopt all such measures
a. may from time to time be necessary TO give
complete and full effect to any proviso. Of the
Constitution, or the laws pursuant thereto in
tended for the protection of any part Of this
great common country. Irue--every word
true. And allow me to say that any State,
North or South, which departs an iota from the
sentiment of that resolution is disloyal to this
Union Great applause.
Neither, so far us any act Of that sort has been
committed, such State has no portion OF my
regard. do not sympathizc with it, ! rebuke
It wherever speak, on all occasions when it is
proper for me TO express my sentiments. II
there are States--and am afraid there are
which have sought by ingenious contrivances OF
State legislation, by round about and crooked
courses of policy, to thwart the just exercises
and fuliillment of the laws of Congress passed
to carry into effect the compacts OF the Consti-
tuition, that State, so far il entitled to regard
from me. At the North there have certainly
been some limitations in certain States of such
policy. At the South, another danger seems
to have arisen; and it is a subject of very seri-
Gus lanentation to me. II would seem that
there is disposition in some quarters to secede
from the Union of these States. "Secede PA
word Of ominous import. Secede from what |!
Secede from this government, which has carried
the country to such pitch of glory in sixty or
seventy years! To secede from all the honors
and renown which it has accomplished And
to secede where! Wherever there is a termi-
nus quo, there is a terminus ad gum. Where
are they going? Applause. Whoever enter
tains such sentiments regard with spirit Of
commiserasion. | think it is malady of the
mind. think that their feelings have become
entirely diseased. ! think that they know not
what they do. And yet gentlemen, do not
think it the part Of prudence to criminate. or to
taunt, or to provoke. Leave them to their own
consideration. Let them dwell on secession
many days and inwardly digest it. Laughter,
And so far rs have any voice in the councils
Of the country, this meditation of theirs shall
never be disturbed; not breath shall rufle their
sensibility; until it comes to a point where
something is done that comes to an actual con-
tiict with the Constitution. Applause
1t is painful when we reflect that State so
highly distinguished, so full of high spirits and
cavaliers, a State which took such an active part
in the revolution, and which took such an active
part in the early administration of the govern
ment, which has produced so many men who
have honored the country and honored them
selves in the public serce--it is painful, say,
and humiliating, to consider that their descend
ants OF the present generation seem willing to
forget the whole gories of their country, to
take one stripe and one star and 60 out of the
Union whit. Laughter A returning sense
of patriotism and proprety will check them.
do not know what might happen if there had
been more general spirit of disunion. can
not persuade myself that honest and honorable
men, ingenious men, young men, who wish to
live for glory and renown, and character, will
ever leave that Union which their fathers estab-
lished, that Constitution which has made their
State, like all the other States, what it is, when
they come to sober moments of candid refec.
ton.
! hope that while We maintain, as the State of
Maryland has maintained, fixed and determined
sentiments in favor Of the Constitution, we will
hold no parley--and | hold no parley-with
anybody who would infract it in the slightest
degree. While we maintain the necessity of
establishing and sustaining those laws of nd
justment which were passed by the last Con-
gress to settle the country, while we hold on to
them with firmness and decision, hope never
theless we shall take a course not to provoked
taunt, or insult those who feel difference of
sentiments. Ihold the Importance of maintain
ing those measures to be of the highest charac.
ter and nature, every one Of them, out and out
and through and through. [Applause] ! have
no confidence in anybody who seeks the support
of anybody who wishes to alter or modify those
Constitutional provisions. There they are.
Many of these great measures are irrepealable,
The settlement with Texas is rs rrepealable as
the admission of California. Other important
objects of legislation, if not in themselves, in
the nature of grants, and therefore not so ire
pealable, are just as important; and we are to
hear no parleying upon it. We are to listen TO
no modification or qualification. They are passed
in conformity with the acquisitions of the Con-
stitutlon; and they must be performed and
abided by, in whatever event, and at whatever
cost. Applause.
His ExcelIency, the Governor of Maryland,
was pleased to allude to me as one that had run
some risks among his own people for the good
of the country. What had4 have been good
for i'll had not been willing to be it Applause
do not consider myself born to a great des-
tiny; but born to one destiny, and that is to up
hold, with my mind and heart and hand, the
Constitution of this country. [Great applause.
If this prophecy may fail, my attachment to the
Constitution of the land will never fail so long
as have breath. [Renewed applause.
Now, gentlemen, allow me to say that in look
ing over, this morning, the annals of your beau
tiful city of Annapolis, fnd-what would ex
pect to fnd-that when the defini.ive treaty of
peace was proclaimed here on February 7, 1888,
it was ordained to be day Of general thanks.
giving. 1t was celebrated and, according to
the good fashions to Maryland, there was a
dinner and ball Among the toasts on
that occasion, the first having taken notice
of the great blessings Of the restoration of
peace, find that the second was, "The United
States-May their confederacy endure forever"
Applause That confederacy has been changed
into more beautiful form of government 1t
has become a Constitution better calculated to
secure the rights of us all. But echo the sem
timent Of Annapolis,and say in different words,
though it is the same sense, "The Constitution
of the United States-May it endure forever"
(Great applause.
4th. The Senate ofthe United Sfates-The rights
Of the States and the integrity Of the Union have
a sure protection in its wisdom and frmness.
The Hon. Mr.. Pratt being called for respond
ed, and offered the following sentiment, which
was received with great applause:
The Union-Wc will stand by all who stand by
it.
After an intermission Of few minutes, the