Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-06-21

not been settled ask what would have been the STATE :,
country now You men Of Erie county, you men ofNs~
York. conure you 90 home tonight and meditze ons
subject What would have been the state of this coun1
at this moment, il these laws had not been passed
have given my opinion that should have had civil war
refer il to you therefore, for your consideration mediate
on it do not be carried away by any notions or IDEAS Of
metaphysics think practically the great question Of VIVA,
would have been the condition Of the United States at A
moment if had settled these ssitatng questions
Gentlemen will you allow me- for moment, to advert 10
myself have been long time in public life Of course no.
many years remain Al the commencement Of 1885,
something of the condition of the country, thought
the inevitable consequence would be civil danger
in leaving Utah and New Mexico without any government
prey the power Of Texas the condition of things
arising from the interference Of Of the States in defeating
the operation Of the Constitution in respect the restoration
Of fugitive slaves. And, gentlemen, made up my mind to
encounter whatever might betide and allow to say
something which is not entirely unworthy of notice. A
member of the House Of Representatives told that he had
made list Of hundred and forty speeches which had
been made in Congress the slavery question. Tha is
very large number, my friend, said but how is that ~
"Why said be, Northern gets up and speaks with
considerable power and uency until the Speakers hammer
knocks him down. Then gets up Southern man, and he
speaks with warmth He is the sun, and be
against the North. He speaks his hour and is
in turn knocked down. And 50 has gone on until have
got hundred and forty speeches my list" "Well"
said l. "where they and what they " elf the
Speaker" said he, 'was Northern man, be held forth
against slavery and he from the South be abused the
North anu all those speeches. were sent by the members TO
their localities where they the of the local
irritation which existed at the time. No read both
Sides In this way the other side of the question
heard" thought that in this state Of things something
to be done. You cannot suppose that Indifferent to
the danger ! am Massachusetts man, and know what
Massachusetts used to be. am Massachusetts, Mas
sachusets has kept me great while in Congress. Twill
honor Der; respect her, and to do long as
livs (Applausel
taken different course from what did take II may al
Jude to any thing insignificant myself suppose that
the 7h Of March, instead Of making speech that would
far my power went reconcile the country, bad joined in
the general clamor Of the party Suppose had sad, 81
will have nothing to do with any accommodation will
admit satisfaction; will let Texas invade New Mexico
we will leave New Mexico and Utah to take Of them
selves, and will plant ourselves the Wimot provso,
and let the devil take the hindermost Now gentlemen
do not to that great consequences would have fol-
lowed from that; but suppose had taken such
How could be blamed for it, Was not Massachusetts
man Did not know Massachusetts, sentiments and preu-
dces ! But what Of that I am an American [Geat
applause. was made whole man. and don't mean to
make myself half Tremendous outburss Of applause
felt had duty to perform TO my country to my
puaon for faeed myself that service Of forty years
had given me character. ! thought it my duty,
and did not what to be the consequence felt it
was duty to out to act for my country, and my
whole country, and exert any power had to keep that
country together. Great applause feared for nothing,
afraid Of nothing but meant to do my duty Duty per-
formed makes man happy duty neglected makes man
unhappy. J. therefore, gentlemen in the face Of all circum
stances and all Dangers ready to go forth and do what
thought my county your country demanded Of me- And,
gentlemen allow say here today that if the fate Of
John Rogers had been presented to if had the
stake if had heard the thorns already cracking by the
blessing Of Almighty God, would have gone on, and dis
charged the duty which thought my country called upon
to perform. would have become martyr to that
country.
And now, gentlemen, farewell. Live and be happy.
Live like patriots. Live like Americans Live in the
oymen Of the nestmabe blessings which your fathers pre-
pared for you and if any thing that may do hereafter
should be inconsistent in the slightest degree with the opn
ions and principles which have this day addressed to you
then discard me forever from your recollection.