Washington sentinel., 1854-02-24

some future generation, when this Union is
discovered and torn by intestine factions and
civil wars, your children will rise up with the
clanking CALLING chains of the oppressor upon
their limbs, and curse the memory of those by
whom 1t was brought about-ay, sir, with curses
loud and deep.
know, Mr.. President, that owe an apology
to the Senate for the warmth which i have
manifested In the discussion Of this subject to-
DAY. Those who know my constitutional or
ganizatlon and temperament need no excuse.
They know that it was utterly impossible for
me to speak coolly and deliberately, under the
circumstances which now surround me. But
lew words more, and have done.
am standing here to-day with no previous
Obligations growing out OF the Missouri COM
promise, and with no identification with that of
1901. am standing here to-day as an Ameri-
can senator, called upon to aid in the organi-
zation OF two territorial governments. As the
men OF 1920 ard the men OF 1850 exercised
their judgment and their reason, so intend to
exercise mine when am called upon to act.
Let no man say that / am northern man
with southern principles" ] scorn the impu
tation. am an American with constitutional
principles. am an American who can see no
prosperity, no happiness, for any section of the
Union, except in the maintenance of that sa-
cred instrument. i am an American, making
no inyidious distinctions among the States, en-
tertaining no prejudces against any section,
but claiming the Union as my country. II, in
sustaining these principles, am, as the senator
from Ohio Mr.. CHASE said, kindling a fire
which will consume me-" am ready for the
sacrifice. Better, far better, that | should ter
inmate my political existence now, than have
to reproach myself in old age for having been
instrumental in destroying the liberties of my
country.
Mr.. President, the old party issues that have
divided the country have been measurably OBJ
liberated. The great body of the wings and
democrats in this country are devoted to the
principles Incorporated in this bill. However
widely we may differ as to the best means of
promoting the public good, however much we
may wrangle as to the manner in which the
government shall be administered, however
madly we may dispute in our contests for
power, we have sworn upon the altar of our
common country that this Union shall be pre-
served.
This is the sentiment, sir of the great BODY of
both parties. 1t is not in the name of either
whig or democrat that we can hope for happi-
ness or respect. 1t is in the name of united
Americans alone that we can hope to attain or
maintain true national greatness. The spirits
your lllustrious fathers are looking down and
rejoicing at the progress you are making in all
that tends to ennoble human nature invoke
ynu, then, by the proud character which your
country has assumed among the nations of the
earth, by the sacred memories of the past and
the brilliant hopes of the future, to discounte-
nance every effort which is made to array one
section Of the Union against the other trust
in God, also, the time will come when the down
trodden and oppressed of the Old World, fol-
lowing the example so gloriously set by Amer
lea, will establish political systems based on the
principle of the capacity Of man for selfgoyern-
ment Then
Prone TO the dust Oppression shall be hurled,
Her name, her nature, wihered from the world.'
Mr.. President, still another word / have no
claims upon either the north or the south. Ny
days whether they be few or many, must be
spent upon the shores of the Pacific. When
ever l can no longer be useful in the national
councils to that section of the confederacy, /
will cheerfully return to the peaceful walks of
private life. At my own freside, in the calm
quietude of the domestic circle, surrounded by
those who are bound to me by the ties of kin
dred and affection, may obtain that happiness
which | have not been able TO find in public
station. 1t | were now about to take my de-
parture from this world, | would ask to have
no prouder epitaph inscribed upon my tomb
than this: "Here lies man who cherished no
sectional prejudices, but whose whole life was
devoted to the maintenance of the Union of the
States