The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-03-02

as William w, King of Great Britain, to
the immortal act of Parliament, grander
far than any victory of war, by which
Slavery was abolished throughout the British
dominions Sir, time and the universal con-
science have yindicated the labors of WILDER
force. The movement against American Sla-
very, auspicated by the august names of Wash
ington, Franklin, and Jefferson, can calmly
await similar judgment
But it is suggested that, in this movement,
there is danger to the Union. In this solicitude
cannot share. AS a lover of concord and a
jealous partisan of all things that make for
peace, | am always glad to express my attach
ment to the Union but | believe that this
bond will be most truly preserved and most
benefcently extended, flor | shrink from no
expansion where Freedom leads the way) by
firmly upholding those principles of Liberty
and Justice which were made its early corner
stones. The true danger to this Union pro-
ceeds, not from any abandonment of the "pe-
culiar institution" of the South, but from the
abandonment of the spirit in which the Union
was formed; not from any warfare within the
limits of the Constitution, upon slavery, but
from warfare, like that waged by this very
bill, upon Freedom. The Union is most pre-
cious; but more precious far are that /" general
welfare" domestic tranquility" and those
BLESSINGS of Liberty" which it was establish
ed to secure; all which are now wantonly en-
dangered Not that love the Union less, but
Freedom more, do now, in pleading this great
cause, insist that Freedom, at all hazards, shall
be preserved.
One word more, and | have done. The
great master, Shakespeare, who, with all
seeing mortal eye, observed mankind, and
with immortal pen depicted the manners as
they rise, has presented q scene, which may be
read with advantage by all who would plunge
the North. | refer to the well-known
dialogue between Brutus and Cassius. Read
ing this remarkable passage, it is difficult not
to see in Brutus our own North, and In Cassius
the South:
Cassius. Urge me no more; shall forget myself;
Have mind upon Your be"vb temp. me no further
Brltns.s -=-=Tv.-=-H Hear me for I will speak.
Must give way and room to your rash choler?
Cassius o ye gods. ye gods Must endure all this
B,utals. All this? ay, moro. Fret, till your proud
heart break;
Go, shew your slaves how choleric you are,
And mako your bondmen tremble. Must bulge ?
Must observe you Must stand and crouch
Under your testy humor
Cassius. Do not presume too much upon my love;
may do that shall be sorry for.
Byutus You have done that you should be sorry for
There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats;
For am armed so strong in honesty,
That they pass by the idle wind,
Which regard not.
Cassius friend should bear his friends infrmties
But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.
Brmtms. I do not TILL YOU PRACTICE THEM
ON ME.
CosSius. You love me not.
Brutus ---I do not like your faults.
JnAus Cesar, Act 4, scene g.
And the colloquy proceeding each finally
comes to understand the other, appreciates
his character and attitude, and the impet-
uous, gallant Cassius exclaims, Give me
your hand to which Brutus replies, And
my heart too" Afterwards, With hand and
heart united, on the field of Philippi they to-
gether upheld the liberties of Rome.
The North and the South, sir, as foadly
trust, amidst all differences of opinion, will
ever have hand and heart for each other
and, believing in the sure prevalence of AL
mighty Truth, confidently look forward to the
good time, when both will unite, according
to the sentiments of the fathers and the true
spirit of the Constitution, in declaring Freedom
and not Slavery national, while Slavery and not
Freedom shall be sectional. Then will be
achieved that Union, contemplated at the be-
ginning against which the storms of faction
and the assaults of foreign power shall beat in
vain, as upon the Rock of Ages; and LIBERTY,
seeking a firm foothold, aoillhave at last WHERE
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