American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-02-26
Senator Criltenden on the Union.


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Senator CrilteRden on the Union.
In the course of his speech, on Mon
day last, on the proposition to take up
the bill admitting Minnesota into the
Union, Mr. Crittcndcn Of kentucky
said
With all these arguments and views,
and in almost every argument and con-
troversy that / now witness on this
floor, and mingled to give them strength
sad point, either prognostics of the
overthrow of this Government, or
threats against its existence. This is
the common strengthening means now
thrown into every argument here
While we prize the Union, while We
waald, I am sure, and the very gentle
'Qcn who use this language would do
al they could to preserve and perpet.
uatc the Constitution and the Union,
tHcrc IS not a day that we are not
doomed to listen here, over and over
again, to threats of it's overthrow; pre-
dctions made, little prophecies thrown
mt, that to day, or tomorrow, or at
&omo day near at hand, this Govern
mcnt is to be no more. Sir, this is the
most unfortunate and ominous sign
that exists in the whole country in my
judgment. If such language can be
Familiarity used, and thrown into every
argument as a NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. a
dust in the balancC--if these threats
can be made here against the exist
snce Of the Union, and if they can
have any effect upon the people of this
couE+ry, then indeed, sir, we may we'll
apPrehcnd that it cannot last long. l
hope ii will last forever; and if nobody
threatened it until | did, it would last
for ever. [APplausc in the galleries. ]
Yes, sir, and it will last much longer
than gentlemen here, by continual
repetition and reflection, and mcdta-
ton, believe to be so near at hand;
and it would last much longer, perhaps,
but for these meditations. They prize
1t 80 highly that the rcmotcst danger
affects them; and they forthwith be-
gin to prophecy that its end is near at
land; or they are provoked at some
thing which is done which they think
is adverse to the interests of the Re.
public and the Union, and then they
threaten; but all this is promoting the
very purpose and the very end against
which know, in their heart, they arc
opposed, and with their hands would
oppose.
We should do we'll, | think, to throw
out Of all our ordinary course Of argu-
mcnt these threats and these prophe.
cics. / believe the Union is to live,
not because | wish it, or you wish it,
sir, but it is to live for ages; | believe
it is cnshrined in the hearts of the peo-
pie, and they will be its sustainers and
,naintainers even if we should be re.
creant to tie part VIC arc to act, and
desire its overthrow. 1t is not in our
p0wer-thank God it is not in the pow
or Of the Senate, or Of the Congress of
the United States to overthrow this
Government, and [ rejoice in it Gap.
plause in the gallcrics,)
--s~ - .
Governor Wise las written still an
other Icttcr in which he rcitcratGs his
Tammany hall views on tho SUI, ect OF
tho Lecompton Constitution and on
ether Kansas matters in General, and
sustains them with redoublcd zeal
The consequence is he is fairly read
ont Of the Democratic party and the
predictions Of the Know Nothings, at
the BEGINNING Of his reign, that his par
~ would tire Of kim before four years
expire, are abundant verified. The
Richmond wing contains list of Dem
pcratic papers headed bp the .S2uth the
editor Of which perhaps more than any
man in Virginia, help elect him and
embracing some Of the stauncllcst Jour.
nails in tho State, that openly repudi.
ate him, as diralcct to the South and
unfoithful to the administration. Wise
regards :heir denunciatiOns with n
grim indifference, and says that he will
still treason with his friends and ncy.
81 turn his back upon bis foes. - WeUs-
b,Ug HeraH
Happiness is NJ" promised 10 she
l.. If