The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-02-19
PATRIOTIC SENTIMENTS-SENAToR
CRITTENDEN'S SPEECH.

The Hon. John ]. Crittenden. os Kentucky,
made speech in the United States Senate on
the lst, upon the proposition TO take up the
bill admitting Minnesota into the Union as
State. The distinguished orator, after justly
and powerfully opposing the proposition TO
defer further action upon the bill until Kan
sas should be ready for admission, diverged
somewhat from the immediate subject under
consideration, and made the following patri-
otic appeal in behalf of the Union. The sen.
timents here uttered are SO just, so touching,
and so true, that they deserve being written
in letters of gold and engraved upon every
heart. Thus remarks Kentucky's noble son
With all these arguments and views, and
in almost every argument and controversy
that now witness on this floor, are mingled,
to give them strength and point, either prog
nostics OF the overthrow OF this government,
or threats against u. existence. This is the
common Strengthening means now thrown
into every argument here. While we prize
the Union, while we would, am sure. and
the very gentlemen who use this language
would do all they could to preserve and per-
pe.uate the Constitution and the Union, there
is not a day that we are not DOOMED to listen
here, over and over again, to threats Of its
overthrow; predictions made, little prophecies
thrown out, that to-day, or Tomorrow, or at
some day Ecar at hand, this government 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 familarly used, and thrown into every
argument as make weight-as dust in the
balance--if these threats can be made here
against the existence of the Union, and if
they can have any effect opon the people of
this country, then, indeed, sir, We may well
apprehend that il cannot last long. hope it
will last forever; and il nobody threatened it
until did, it would last for ever. Applause
in the galeries.l Yes sir, and il will last
much longer than gentlemen here. by con
tinual repetition and reflection, and medita
ton, believe to be so Near ut hand; and it
would last much longer, perhaps. but for these
meditations. They prize it so highly that the
remotest danger affects them and they forth
with begin to prophecy that its end is near at
hand; or they are provoked Mt something
which is done which they think is adverse to
the interests of the Republic and the Union,
and then they threaten; but oil this is promot-
ing the very purpose and the very end against
which know, in their heart, they are oppos-
ed, and with their hands would oppose.
We should do well, think, 10 throw out
Of all our ordinary course of argument these
threats and these prophecies. believe the
TIninn is IN liva moi ha.ansa I u,iak n or ynu
wish it, sir, but II is to live for ages: | believe
it is enshrined in the hearts of the people,
and they will be its sustainrrs and MAINTAIN
ers even if we should be recreant to the part
we nre to act, and desire its overthrow. It's
not in our power-thank God il is not in the
power of the Senate, or of the Congress of
the United States, to overthrow this govern
ment, and rejoice in il.