Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-12-24

ais. ff4ue {Heif gflVale opinions II t1ey tGllk
them more important TO the world than this
mighty interest of the Union aud govern
ment OF the United Statesg
Sir, il is 2 cheap sacrifice. 1t Is a glorions
sacrifice. This Union cost a great deal TO
establish IL; ii cost the yieldingof much OF
public opinion and much of policy, besides
the direct aud indirect cost OF ii ia all the
war to establish the independence OF this
country. When il was done General Wash
ington himself said, Providence has helped
as. or we could not have accomplished this
thing And this gift of our wisest men; this
great work of their hands; this work in the
foundation and the structure of which Previ-
dence herself, with her 6enigaant hand helped
ARE we to give it ali up for such small con-
siderations ? The present evaporation the
present feeling OF disunion, is the result
of long-continued controversy on the sub
ieet of slavery and of territory. | shall not
attempt to trace that controversy it is un-
necessary to the occasion, and might be
harmful. In relation to such controversies
Twill say. though, chat all the wrong is never
on one side or all The right on the other.
Right and wrong IA this world and in all such
controversies are mingled together.
forbear now any discussion or any refer
ence to the right or wrong of this controver-
sy, the mere party controversy but, in the
progress of party, we now come to a point
where party ceases to deserve consideration
aud tue preservation of the Union demands
our highest and oar gre4test exertio0s. To
preserve the Constitution is the highest duty
of the Senate. the highest duty of Goa gress-to
preserve it and to perpetuate H. that we may
hand down the gIOries which we have re-
ceived to our children and 10 our posterity,
aud to, generations far beyond us. We are,
Senators, IN positions where history is to take
notice of the course we pursue. History is
to record us. Is it to record that when the
destruction of The Union was imminent
when we saw it tottering 10 its fall; vs. hen
we saw brothers aruiing heir hands for hos
tility with one another. we stood .quafreling
about points of party politics; about ones
tons which we attempted to sanctfy aud con-
seerate .by sppealing to our cofiscience as the
source of theu,s Are we TO allow such fearful
catastTophes TO oecur while we stand trifliag
away our time? While we stand Thus. show
ing our inferioriiy TO the great and mighty
dead. showing our inferiority to the high po-
sitiOHs which we occupy, the country may be
destroyed and ruined; and. 10 the amaz ment
of all the world, the great Republic may fall
PROSTATE and in ruins. carrying with it the
very hope of that liberty which we have
heretofore enjoyed; carrying with il. 10 place
Of the peace we have enjoyed. nothing but
revolution and havoc and anarchy. Shall it
to come upon onr country. WI bile We were en-
gagged in the petty and small disputes aud de-
bates to which have referred? Can it be
that our name is to rest in history with this
everlasting stigma and blot npon ii I?
Sir, wish t. God it was in nv power to
preserve this Union by renouuclug or agree
ing to give up every conscientious aud other
opinion. | might not be able to discard it
from my mind; am under no obiiga-
lions TO do that. L may retain the opin-
ion, but If can do so great a goud as to
preserve my conntry and give it peace,
and its institutions aud its UniOn stabili-
ty will forego any action upon my opin-
ions Well now, my tIiends, undressing the
Republican Senators. that is all that is ask
I'd of you. Consider it well, and | do not
distrust the result As to the rest of this
body, the gentlemen from the South, wOdld
say to them.can you ask more than this !?
Are you bent on revolution, bent on di-union?
God forbid il. l cannot believe thai such
madness possesses the American people. This
gives reasonable satisfaction. Lean spe,k
With confidence only of my own State. Old
Kentucky will be satisfied with it, and she
will stand by the Union and die By the Union
if this satifactiOn be given. Nothing shall
seduce her. The clamor of no revolution,
the seduetions and temptations of no reyolu-
ton will tie Dpt her TO move one step. She
has stood always by the side Of the Constitu-
ton she has always been deToted to it, and
is to this day. Give her this satisfaction
and L believe all the States of the South that
are not DESTROYS of disnuion as better thing
than the Uuion aud Inc Constitution will b.
satisfied and will adhere to the Union, and
we shall go on again in our great career of
national prosperity and national glory.
But, sir, tits not necessary for me to speak
to yotI>of the-conseqnences that will follow
disuniOn. Who of US is not proud of the
greatness we have achieved Disunion and
separation destroy that greatness. Once dis
united, we are no longer great. The nations
of the earth. who have hooked upon Us "a a
formidable Power, mighty Power, and ris-
ing to untold and immeasuFable greatness in
the future, will scott at you. Your flag, that
now claims the respectsof the world, that pro-
tects American property in every port and
harbor in the world, that protects the rights
of your citizens every where, what will be.
come of it? What becomes of its glorious
influence? 1t is gone and with it the pro-
lection OF American citizens and property
To say nothing of the national honor which
it displays to all the world, the protection of
your rights, the protection of YOUR property
abroad is gone with that national flag. and
we are hereafter to conjure and contrive
different flags for our differel; republics ac-
cOrdlnS 10 the ItVer1sn IdncleS OF revolution
airy patriots and disturbers of the peace of the
world. No, sir, want to follow no such flag.
want to preserve the Union of my country.
We have it in our power to do so, and NE are
responsible if we do not
do not despair of the Republic. When /
see before me Senators of so much intelligence
and so much patriotism, who have been so
honored by their country, sent here as the
guardians of that very Union which is now
in question, sent here as the guardiansof our
national rights, as guardians of that national
flag, | cannot despair; L cannot despond.
cannot but believe that they viii fnd some
means of-recenciling aud adjusting the rights
of all parties, by concessions, il necessary, 50
as to preserve and give more stability TO the
country and to its Institutions.
Mr.. President, have occupied more time
than intended. Ny remarks were designed
and contemplated only to reach to an expla-
nation of this resolution