The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-07

pus; there is the same land where Homer
sung, where Pericles spoke; it is in nature the
same old Greece-but it is living Greece nc
more. (Applause.) a
Descendants of that same people inhabit the
country; yet what is the reason of this mighty
difference? In the midst of present degrade.
ton We see the glorious fragments of ancient
| works of art-temples with ornaments and
Inscriptions that excite wonder and admiration
the remains of once high order of civiliza.
ton, which have outlived the language they
spoke-upon them all Ichabod is written--their
glory hiss departed. Why is this so answer,
their institutions have been destroyed. These
were but the fruits of their forms of Govern.
ment, the matrix from which their grand
development sprung, and when once the insti-
tutions of people have been destroyed, there
is no earthly power that can bring back the
| PrOmethean spark to kindle them here again,
any more than in that ancientland of eloquence,
poetry and song. (Applause.) y. ..4 -
| The same may be said of Italy. Where is
Rome, once the mistress of the world? There
| are the same seven hills now, the same soil,
| the same natural resources; nature is the same;
but what a ruin of human greatness meets the
| eye of the traveller throughout the length and
breadth of that most down trodden land !!
Why have not the people of that heaven
favored cline the spirit that animated their
fathers? Why this sad difference?
1t is the destruction oil her institutions that
has caused it; my countrymen, if we shall in
an evil hour rashly pull down and destroy those
institutions which the patriotic band of our
fathers labored so long and so hard to build
up, and which have done SO much for US and
the world, who can venture the prediction that
similar results will not ensue? Let US avoid it
il we can. / trust the spirit is among US that
will enable US to do it. Let us not rashly try
the experiment, for if it fails as it did in Greece
and Italy and in the South American Republics,
and in every other place, wherever liberty is
once destroyed, it may never be restored to US
again. [Applause.l
There are defects in our Government, errors
in administration, and shortcomings of many
kinds, but in spite of these defects and errors.
Georgia has grown to be great State. Let us
pause here moment. In 1850 there was a
great crisis, but not fearful as this, for of all
l have ever pased through, this is the most
perious, and requires to be met with the
greatest calmness and elaboration.
There were many among US in 1850 jealous
to 60 out OF the Union, to disrupt every tie that
binds them together. Now do you believe, had
that policy been carried out at that time, we
would have been the same great people that
we are to-day? 1t may be that we would,
bat have you any assurance OF that fact
Would you have made the same Advancement
improvement and progress in all that consti-
tutes material wealth and prosperity that we
have?
l notice in the Comptroller. Generals report,
that the taxable property of Georgia is $780,.
100000 and upwards, an amount not far from
double that it was in 1850 | think may ven
ture to say that for the last tea years the ma
terial wealth of the people of Georgia has been
nearly, if not quite doubled. The same may
be said of our advance in education, and every
thing that marks our civilization. Have we
any assurance that had we regarded the earn.
est but misguided patriotic advice, as think,
of some of that day, and disrupted the ties
which bind US to the Union, We would have
advanced as we have? think not. Well then,
let US be careful now before we attempt any
rash experiment of this sort. know that there
are friends whose patriotism do not intend to
question, who think this Union curse, and
that we would be better off without it, I do
not so think; if we can bring about correc-
ton Of these evils which threaten-and am
not without hope that this may yet be done
this appeal to 60 out. with all the provisions
for good that accompany it, look upon as
great and fear afatal temptation.
When l look around and see our prosperity
in everything, agriculture. commerce, art,
science and every department of education,
physical and mental, as we'll as mol al advance.
ment, and our colleges, | think in the face of
such an exhibition, if we can without the loss
of power, or any essential right or interest re-
main in the Union, it is our duty to ourselves
yield to this temptation--do so. Our first pa.
rents. the great prOgenitors of the human race,
were not without a like temptation when in the
garden of Eden. They were led to believe that
their condition would be bettered-that their
eyes would be opened-and that they would
become as gods. They in an evil hour yielded
instead Of becoming gods they only saw their
own nakedness.
l look upon this country with our institutions
as the Eden Of the world, the paradise of
the universe. 1t may be that out of it we
may become greater and more prosperous, but
am candid and sincere in telling you. that
fear if we rashly evince passion and without
sufficient cause shall take that step, that in.
| stead of becoming greater or more peaceful,
prosperous and kappy-instead of becoming
gods, we will become demons, and at no dist.
ant day commence cutting one another's
thr0ats. This is my apprehension. Let US,
therefore, whatever we do. meet these Difficult.
ties, great as they are, like wise and sensible
men, and consider them in the light of all the
consequences which may attend our action.
Let US see first clearly where the path of duty
leads, and then we may not fear to tread there
IN.
But, if under LINcoLN's administration,
the attempt should be made by act of Con-
gress, to exclude slavery from the common
Territories, or to repeal or modify the Flu
gitive slave law so as to weaken its efficacy,
Mr.. STEPHENS says" disrupt the ties Of the
Unicn"-"keep your powder dry, and let
your assailants have lead if need be. But
wait for an act of aggression"
WHAT MR.. STEPHENS RECOMMENDS.
Believing that the times require action, I am
for presenting the question fairly to the people,
for calling together an untrammeled conven.
ton, and presenting all the questions to them
whether they will go out of the Union. or what
course OF resistance in the Union they may
think best, and then let the Legislature act,
when the people in their majesty are heard land
tell you now, whatever that convention does.
hope and trust our people will abide by.
advise the calling of a convention with the
earnest desire to preserve the peace and har.
mony of the State. should dislike above all
things to see violent measures adopted or q dis
position to take the sword in hand, by indiyid.
uals, without the authority of law.
Should Georgia determine to 60 out of the
Union, speak for one, though my views might
not agree with them, whatever the result NAV
be, shall bow to the will of her people. Their
cause is my cause, and their destiny is my des.
tiny; and trust this will be the ultimate
course of all. The greatest curse that can be.
fall free people is civil war.
But, as said, let us call convention of the
people let all these matters be submitted to
it, and when the will of majority of her PEG.
| pie has thus been expressed, the whole State
| will present one unanimous voice in faver of
whatever may be demanded; for believe in
the power Of the people to govern themselves
- Now when this convention assem-
hles If il shall Ia coliod aa hona II mon