The Yazoo Democrat., 1860-03-03
SPEECH OF HON. ROBERT TOOMBs,
OF GEORGIA, "a
IN THE SENATE, JANUARY 25, 1860.
Invasion of States.

The Senate having under consideration the res
olution offered by Mr.. Douglas, directing the Ju-
dietary Committee to report bill for the protec
tion of each State and Territory against invasion
by the authorities and inhabitants of every other
State aud Territory ut
Mr. TOOMBS said:
Mr.. President and Senator's: The leais
ation proposed by the resolution on your
table opens new page in the history Of our
country. Such legislation clearly falls within
the constitutional power of Congress, ard is
a step in the right direction. ! accept it as
an effort to enable the Federal Government
to perform its duty on this subject by pre-.
serving peace among these confederate States
But, sir, fear that the disease lies too deep
for the remedy But it is suggestive, and
furnishes stand point from which we may
well survey the state of the Republic, its
past, its present, and its future Hitherto
this Government has been enabled to graphic
with and surmouut all the difficulties; foreign
or domestic, which have impcded its course
or threatened its safety. Indeed, before the
adoption of the present Constitution, in fact,
before the adoption Of any Federal Govern
ment whatever, the spirit of nationality,
common interest; a common danger, carried
the country nearly through the war Of the
revolution. The articles Of confederation
were adopted by all the States, and were not
legally binding on any State until the first
of March, 1871, which was within eight
months of the brilliant termination of hos.
tilities at Yorktown. Very soon after the
organization of our existing Government,
fierce and earnest party struggles began !;
mems passions were deeply aroused; but none
felt that the State was in danger. They were
then mere party questions; men then divided
on the policy of jays treaty, alien and sedi
ton laws, acquisition of new territory, the
embargo, war with Great Britain, French al,
lance, tariffs, currency, ,and internalimprove
ments by the Federal Government Some
of these questions were of deep Importance
to society. Some of them rose to the dignity
of constitutional questions; but none of them
involved the existence or permanent safety
of society; and when submitted to the arbi-
trament of the ballot box, all men submitted
quietly to the result, becauee the fundameu.
tai principles of the social fabric were not
affected by the result.
Now, all this has changed. The feeling
of nationality, of loyalty to the State, the
feeling Of g common interest and common
destiny, upon which foundation alone socio-
Ity can securely and permanently rest, is
gradually but rapidly passing away. Hostility
to the compact of Union, to the tie which
binds us together, anmates the bosoms and
finds utterance in the tongues of millions of
our couutrymen and leads to the habitual
disregard of its plainest duties and obliga>
tions. Large bodies of men now feel and
know that party success involves public dam
ger; that the result may bring us face to face
with revolution. Senators, we all feel it in
this chamber; we hear it proclaimed here
every day; we hear it proclaimed daily in
the other branch Of Congress we hear it
from State legislatures, from the pulpit
and the press, and from popular assemblies
throughout the length and breadth of this
broad land. ImpotentSthreats, such as were
made yesterday by the senator from Maine,
will not arrest its onward march. Idle
gasconade, such as was used by the senator
from Iowa and, | think, by the senator
from Illinois, Mr. Trumbull, and their as
sociates in this aud tue other house of Con-
gress, to put it down by the strong arms Of
their constituents, will not arrest'its steady
advance | would only suggest to them that
it may be wise to reserve their boastings un,
til they are returning from the battle-Di>
vine wisdom cautions even the brave against
using them in going into battle. The public
danger can only be averted by the removal
Of It's real causes.
These causes are plain, palpable, apparent
to the lowest comprehension. The funda-
mental principles of the system Of our social
Union are assailed, invaded and threatened
with destruction; our ancient rights and lib
critics are in danger; the peace and tranquil.
ity of our homes have been invaded by law
less violence, and their further invasion is
imminent; the instinct Of self-preservation
arouses society to their defence, These are
the causes which are undermining, and
which, if not soon arrested, will overthrow
the Republic. The effect of this state Of
public affairs is so well portrayed by an en-
inent English writer that will take the lib
erty Of quoting paragraph from him. I
read from Mr.. Mill on the Logic of the Nor,
al Sciences, page 5S2:
ca The second condition Of permanent political
society has been found to be the existence, in
some form or other of the feeling of loyalty This
feeling may vary ia its objects, and is not confined
to any particular form Of government; but wheth-
er in democracy or in a monarchy, its essence is
always the same, namely that there be in the
constitution Of the State something which is set
tied, something permanent and not to be called in
question; something which, by general agreement,
has right to be where it is and to be secure
against disturbance, whatever else may change.
"a state never is, nor until mankind are vastly
improved can hope to be, for any long time ex-
empt from internal dissenson; for there neither
is nor has been any state of society in which col
Gsions did not occur between the immediate inte-
rests and passions Of powerful sections of the peo-
pie. What then, enables society to weather these
storms and pass through turbulent times without
any permanent weakening Of the ties which hold
it together Precisely this-that, however inn
portant the interests about which men fall out,
the conflict does not affect the fundamental prin-
ciples of the system of social union which hap
pens to exist nor threaten large portions of the
community with the subversion of that ON which
~. Lo~ra k..sI4 - A.