The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1860-12-26

do not care 10 inquire into the question OF
the right of secession. Whether it be a
right, or whether, when a State Rilhdraws,
1t Is revolution, the consequence TO the Sc
cedlng Stale and 10 the remaining States
will be essentially the same, and The reme-
/ dy, II remedy there be, will be the same -
But HE point ! wish to make is this even
II il be right, is it just to the other States
TO resort TO that remedy until redress has
been sought and denied al the very foup-
| tain OF political power and authority. and
I through the precise channels in which this
ConIederacy was formed! | think not
! Such precipitate action is not Just 10 their
friends. Let the Southern States ask the
people OF this Confederacy, separate and
aside from ordinary political considerations
TO consider and adjust this Question. Let
them ask redress for their grievances at The
hands of those who have the power to grant
1t, and in the form prescribed in the COM
pact under which we live. If redress be
denied, if two thirds of :he States refuse 10
call convention, if three fourths o! the
States decline 10 approve such amendments
TO the Constitution as they deem essential
10 the protection of their rights and to the
maintenance of their equality in The Union
then the time will have arrived for consid-
ering this question of dissolution But until
all other means have been exhausted, II
should not, cannot be, seriously enter
tained.
Mr.. President, | am one of those who be-
heve that the remedy for the present dis
tracted condition of the country, after all
must sooner or latter, come from the peo-
pie, ii it is to come at all and be permanent.
do no: say that amendments should net
De sG1snl5sa sseo or ad11Gsthsn can pass
Congress that will meet this case. 1t is
hardly TO be expected that the politicians or
partisans of the country brought into posi-
ton in the midst Of party struggles, COM
mlieG 10 one side or other OF the contro-
vered points, are prepared for this delicate
work II must 90 into other hands. Let
the people select representatives on this
single subject alone, and to remedy the de-
fects which experience has shown, and If
needs be, give new guarantees TO the ag
grieved Stat Then. sir, you will have J
singleness Of purpose, and our Southern
friends will ascertain lhe real sentiment of |
the Northern people in reference to their
rights and position in the Union and while
| confess that all the evidence seems TO be |
on The other side, have a belief that in /
ba oil OF bo |
North would prevail-hat the South would |
be met in spirit of justice, fraternity, and |
even generosity.
But ii may be asked, as it has been al |
ready, what is TO become of the country in |
the meantime ? What measures shall be |
adopted 10 arrest the progress of dissolution! |
| confess, Mr.. President, am not prepared |
to answer that question. That is more es
pecialIy for our friends from these States !
which are moving for secession. If they
know no means of arrestiug the progress Of
separation, then, sir, we are truly in hope
less condition. But am not so desponden;.
| have still hope that if there ere such in
dications from the Nouh OF n disposition TO
deal kindly on the subject to hear their
Southern brethren fairly and fully, and an
swer, if possible, iayorably their demands,
there would be feeling OF reaction in the
South; that men would rise above the
madness of the, hour, and stay the fatal
step, al least for brief season, and another
effort would be made 10 save the Govern
ment, and to satisfy the southern States
that they can maintain their rights within
The Union.
Sir, am not of those who view this dis
ease lightly. am sensible that it is deep
seated, and to some extent malignant, but
not incurable. 1t is not my purpose TO talk
OF distinctive propositions now; but | do
say that the best possible remedy that would
be applied, silence forever The war of Grim
inaion in the North, would be 10 separate
this question Of slavery, as far as possible,
from the popular elections in the none
slave holding States. There are a class OF
men. we all know, in the North, who are
jealous and kincete enemies of slavery,
and so long as they can discovst the slight
est opportunity OF interfering 10 perform
what they call duty, they will keep up
these assaults and an unjust war upon the
feelings of the citizens OF the S5uthern
States. Separate them entirely, so that they
can have no connection with il, can in no
way influence The qustion of where slavery
should be or where it shall go, or whether
it shall be carried into our new Territories,
or even from The question of the admis-
sion OF State, whether il be free or slave.
How can that be done? Sir, | do not
wish TO be understood as presenting any
view 10 which | shall adhere with tenacity
threw ont general views for what they are
worth. am so convinced Of the wisdom
and the true policy of maintaining this
Confederacy entire, that | will resort 10 any
honorable eYDe2ieni any reasonable meas.