Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-12-26


of dollars for her territory, suppose. now, sne
says that she will walk out, Of her own yolition.
Texas was engaged in r0f revolution with
Mexico, and achieved her independence. She
applied for admission, and when admitted,
she was oppressed by debt and harrassed by
the Indians on her borders. In 1850 we took
the territory lying to the north of her, when
she had not power to protect her citizens, and,
in addition to that. gave her ten millions of
dollars and yet Texas now presumes, upon
her own volition, to walk out OF the Union.
Were there TO other parties to the compact
Did we take in California and Texas just to
benefit them? Nay the compact was recip-
rocal for the benefit of the States, and having
entered into the compact, they have no right
to withdraw without the consent of the other
States. He referred to the purchase of the
Territory of Louisiana for S S15, ,000, ,000 protec-
ting it while a Territory, and admitting it as
State into the Union. Yet said he, now it is
claimed Louisiana can go out, and perhaps at
tempt to close the mouth OF the Mississippi,
from the Great West. s.-
Mr.. Slidell said that no person in Louisiana
wished to restrict the free navigation of the
Mississippi River. -,
Mr.. JoHNsoN-Perhaps there is no wish to
restrict the navigation now, but who can tell
the change that circumstances may make?
These States, before they were admitted into
the Union, were held as Territories and PROV
inces. Suppose they go out now, what condi.
tion do they place themselves in Are they
States, or do they go back TO the copdition of
Territories 1t was one of the principles OF
the Government to appropriate territory if it
was in danger Of being occupied by the enc
mics of the Government, or, if necessary, to
the Government from its geographical position.
Mr.. Johnson here quoted the Ostend letter as
setting forth that doctrine in regard to Cuba.
The principle will apply to Louisiana or South
of 10 and fhar t,x,1 Ion
ger the Government. The Government has,
under this principle, to seize and hold them
as provinces. Mr.. johnson then referred to
the speech Of Ex-Governor Manning of South
Carolina, in which he said, ssCotton is king,
and, if necessary, the army and navy of Eng
land and France will be called upon to protect
its culture and transportation" Is this Gov
ernment prepared for state OF things like
this? Mr.. johnson then quoted from the
proclamation of the Governor of Arkansas,
s'about the secret workings by the British
Government in this country to promote dis
union" But is the United States to be told
by State that the army and navy of England
and France shall be brought here to protect
that State; Can the Government permit this
without violation of the law Of self -preser-
yaton? Has South Carolina any right to
draw her sister States into one common ruin
Mr.. johnson here quoted from Gov. Gist's
Message and from Mr.. Keitt's speeches TO show
that such was the intention. He (Johnson)
would tell South Carolina that as far as Ten
nessee was concerned she would not be drag
ged into Southern or any other Confederacy
until she had time to consider about it, He
would also tell the Northern States that Ten
nessee would not be driven ont of the Con-
federacy either. Ii the AbJlitionists wanted
to abolish Slavery, the first step they would
take would be to dissolve the Union. The
existence OF Slavery demands preservation
of the Union. What protection will the bor-
der States have if the Union is dissolved,
whose property is at stake, and whose inter-
ests are most endangered 2 II division were
commenced, where would it stop? Rather
than see the Government divided into thirty
three petty, wraDgling powers, he would see
it q consolidated Government and consolidated
power. 1t might occur TO the border States
that it was better for them to establish Cen
trail Republic, instead of going with the Sou
thern States, and form friendly alliances with
the Northern border States. He referred in
eloquent terms to the association of the strug-
gle for Independence, and the great men of
the different Central States binding them to-
gether. In connection with the idea of a
Central Republic might also occur the idea
how was the capital founded by Washington,
which could not be given exclusively to the
N orth or South He avowed in his place here
he never wonld enter any Government, North
or South, less democratic than the one under
which we now live-neyer! neverl He read
extracts from the newspapers of Columbus,
Ga, suggesting monarchical Government,
to show that there was party at the South
in favor of monarchy, and to ask the South
to consider what Government it was going
under. Is il not better ato bear the ills we
have than fly 10 others we know not of 2'' It
might be that some Louis Napoleon was ready
to seize on the reins of the Government.
Tennessee never passed under a less democrat
c Government. 1t intended to stand by the
Constitution and demand faithful pertor-
nance of the guarantees. 1t would not be
driven out of the house built by our forefath-
ers. 1t wanted to stay the rash and precipi-
tate action of some portion of the South
which runs to such red-hot madness, and also
mad Aboltionism at the North. He still trus-
ted in God that the Union would be preser-
we'd, and intended to hold to it a palladium
of civil liberty, as the shipwrecked mariner
clings to plank to save himself. Where is
the grievance that operates upon South Caro-
lima Is it because they want to take slaves
into the territory. Both of her Senators said
at the last session there was no need of it now.
What is the reason for disunion? Because
our man was not elected. If Mr.. Breckenridge
had been elected, not one would have wanted
TO break up the Union but Mr.. Lincoln is
elected, and now they say they will break up
the Union. He said, No. What was there
to fear !! Mr.. Lincoln was minority Presi- |
dent. Let South Carolina send her Senators
back, and Mr.. Lincoln cannot even make
Cabinet without the consent OF the Senate.
Was he to be such a coward as to retreat when
it was evident the South had the power i'm |
their own hands Was he to be SO cowardly |
as to desert noble band at the North who |
stood by the South on principle 2 Yet, for
temporary defeat it is proposed to turn our
backs on them and leave them to their fate.
We have nothing to do but to stand firmly at |
our posts like men, and in four years. time /
Lincoln and his party will both be hurled from |
Wha then il fhar Gor Il