The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1860-12-15

men are not serious when they talk Of secession.
Sir, hear there is to be convention held at
Nashville. ! am bound TO beAeve that, if worthy
gentlemen meet at Nashville in convention, their
object will be TO adopt conciliatory counsels TO
advise the South to iorbearance and moderation;
and to advise the North to forbearance and mode
ration; and to inculcate principles of brotherly
love and affection, and attachment 10 the Const-
tuition of the country as it now is believe, if
the convention meet at all it will be for this pur
pose; for certainly, if they meet for any purpose
hostile to the Union, they have been singuary in
appropriate in their selection of place. / re-
member, Sir, that, when the treaty of Amiens
concluded between France and England, sturdy
Englshman and distinguished orator, who regard
ed the conditions of the peace as ignominious to
England, said in the House of Commons, that, if
King William could know the terms Oft hat treaty,
he would turn in his coffin Let me commend
this saying of Mr.. Windham, in all its emphasis
and in all its force, to any persons who shall meet
al Nashville for the purpose of concerning meas
uns for the overthrow of this Union over the
bones of Andrew Jackson!
+. .
And now, Mr. President, instead Of speaking
of the possibility utility of secession, instead of
dwelling in those caverns of darkness, instead
of CROPPING with these ideas so full of all that is
horrid and horrible, let come out INTO the light
of day let us enjoy the fresh air of Liberty aud
Union let us cherish those hopes which belong
/ TO us let US devote ourselves II those great OBJ
ects that are fit for our consideration and our
action let us raise our conceptions to the magni-
tude and the importance of the duties that devOlve
Upon us let our comprehension be as broad as
the country for which we act, our aspirations as
high as its certain destiny; let us not be pigmies
in a case that calls for men. Never did there de-
vOlve on any generation of men higher trusts than
now devolves upon us, for the preservation of
this Constitution and the harmony and peace of
all who are destined 10 live under it. Let us
make our genera ton one of the strongest and
brightest links in that golden chain which is des-
tined, l fondly believe, to grapple the people of
all the States to this Constitution for ages To come
We have great, popular, constitutional govern
ment, guarded by law and by judicature and de-
Tended by the affections of the whole people. No
monarchical throne presses these States together,
no iron chain Of military power cncircles them
they live and stand under government popular
in its form representative in its character founded
upon principles of equality, and so constructed,
we hope, az to last for ever. In all its history il
has been bcncfccnt; it has trodlcn down no
mans liberty; It has crushed no State Its daily
respiration is liberty and patriotism; its yet youth.
FIJI veins are full of enterprise, courage aud hon,
orable love of glory and rcnown. Large before,
the country has now, by recent events become
vastly larger. This republic now extends, with a
vast BREADTH across the whole continent The
two great seas of the world wash the one and the
other shore. We realize, on mighty scale, the
beautiful description Of the ornamental border OF
the buckl,r of Achilles -
d" Now, the broad shield complete, the artists
crowned
With his last hand, and poured The ocean
| round:
In living silver seemed the waves 20 roll
And beat the buc,lrr's verge, and bound the
whole"