The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-09-19
SPEECH OF SENATOR SEWARD,
Delirered a: lansing, Ser.emIer 6sA, 1860.

Detirered a. Lansing, SeTte,aoer 6th, 1860.
FELLOW CITIZENS II was leaving one misty
morning in September, the city of Jerusalem,
with my servants and pack horses, to carry
provisions and clothing, having four marines of
the United States Navy for guard, and an Arab
sheik, secured by proper bribes, to give me q
safe conduct across the mountains Of Judsa,
from the Holy City TO the Dead Sea- The Gov.
ernor had assigned me q janissary, under the
responsibility of the bastinado. 10 see that We
got safely out OF the dangerous passes As We
climbed one Of the lofty hills which skirfed the
Dead Sea, We came upon a party of native
Arabs, who came out TO meet US The chief
rode up 10 the head OF our column, and de-
manded in loud voice OF the shek, "HOw
much man is here." Qaughter.) He counted
the whole party, and replied show much man"
there vas, by giving the number in the ranks
Standing here, in the midst of fifteen thousand
treemen, | might ask the same question, in the
same sense in which the Arab used it-mcanins
how many men are here
But tattering as i, is TO see so many gathered
| together 10 listen 10 my words, deem il of much
| more importance 10 ask show mnth man is
here, than to inquire how many. like to
speak to as much of manhood as | can, while
am quite Indifferent as to numbers
Fellow citizens, il is not, after all 80 much
compliance with the kind invitation Of the
Republicans of Michigan which has brought
me here, as il is my own desires l have an
| interest In Seeing the newly formed capital of
an embryo State, the organization and devel-
opment of free institutions, the prosperity of
free people; and l would willingly travel over
| many weary miles of cordurov road, If l could
| reach the center of such and 80 prosperous
community.
l would gladly derive from the gathered
masses of my countrymen the inspiration need.
ful TO instruct ME in conveying the lessons
which our popular life and development are
perpetually teaching. Believing, as l do. that
| man is but for day, while humanity is univer.
sal, l shall have nothing 10 say to You about
men. II know myself, | have no prejudice
against any man, however widely he may differ
| from me in opinion. Holding fast to principles,
| independently of personalities, wish to say that
society always excuses bad measures and bad
principles when they are adopted by those whom
| they approve, and with whom they are accustom-
| ed to cooperate. But if can find out the prin.
ciples which move men, shall then be able to
Judge inteligently how far they are to be trusted
| as guides In order TO determine any matter
Justly, We should know the PRINCIPLES involved
in it,
Nothing new arises before US for settlement,
that is not related TO what has gone before
What has been of old, was yesterday, is to-day,
| and Will be again Tomorrow. We fulfil our part
upon the stage, pass Off and let the responsible.
ty devolve upon our SUCCESSORS. Within the
past three years We have added two new States
to the federal Union, and in the next ten wears
We shall have added four more.
The question that mOsts interests US as pat.
riots is this-What kind of a nation shall We
| become? We are so far on our way, and nov,
If the only question for Us were, how shall We
consult our own ease and peace: We might say
we are safe now any way. We are living to-
day, and perish tomorrow, and in no danger.
If We sought only our own peace, we might adopt
the Indifferent creed OF that political philosopher
who don't care whether slavery is voted up, or
| voted down.
But TO those coming up after us, the settle.
| ment Of that question is as vital and important
as the settlement of the question of the Ameri-
can Revolution was TO our fathers. Why, fellow
citizens, they might have enjoyed peace, and Sc.
curity, and prosperity, and not care for the ques.
ton what led them to undertake and carry
| through that arduous revolutionary struggle.
But they cared for their pOsterity, for US, and
therefore they settled the question then and there.
Fellow citizens, what you in the West want
| is, TO bnild nation which shall be free, pros.
| porous and honored; a nation which shall be
| acknowledged and looked upon AS the greatest
people whom the crcling sun has ever looked
| down upon from the beginning of time.
Do you want anything less? Ii SO, you are
! not worthy of the great trust committed to your
charge. What kind of nation then do you
want. Just such nation as the State OF Michi-
| gan land where every man may sit happy
| and free, not indeed under his own vine and fig
| tree, but under his own apple, peach, and shade
L frpa Wi N tn ms aka m nj
| land where all the citizens are free to exercise
| the spontaneous will Of freemen.
You may 60 through the whole South, and
you will never find such a body of citizens ~
this to-day, gathered voluntarily together to dis
| cuss and secure their rights Not in France or
Rome, or any nation Of Europe or Asia, could
| such a meeting he gathered, without band Of
armed dragons being gathered together to dis
perse and trampe them down.
Fellow Citzens-I was undertaking to analyze
this extraordinary spectacle OF a great popular
meeting, discussing with dignity and moderation
the conduct Of their rulers, and to discard from
their service every man who has forfeited their
confidence. The fact of primary importance
here, is that every man is free. am here sur
rounded by $4,000 '.reemen. Now suppose
l tor a moment, fellow citizens that | were sur
rounded by 1900 slaves, or even by 1900
| slaves and 900 freemen, and that having the
| opportunity of assemblage, they were to rise in
insurrection and rebellion. Of course must not
say word OF human rights, or they might rise
| and cat the throats of the 900 freemen.
There can be no such thing as freedom Of de.
bate, where all are slaves.
The next greatness Of Michigan consists ia
the fact that all its citizens are voluntarily colo
Bists. They came here not an enforced emf
grants - they remain here no; because they
| were born here, but because they are willing IN
come and tree TO stay or 10 90.
| Thus, YOU have not people gathered only
from the shores Of Western New York, or born
within your own borders, but people gathered
from every State in the federal Union, and eve-
ry country Of Europe; a people fertile in all
those resources which make great nation q
people which brings from every State just those
elements which infuse life, wealth, and power
You bring the bold, hardy, and enterprising. and
the brave ard fearless men out of every Christian
country on earth. You tring them from E.,
gland, Ireland, Scotland, France, and Italy and
every man who comes il q man fit TO be one o
the founders Of free State. voice in the
crowd-"from Africa, toos"
Reverse this rule. and suppose that instead d
this class Of useful citizens, you brought only
slaves and panpers, or even convicts, a. sont
States export convicts 10 countries that viii take
thep. What a difference in your civilization
and development should We behold
The weak and useless elements in population
never voluntarily eagrate. Boldness, resolu
ton. and enterprise, are the requirements of sue
| ces-ful cnloni-ts No colonies ever succeeded