Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1860-12-26
SPEECH OF HON. VIM. BIGLER.
IH THE T. 6 SENATE Drc II IsgO

The Senate having under consideration The
resolution Of Senator Powell, Of Kentucky, refer
ring $50 much of the Presidents message Al
relates to the present agitatcd and distracted con
ditlon OF the country to Committee Of thirteer
members
Mr. BIGLER said:
took the floor, Mr.. President, on YES.
terday afternoon, for the purpose of making
very fewremarks on the present unhappy
condition of the country. INTENDED then
only to say what was necessary to indicate
my own position on the great question
which is agtating the people Of this coun'
try. That is my only purpose this morn.
ing. | shall reserve for some subsequent
occasion, when perhaps this whole subject
Will be more fully before US, the discussion
OF the main question which it necessarily
presents.
Sir, it was too truly remarked by the
Senator from Mississippi, Mr.. Davis, yes
terday, that we have fallen on evil times.
1t is too sadly apparent that this great
Republic Of ours is in imminent danger of
dissolution. The whole political, social.
and commercial system is seriously dis
turbed, and shows unmistakaLle evidence
OF depression and distress. Commerce,
trade, and finances are disturbed The
banks have ceas ed to redeem their notes
IN specie, and the Treasury of the United
States is unable to meet the current do.
mands upon it. Indeed, sir, general
gloom seems to have spreadover the entire
country. Why is all this ? Have the eIe-
ments OF prosperity, progress, and thrift
IN the country become suddenly exhaust |
ed? No, sir; these were never more
abundant than now. What is Il. then |
Why sir, disguise it as you may, this sad
picture is the result of a political panic.
! almost shrink from enunciating the pre.
else cause, obvious as think it is to every
Senator, and to every intelligent man in
the land. The startling cause is, that men
are beginning 10 doubt the integrity and
future existence of this Union. State
after State has taken steps on the subject
of Withdrawing from this Confcderacv.
We hear of Legislatures being assembled,
of the people being ordered,
all to consider the grave question whether
our relations are to continue or not. 1t
is not singular, then, that we hare seen
OF deep concern and dis
tress in the land
Sir, this is startling picture but it
seems to me it is the part of patriotism
md duty to took it fairly in the face. Nv
,wn impressions first were, that the less
hat was said here the better. have
changed that impression. | believe that
he times require that the public men, the
elected men of the nation here, should {
'ome up TO this great question. Let the
'eop!e understand what view is taken {
II 1T here. For one, 1 am prepared to ,
eparate myself as far as possible from past {
and party allegiance, and con- l
lder the condition of the country in G
plrlt nf devotion TO its interests. | most /
heartily commend the noble position of c
he Senator from Connecticut, Mr.. Dix.
m. Without understanding the desires y
# the men OF his own party, as he has T
old us, regardless of his connection with a
hem, of his party prejudices-for | be- a
eve he is friend of the President elect a
he has ccme boldly forward and taken r
is position for the Union, for the Union n