The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-02-28
fxEpoRrzD BY A. DnArlER, ESQ.,

d.
1861.
AEPoRrED BY a. DRAPER, ESQ.
Mr.. SPEAKER: doubtless share in the
common feeling ofall upon this floor. wher
| say that the importance cf the subject
now under consideration cannot be ever.
estimated; and, may say further, that in
thesetimes of convu,sion, of alarm aud ex
citement. it i9 almost dangerous for any
one. more especially one as young, and in
experienced in public life as myself, TO al
tempt to navigate tie troubled waters.-
Scylla is upon one side and Chafybdis on
! the other.
But ths spirit that wavers aud falters in
the hour of peril-that shrinks from re-
sponsibiliiy when dangers and responsi-
biiities press around, is unworthy of free
man, therefore, whether err or not,
have an honest heart and purpose in this
matter. and. through the indulgence of this
House, intend to give uttteIance there
| TO.
The history of our country for nearly
eighty four years has been a proud one
/ her penury mas become opulence, her fee
bleness mighty power--her scsnty com
merce the hope of the world, and her few
small colonies, and ocean bounded empire
But in the midst of all this prosperity, and
in the full enjoyments of all the priyil-
eges Of our blessed free government. there
have been those among as, who. to graft
! ty an unworthy political ambition, aud a
narrow. selfish prejudice. have gone about
our fair land sowing the seeds of discord
and civil strife.
The cloud, at first WAS no larger than
that seen by Eijah's servant from the
mountain top.-of the size OF mans hand
but it waxed larger and larger. it deepened
and darkened, and now overshadows,
like a terrible pail, broken and | fear a
ruined country | advert to this early
history of our troubles. tina. re may find
if possible. their source and center. The
skiliful physician nevar treats a disease an
I'll he has first discovered the cause Of the
malady, neither can we treat inteligently
the great disease of our country, nor pre-
scribe an in fallibie remedy. until we have
first found out the cause of all the trouble
But. in pointing out the cause. or caus-
es, OF tbs difficulties that now press upon
us, II Is not nay purpose TO engage in "a
lengthy discussion concerning them, cr
indulge Ia any examinations. or part'zau
dengnclatlons against any one. l. Is no
ii'He for this, even were so disposed bu
!; is ;iruo. y hen the bearts Of ali who
love this blessed Union should burn With
ttat pure spirit of patriotism, thai knows
~ party OF piItisan pride, but only knows
to follow. where those lead, who would
heal dissentions, and save the noblost gov
ernment the light Of heaven ever shone
upon.
We are accustomed to hear. sir. Of the
Union being dissolved by the secession oi
South Carolina; but in my opinion. the
Union was dissolved long before South
Carolina passed her ordinance OF secession.
don't mean, Of course. that there was any
over! political dissolution, but that the
mutual respect. and fra;ernal feeling,
which should unite the people of com
mon country. and which constitutes the
very basis OF the Union, were gons.
What is this Union but great polite
alcons tuition. whose strength and perpeiu-
ity rests on the Intelligence, harmony and
affections of the people it governs? 1t
may be said that | rest our government
on very feeble tenure answer to this,
that whether feeble or not, | rest il on the
foundation of all constitutional and liOer-
al governments. There is one other kind
Of government, that of slaveish fear, or, in
other words. military despotism.
Ii. then. our Union be such as | have
named, whenever that mutual affection.
aud respect Of the people composing tie
several States were destroyed, the Union
was virtually dissolved. The fathers OF
Tie Republic recognizing the same princi-
pie. we're always found warning the people.
as they loved their country, TO guard
against sectional strife. and anmositv.
Joshua r. Glddings' never uttered a
greater Republican truth, than when he
said that between no two foreign nations
on the face of the earth was there greater
enmity and hatred. than between the
Northern and Southern States.
OF the Northern States. he meant, of
course. only sympathized with the Repub-
ican party, for it would not be possible
TO accuse Democrats of enmily 10 the
South. who have always been held l., to
public deteststion for 'fawning,' rs j. has
been 40 beautifully expressed, at the feet
OF Slavcocracy.
This hatred, so rancorous and deep-sea.-
ed, speedily assumed political form al
the North, shaped its policy Of aggression
upon the institutions of the South, and
at once brought into requisition all the a
gencies and Influences which ambitious and
cunning men could devise to raise them
selves into power. With zeal worthy OF
better cause. they pressed on. gathering
wave after wave of streng glh--for ii is a
lamentable fact that the masses are oftener
led by prejudice and passion. than reason
until they have finally risen TO the federal
control. The farewell words of the noble
Father of his country. warning his coun-
/ trymen against the formation Of parties by
geographical lines. wera unhee6ed. and n
sectional President, pledged by every OBJ
ligston of party and principle TO invade
the right of the South. and destroy that
equality of the States BY which alone the
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