The national Republican., 1861-02-09
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN.
The Union as it is, and the Constitution
as our Fathers made it.
SPEECH OF HON. M. w. TAPPAN,

SPEECH Vt HUN. M. w III nav
OF NEW HAMrsiuRE,
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
FEBRUARY 5, 1861.
The House having under consideration the !
report from the select committee of thirty three,
Mr.. TAPPAN said;
Mr.. SPEAKER: As one Of the members Of the
committee of thirty.three, joined with the gen.
tleman from Wisconsin Mr.. WAsnBuRS in
submitting q minority report, and in recon.
mendiug the following resolution for the con.
sderation of the House:
"Resoloed, That the provisions Of the Con-
stitutiou are ample for the preservation of the
Union, and the protection of all the material
interests of the country; that it needs TO be
obeyed rather than amended and that extri.
cation from present difficulties should be look
ed for in efforts to preserve and protect the |
public property, and in the enforcement OF the
laws, rather than in new guarantees for par
ticular interests, or compromises and conces
sions to unreasonable demands
And desire now, very briefly, to submit my
reasons why l could not concur in the report OF
the majority, and in support of my belief that
the passage of this resolution is all the action
the House ought TO take in regard to the pres
ent crisis in our national affairs.
Sir, was one Of the very few members OF
this body who voted against the raising of this
committee at the outset. l did so, not because
l did not fully understand and appreciate the
perilous condition of the country; not because,
at the proper time, would be unwilling to make
any reasonable concessions, not involving the
sacrifice Of principle, to any portion of my coun-
trymen who might present grievances to be re.
dressed; but because, in the first place, be-
lieved that the appointment of such commit
tee would be the initiative step towards some
sort of a "compromise,' when any compromise,
under the peculiar circumstances that surround
ed us, would be degrading and humiliating to
the North; and, secondly, such was the "mad-
ness that ruled the hour" in the Southern por-
ton of the country, did not believe that any
measures we should be able to pass would be
productive of any good; and the attempt to
make compromises that might fail would only
add fuel to the flame. And as events have
rolled on, every hour has only confirmed me in
the correctness of my convictions then be-
ieved then, as | believe now, that the Juror at
the South had taken the form of an epidemic,
and, like raging fever in the human system,
it must have its run. In such cases, if the con-
stituion Of the patient is strong enough to Crap
pie with the disease, he will live; aud II not, IN
spite of all the nostrums that may be admins
tered by quacks around the bedside, he will die.
And so with this epidemic in the national sys:
TEN. If the Constitution of the country has not
this crisis, no prescriptions that this Congress
can apply will be likely to effect cure.
But, sir, have faith in the patriotism OF the
great mass of the people. l have faith IN the
Constitution. 1t is apparently weak now, and
the demon of treacherous disease seems to be
RAINING riot throughout its whole framework.
But it is strong, nevertheless; and IN the END
will put forth its power, and the country will
rise from its prosration healthier and more Wig
orous than ever before.
Mr. Speaker, if am mistaken in the result
that is now to follow from the presen, condition
of public affairs, | am sure that | cannot be
mistaken that such would have been the result
if a square, bold, and manly issue had been
made up at the outset for the Union and the
preservation of the Government. That portion
of the American people who had just succeed,
ed in electing their President, in the mode and
forms recognised by the Constitution, had done
nothing that required apology, nothing that
they ought to take back. !, for one, did not
go into that election to have the principles for
which l contended given up and abandoned at
the first howl of those who were disappointed
at the result. The Republicans nominated a
moderate, conservative, and honest man, and
placed him upon moderate, conservative, and
patriotic platform of principles principles that
embraced every portion OF the Union, and
protected every material interest OF this great
Confederacy, and which in no wise contiicted
with the fundamental law Of the land.
1t will scarcely be contended, even by the
opponents of the Republican party, that there
was no necessity for a change Of admnistra
ton. Every avenue Of the Government reekec
with fraud; peculation and corruption prevail
ed in every department, until 1t eliminated a
last in one Of the most stupendous official rob
berries that ever astonished the American peo
pie: all going to show that the change did no
come a moment too soon.
Other parties went into the election, as wei
as the Republicans, with their respective dec
larations of principles and it was the duty Q
every good Citizen of whatever party, to abd
peacefully by the result. IL the Republican
had been beaten, they would cheeriully hav
done so; for they are Union.loving, lawabid
ing citizens. But no sooner was the election
OF Mr.. Lincoln definitely ascertained, than tn
fires of revolution broke out at Charleston, an
III other portions Of the cotton States. With
out Just cause, without allowing time even TO
parley, without waiting to see if friendly III
derstandng could not be brought about, wit
indecent haste, the disunionists of the country
who, by their own confessions, have been plo
ing its overthrow for the last thirty years, hav
seized the public property. taken possession g
the repositories of the public funds, insulte
the American flag, and, with jeers at the Gov
ernment which has protected them so long
have declared themselves out of the Union.
Now, sir, under these circumstances, be
lieved and still believe, that the first ques
ton to be ascertained is, whether we have
Government or not? And am for postponin
all other questions and all other Compromises
until this great and vital fact is ascertaineC
Aud put it to the candor of gentlemen on tn
other side--I ask the gentleman from lllino
Mr.. LOGAN who has just taken his seat
whether, in case they had succeeded in cleo
ing their candidate upon the platform of SIT
very "protection" in the Territories and Ma