The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-03-01
TREASON SHOULD NOT BE DIGNlFIED BY
CONCESSIONS FROM PATRIOTS.
SPEECH
HONORABLE DANL Z. SOMIS,
OF MAINE.
Delivered in the House Of Representatives.
U.s., Fob. 10, 1891.

Tho HOUSE, having under consideration
tho report from the select committee OF thir-
ty.thce-
Mr.. SOMES said
Mr.. SPEAKxR do not propose, In tho
brief space Of time I shall occupy, 10 fatigue
the House with recital Of the present Diff
culties which socm 10 threaten the peace and
stability of the nation. They are already
too familiar to every American citizen and
are but the result OF an attempt TO override
the laws OF civilization, by endeavoring 10
force slavery upon enlightened communities
where the institution never before existed.
Tho advocates Of slavery have tried to har-
inoni1s the most intensified despotism on
earth with free schools and Christianity.
They have insulted the intelligence Of tho
North by declaring that.wrong is right, and
that all who differ from them In this partic-
ular should be gagged. They have under
taken to unite two repellant bodies, and be-
cause they would not fuse. now threaten 10
break tho crucible. Any political chemist
could have foretold the result.
When tho fathers framed the government
they were compelled to tolerate slavery,
irpIn the necessity of the case but, at the
same time, they adopted the theory Of equal
ity among men, and provided In the consti'
tution the means that were sure TO lead 70
its ultimate triumph, namely Tree speech and
u free press. They did not fear error %
long as truth was lcit free ~ combat IL. Our
Southern friends understand tho power OF
truth when uttered without restraint, ~
well 9 the first Napoleon did, and
fear it more. because the despotism OF Napo-
Icons sway was democracy compared with
African slavery. The nephew lis wiser than
his uncle, or the stakeholder for he means
hereafter. that tho golden and not tho iron
rule shall govern his people; and he h,
therefore, beginning to loosen the murile,
and unietter the press. lie prefcn intelli-
gence to ignorance. intellectual strength u
brute force, wealth to poverty, national
greatness to an imbecile olisarchy, . pcrson-
al rcnown which shall keep up with or run
before the progress Of cililintion, rather
than present ease and the excavations OF III.
ture generations. Time will verify this
statement.
Tho slave power might learn many les
son Of political wisdom by crossing the At
hntic; but il chooses the Gull. In order 10
coercc the North into compromising It's prin-
ciplcs, the South has inaugurated system
Of tcrrorism that has no parallel in the his
tory Of tho world and when 1t is under
stood that there is no sincerity In the prs-
ent movement, ut least with iour-6iths OF tho
Inhabitants Of the Southern States, but that
il is amere game Of brag, 1t certainly seems
surprising that 10 many oil our statesmen
should be drawn into the snare.
But may be told, as proof Of their sim
cerity, that already several OF the States
have held conventions, and resolved them
selves out Of the Union, and have formed
new conlederacy. But conventions arc
cheap, and resolutions still cheaper bc-
sides, conventions aud resolutions constitute
no inconsiderible part Of Southern political
capital. The Southern Statcr occasionally
held conventions, and resolve 70 open direct
trade with foreign nations, by means OF lines
Of magnificent steamships and fast clippers.
They resolve great cities where small towns
have hardly held their own for many years.
But believe the world has wagged along
about the same after rs they did before the
resolutions passed and fast clippers and
stupendous steamships float only In the i'm
aginations of the resolyen.
But you say they have gone beyond rcso-
lutions in this care they have seized tho
forts and arscnals, and have threatened 10
cocrce the government into civil war. l
know they have, and that Is the very card
that was required 10 bring Congress to It's
knees. and they knew It. I like the bold
ness with which they play their game they
a, -. b.. tI,a;r alI,, on a small v.a,r and tbe,,
without moving muscle OF the face, they
look their opponent In the eye, until he
quiils and lays down his hand.
was In Washington most of the time for
six weeks prior to theas~embling OF Congress,
and had good reasons for believing that .
dcep-laid and broad scheme was laid, which
has since been partially carried out TO dis
solve the Republican party. and obtain new
concessions and pledges from the free states,
by threatening to dissolve the union without
the slightest desire or intentioni0 do 10.
had peep behind the scenes, and can assure
the tin,id ones that Il Is nothing but sheet
iron thunder that % startles and alarms
them. The managcn did not fully comprv-
bend the frmness Of the Northern people,
and have therefore been obliged 10 play
their gamc moro desperately than was At
lint intended.
Ifthat which was intended as farce should
end rs real tragedy among the actors. the
getters up Of the play will be responsible
TOR the results. 1.-THE true Union men will
stand aloof from taking any part In this per.
the sccasionists will in, the course
OF NINETY days, cry for quarter instead Of con-
c,ssions.
But, suppose we grant that the Union 10
now really in danger, what will nve II :
Or, if IL cannot be saved. what is tho NEXT
bot thing ~ be done? Tho seeding States
rvject all offers ofadjustment; IL H. tberriors
fully % waste time or words on them IT'S
wvrse than folly its weakness and ooward'ce.
Ia q speech before the late State ConVen-
ton in Alabama, Mr.. Yanccy s'id
Mr.. President. I avow mysclfas utterly,
unaIter.bly opposed 10 amy aud all plan. OF
. n.on.trnctins Union with tho Black 10
. nublican States Of tho North. No new
ruaranti,-, no amendments al the Cortita-
. ti,n. No peaceful resolutions. no repeal OF
offensive laws, can oGcr 10 me any, tho least
;nduce,nent 10 reconstruct or relations with
thc nou.slaych ,lding States. This opinion
i. no, founded on any objection 10 = confed-
Grafton with the States north Of Mason and
DiIon's line ON principles mutually agree
.ble ~ them; but ID Is founded On the convic-
,on that the discass which prcyson tho VI
ais Of the Peicral Union. does not cmanate
rom any dcicct In the Federal Constitution,
,ut from deeper source-the hearts, heads
md consciences Of the Northern people,
But We ars told that tho border states
must be saved, and that this can only b. aone
" giving them some compromise upon which
6sy NAV s,and, and around which u'ey can
sliv % resist tho tide Of secession.
Il Il proposed by gentlemen 70 build
4. sfarm out Of empty compromises and mean
nriss. promises Tor Union men OF the bcrtcf
$40 % stand upon, and with ths 70 cheat
be people back " their constitutional d.