The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-01-30

mont or engraved upon iron. l remain,
therefore, constant to my purpose to secure
If possible. the construction of two Pacific
railways, one Of which shall connect the
ports around the mouths of the Mssissp-
ri and the other the towns of the Missouri
and the Lakes, with the harbors on our wcs-
te n coast.
If in the expression of these views, have
not proposed what is desired or expected by
ma ~ others. they will do me the justice to-
believe that arf, as far from having suegfs
what in many respects would have been
in harmony with cherished convictions OF
nv own. | learned early from jefferson,
that in poiti al alf,irS we cannot always do
what seems to us absolutely best. Those
with whom I'VE must necessarily act, enter
tanning diff rent views, have the power and
he right of carrying them into practice. We
must be content to lead when we can, and TO
f ,llow when we cannot lead; and if we cam
not a any time do cur country all the good
that we woul wish. we must he satisfied
With doing for her all the good that we can.
Having sublnl ted my own opinions on
this great crisis it remains only to say that
7 shall cheerrully lend to the Government
my hest support in whatever prudent vet
energetic efforts it shall make to preserve the
public pca"e, and to maintain and preserve
the Union advising, only, that it practice
aS far as possible the utmost moderation,
f rNearancc, and Cancellation.
And now Mr. President, what are the
auspices cf the country? know that we
are in the midst Of alarms, and somewhat
exposed to accidents unavo; ;lable in seasons
of tempestuous passions. We already have
disorder; and violence has begun. | know
not to what extent It may go. Still my faith
in the Constitution and in the Union abides,
because my faith in the wisdom and virtue
of the American people remains unshaken
Goodness, calnness, and resolution, are ele-
ments of their character They have been
temporarily displaced; but they are reap
pearing Soon enough, trust, for safety, it
will be seen that sedition and violence are
only local and temporary, and that loyalty
and affection to the Union are the natural,
sentiments of the whole country. Whatever
danger there shall be, there will be the de-
termination to meet them; whatever sacr-,
fees. private or public, shall be needful for
the Union, they will be made. | feel sure
that the hour has not come fer this,great ma,
ton to fall This people, which has been
studying to become wiser and better as IT
has grown older, is not perverse or wicked
enough to deserve so dreadful and severe q
punishment rs di solution. This Union has
not yet accomplished what coed for mankind
was manifestly designed by Him who ap-
points the seasons and prescribes the duties
of States and empires No, sir, if it were
cast down by faction to-day, it would rise
again and reappear in all its majestic pro-
portions to morrow. 1t is the only Govern
ment that can stand here. Wo"! Woe! to
the man that madly lifts his hand against it.
1t shall continue and endure; and men, in
after times, shall declare that this genera
ton, which saved the Union from such sud
den and unlooked-for dangers, surpassed in
magnanimity even that one which laid its
foundations in The eternal principles of liber-
ty, justice, and humanity.