The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-01-25

settlements every year.
Senator Stewards s Great Union
Speech.
The Blessings of the IniOn..The Evils OF
Observation-Disclosures OF Cancellation
and Compromise.
In the L. S. Senate, on Saturday, January
~, Mr. Seward made the following speech :
MIR President, Congress adjourned last
summer amid auspices ofnational abundance,
contentment, tranquility and happiness. 1t
was re-assembled this winter in the presence
of arrangement of business and disturbance
of public as we'll as private credit, and in the
face of seditious combinations to overthrow
the Union. The alarm is appalling for un-
ion is not more the body than liberty is the
soul of the nation. The American citizen
has been accustomed to believe the republic
is immortal. He shrinks from the sight of
convuisions indicative of its sudden DEATH
The report of our condition has gone over
the seas, and We who have SO long ana with
so much complacency studied the endless ag-
I
ing ourselves exempt from such disturbances,
now. in our turn, seem to be falling into a
momentous and disastrous revolution.
! know how difficult it is to decide amid
so many and so various counselS, what ought
! to be and even what can be done. Certainly.
however, it slime for every senator to de-
clare himself. !. therefore, following the ex-
ample Of the noble senator from Tennessee
/ r Mr. Johnson avow my adherence to the In
ION in its integrity, and with all its par,s,wi,h
my friends, with my party, with my state,
with my country, or without either, as they
may determine, in every event, whether of
peace or Of war, with every consequence of
honor or dishonor, oflite or death. Although
lament the occasion, hail with cheerful
ness the duty of lifting up my voice among
distracted debates, for my whole country and
its incstimable Union.
Hitherto the exhibitions Of spirit and res
olution here, as elsewhere, have been chiefly
made on the side of di>union. do not re-
gret this Disunon is SO unexpected and so
unnatural that it must plainly reveal Itself
before its presence car he realized. like
best, also, the courage that rises slowly ull-
der the pressure Of severe provccation. If
it be Christian duty to forgive to the stran-
ger even seventy times seven offences, it is
the highest patriotism to endure without com.
plant the passionate waywardness ofpolitical
brethren so long as there is hope that they
may come to a better mlnd.
l think it is easy to pronounce what meas
ures or conduct will not save the Union.
~ +h., lnnoroblo Son,tDr frn,,, Nnrtl
Carolina Mr. Clingmanl that mere eulosi-
ums will not save it. Yet think that as
PRAYER brings us nearer to God, though ii
cannot move Him toward US, SO there is
healing and saving virtue in every word of
devotion to the Union that is spoken, and in
every sigh that its danger draws forth.
know, at least, that, like virtue, it derives
strength from every irreverent act that is
committed, and every blasphemouS phrase
that is uttered against it. The Unicn cannot
be saved by mutual ordinations concerning
our respective share of responsibility for :he
present evils lie whose conscience acquts
him will naturally be slow to accuse others
whose cooperation he needs. History only
can adjust the great account. a continuance
of the debate on the constitutional power of
Congress over the subject of slavery in the
territories will not save the Union. The O.
pinions of parties and sections on that ques
ticn have become dogma,ical, and it is this
circumstance that has produced the existing
alienation. \ truce, at least during the de-
bate on the Union, is essential to reconcia
ton. The Union cannot be saved by prov
ing that secession is illegal or unconstitution
al. Persons bent on that fearful step viii
not stand long enough on forms of law to bs
dislodged and loyal men DO not need suct
narrow ground to stand upon. fear tina
little more will be gained from discussing the
right of the federal government to coerce Sc
ceding states into obedience. If di>unon i.
to 20 on. this question will give place to ths
more practical one, whether many secedin;
states have right to coerce the remaining
members to acquiesce in dissolution.
{ | dread, as in my lnnermost soul abhor
civil war. | do not know what the Unio1
would be worth if saved by the Use of tn
sword. Yet, for all this, DO not agree will
t those who, with a desire TO avert that grea
calamity, advise conventional or unopposel
separation, with a view to what they cali
reconstruction. 1t is enough for me, first
that in this plan, destruction goes before re
construction and secondiy,that the strength
of the vase in which the hopes of the nation
e are held consists chiefly in its remaining un
broken.
Congressional compromises are not likel
to save the Union. know, indeed. that ira
dition favors this form of remedy. But it i
essential to its success, in any case,that ther
be found preponderating mass Of citizens
SO far neutral on the issue which separate
. parties, that they can intervene, strike dow
e elashing weapons. and compel an accommo
datiou. Moderate concessions are not Gus
tomarily asked by force with its guns il
=. battery nor are liberal concessions apt t
I Lo 1x;.n., L. co~ao loss nAnh