The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-02-20
FAREWELL SPEECHES
OF SENATORS SLlDELL AND BENJAMIN.


Mr. Sidell, (opp of La, sent to be read
by the Clerk. the ordinance of secession
passed by Louisiana.
REMARKS OF Mr. sLIDELL.
Mr.. Sldell said-Mr President, the doc
ument which the Secretary has just read
which places on the files of the Senate Off
cial information that Louisiana has ceased
to be component part of these once United
States, terminates the connection of my col
league and myself with this body. The
occasion, however, justi6es, if it does not
call for, some parting words to those whom
we leave behind-some forever, others, we
trust, TO meet again, to participate with
them in the noble work of constructing and
defending new confederacy, which, if il
may want, at first, the grand proportions
and vast resources of the old, will still pos
sess the essential elements of greatness-a
people bold, hardy, homogeneous in inter-
esi and sentiments, a fertile soil, an ex!en-
sive territory, the capacity and the will to
govern themselves through the forms and
in the spirit of the constitution under which
they have been born and educated. Be.
sides all these, they have an advantage
which no other people seeking 10 change
the government under which they had be.
fore lived, have ever eujoyed-they have to
pass through no Intervening period of anar-
chy. They have in their several State gov
ernments, already shaped to their hands,
everything, necessary for the preservation
of order. the administration of justice. and
the protection of The soil and their propriety
from foreign or domestic policy. They can
consult with calmness, and act with delib-
Grafton on every subject, either of immedi-
ate interest or future policy. But If we do
not greatly mistake the prevailing senti-
ment of the Southern mind no attempt will
be made 10 improve the constitution. We
shall take it, such as il is-such as has
been found Sufficient for our security and
happiness so long as its true spirit lived in
the hearts OF a majority OF the people Of
the free States, and controlled the action,
mol only of the Federal, but OF the State
Legislatures. We will adopt all laws not
locally inapplicable or incompatible with
our new relations. We will recognize the
obligations of all existing ireaties-those
respecting the African slave trade included.
We shall be prepared 10 assume our just
proportion of the national debt, TO account
for the cost of all the torts and other prop
erty OF the United States which we have
been compelled 10 seize in self-defence. if
il should appear that our share of such ex-
penditure has been greater, than in other
sections and, above all, we shall, as well
from the dictates of natural justice and The
principles of ernational law, as of polit-
cal and geographical af1inities. and of mu.
tual pecuniary interests, recognize the right
of the inhabitants of the valley of the Mis-
sissippi and lis tributaries to its free nav.
CATION. We will guarantee TO them a free
interchange of all agricultural productions,
without import tax duty or toll of any kind,
the free transit from foreign countries OF
every species of merchandise, subject only
| 10 such regulations as me be absolutIy ne-
cessary for the protection of any reven1e
| system we may establish, and for purposes
of policy. AS for such States OF The Union
as may not choose 20 unite their deslinies
with ours, we shall consider them as al
| other foreig gn naiions-''Enemies in war
in peace, friends" We wish and we hope
depends on Us, they shall have no provo.
cation 10 pursue a hostile course. But in
this regard we, from the necessities OF the
case, can only be passive. 1t will be fol
the people of the free States TO decide this
momentous question. The declaration
however, requires some qualification
Could the issue be fairly presented 20 the
people OF those States, we would have liitle
doubt of peaceful separation, with the
/ possibi lity OF complete and the probabili
~ of partial reconstruction on a basis sat
isfactory 10 US and honorable 10 them. Blu
with the present representations in eithe
branch OF Congress we see nothing to just
fy our indulging any such expectation
We must be prepared to resist coercion
whether attempted by avowed enemies o
by hand heretofore supposed fri endy-
by open war or under the more iusidious
and iherfore the more dangerous, prelex
of enforcing the laws, protecting public
property or collecting the revenue. W.
shall not cavil about words or discuss lega
and technical distinctions. We shall con
slider the one as equivalent to the other, ant
shall be prepared TO act accordingly-utro
que arbitro porati you will find US ready tC
meet you with the outstrelched hand o
fellowship or in the mailed panoply of war
as you may will it. Elect between tnes,
alternatives. We have no idea that -ol
will even attempt to invade our soil will
your armies. But we acknowledge you
superiority on the sea at present, IN rom