The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-12


ton thai they were 70 be used for the defence OF The
State But you now keep them when they no
longer be used for the defence the State but only
for offensive purposes II there no other obliga
tons consider the obligations Of policy would require
you to do Il. In no other way you prevent civil
government. they could not Yield them up without
inconsistency far their pretensons are concerned
II they are an ndspsnden. people they have right
right TO take them, if they believe they are in the
possession of foreign enemy. How is 1t with your
You don't admit the doctrine Of secession In the form
in which that resolution raised. Does that justify
you in holding that doctrine upon the ground Of po-
apply for the retrocesson Of these FORTS and the
PROCESSION might be granted, without the least
violation of the constitution. There nothing impoc
in such cesson unless you desire use them for the
purposes Of think the consideration of policy
medatey believe il drop Of blood shed, there
Is hope Of reconstruction think you will soon all
tho Southern States outo this Union think probable
they VIII form government for the sake Of the South
and, having done So hope and trust they viii call
Southern Convention for the purpose OF REIMBURSEMENT on
proper terms. And if the saveholdng States will
assemble in Convention to exchange propositions, hope
and trust that some accommodation may be had, and
reconstruction TO make this government more
permanent and valuable than has BEEN
Or, II is impossible 10 make Union, 1t may yet re-
suit in the formation Of some league which would
cure benefits, and leave each free to follow
tho law Of it's own genius and develop itself say,
go far as can weigh the question, the Union Is no
more and the only question Of Union is question Of
reunion and to produce reunion Is absolutely essential
to allow the State to take possession Of that which it
is obviously going to take, and thus afford all
the time and give all the opportunity we can TO
these who desire a reconstruction Of this Union
] Of those. I believe the South owes
it itself to protection. l believe the inter-
rests Of mankind, and her own interest, and the
interest Of her conederates, require that should
reconstruct new Union upon the terms Of equality
and justice. But will this be possible IL We have
civil war? ! ask if the republicans willing to
add civil war to the long catalogue Of enormties for
which they have to answer hereafter 1s II not
enough that they have marched into power over the ruins
OF the constitution Is u not enough that they have
seized this government at the expense Of the unon VIII
II not satisfy them unless they add civil war? Mr.. Pres
dent would ask If they indeed willing to let loose
the dogs Of war and rapine through this land?
If they are willing that the spirit Of the first born Cain
should reign every foot Of land and spread the
raricidal conflict this happy land, how will
they settle their consciencess How will
they settle with humanity for having crushed the
highest capacity for usefulness, progress to deveope
ment that was ever bestowed on man? Sir, what judg
lowed ambiton2 Will II not say, s'Yoa found peace and
established war you found an empire and Unon and
you rent them into fragmentsi' And awful still,
what account will they render at the bar of Heaven
When from many burning homestead, and many
bloody battle field spectral host shall appear to ac
cuse them-when the last wall Of suffering childhood
shall arise from the depths of the grave TO make its
feeble plant against them, and the tears Of helpless
women shall plead against them, for her wounded
honor, in her speechess woe and despair-how win
they account for before man and before God before
earth and before heaven they close IN blood this his
Providence In the wilderness, TO insure peace on earth
and good will TO men, The experiment which was con-
How will they hide themselves from the accusation
when one universal voice Of misery and despair shall
be no excuse that they have consented to WELD bar
rem sceptre over des0lated land. Why is II these
threats made Is it for the purpose Of presenting
Southern states from seeding? If So it has precip-
tated that very event say for my own State she is
consulting now, but feel authorized to say that she
loves peace she desires TO avoid but she win not
be deferred from asserting her rights by threats Of
ercion fears the result Sir in her past his
tory, in tho sacred name OF honor, and liberty, and
Revolution. For the same sacred considerations
know she will mperl her all II she believed It her
che neither defend her honor, nor support
her rights, she will fall, and it will be better
When the Spanish colonies struggling for ndepen-
dence we gave them sympathy and aid. When Greece
lighting her desperate battles gave her the
sympathies and assistance. But we now refuse i
to brethren, and pursue them with fire and
this regard will only meet with the general detesta
.ion OF mankind. Such resistance will be made as
has been before in the history Of the world
except perhaps in the instance OF the Dutch who hid
behind their dykes and hovded their land with the
Of the sea, preserring death in any and every
form, rather than submission to tyranny. But do
not wish to pursue this line OF argument and do
wish to engage In any discussion which much stirs
the blood sand here to plead for peace not because
my State has any to fear than another,
but because the interest Of all mankind il for peace
In the of civilization and humanity, in the
p h spe m npn I events s n30a d I'M aap
war, in the name OF the great American experiment
and which insist has not yet failed, shall appeal to
the American people 10 prevent the efdson Of blood
II is said that the very smell of blood srs the animal
passions Of Give time for the play OF reason
let see after the States have secured in them
selves their old organization and their old systen-let us
II cannot bring together scattered
divisions, If we cannot close up broken ranks, aud
cannot find plan of Cancellation, And when those
columns mastering ia from the distant North and
the farther South from the rising to the setting TO
take their part in that grand review there viii 80 up
shout that will shake the heavens and which shall pro-
O q cart
brothers in war, brothers in peace, ready TO take
place in the front of that grand march Of human
and able and willing to play in that game OF nations
where the prizes wealth and empire and where vic
tory may crown name with dsathless and eternal
fame There was slight applause in the galleries as Mr..
Mr.. BAKER, (rep) Of Oregon should like to ask the
Senator one question my party in this and the other
branch OF Congress, by constitutional majority,
shall pass an amendment, to be submitted according
to the form Of the constitution for the consent and ap
probation Of the people, and II that be such substantially
as those offered by gentlemen on the other side, will
the Senator from Virginia. so far as he can throw the
weight Of Virginia and especially his individual weight
in order to maintain the constitution II is and the
laws they are, with the power Of the
until the people Of the States shall have decided upon
this amcndment2
Mr. HpsrER--I cannot answer FOR Virginia. can only
say thl voted for the proposition Of the Senator from
Kentucky (Mr. Crittenden) other gentlemen believed
that would be satisfactory But whether tue people who
now seeding would wait to ascertain whether the
States would accept not not authorized to say.
Mr.. B,KKR-Bnt viii the gentleman himseifg
satisfy him.
Mr. HARLAN (rep.) Of Iowa then took the floor and
spoke at length ON the Fugitive Slave law. He Opposed
the argument of the South 10 control and govern the
North that the North must obey the South that the
majority must subn The real grievance Of the South
ern people rs explained by admitting the republican vic
tory the 9th OF November last They dislike to &c.
sign the rcns of the government to their opponents.
message here received from the President.
Mr.. HARLAN concluded by saying that human liberty,
liberty Of speech, the press and conscience all at
stake.
Mr. wnsos, (rep) Of Mass, moved to 20 INTO Exccu-
tive session. Carried.
Adjourned
House OF Representatives.
WAsrI>grox. Ian n. 1SRl