Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-01-17
SENATOR Stewards UNION SPEECH


Whenever William H. Seward speaks the
country listens. On such occasions as he sees fit
to deliver speech in the Senate his colleagues
from all the states, no matter whether political
friends or political opponents, gather around
him in respectful attitude and give respectful
attention to the words of wisdom, which he
never fails to utter, as they flow in unimpas-
stoned, harmonious cadence from his lips
His speech in the Senate, on Saturday, ex-
cites additional and unusual interest, for it was
upon the state of the country-a subject which
Just now commands the serious attention of all
thoughtful men, and its author is the acknowl-
edged premier of the administration now soon
to assume the control of our national affairs.
The first part of the speech is devoted to a
comprehensive consideration and just estima-
ton of the blessings of our national union
The evils of dissolution are then portrayed in
language so clear an positive as to convey con-
yictions even to unwilling minds. No better
or more forcible picture Of dissolved national
ity can be drawn, and yet in every one of its
elements it is true to the letter. We would
most gladly lay it before our readers did our
space permit. The remainder, less than hall
Of the speech, is devoted to consideration OF
the causes Of disunion and suggestions of con-
Citation and compromise. AS this part of the
Senator's speech is altogether the most mpor-
tant, and is the pivot upon which the whole
matter of the adjustment of all our present
difficulties hinges, we give it entire;
And now NJ President what is the cause for this
sudden and eternal sacrifice of so much safety great
ness, happiness and freedom? Have foreign nations
combined, and are they coming in rage upon us? No
So far from their being enemies, there is not nation
on earth that is not an interested admring friend
Even the London Times, by no means partial to us
says:-
at is quite possible that the problem of demo
cratic rcpub ic may be solved by its overthrow in
few days in spirit Of folly, selfshness and short
sghtedness."
Has the federal government become tyrancal or OPP
pressive or even rigorous unsound? Has the con
stution lost its spirit and all at once collapsed into
telcss letter? No, the Federal Government
smiles more bengnantly, and works to-day more be
neiccntly than ever. The constitution is even th'
chosen model for the organization OF the newly risn;
cOnederacies.
! The occasion is the election of president Of tn
United States, who is unacceptable to portion Of h
people. ! state the ase accurately. There was NJ
pressed that choice was cast. Dsunon began sooi
us the result was announced. The justification it as
signed was that Abraham Lincoln had been elected
while the success of either one of three other candi
dates would have been acquiesced in. Was the cleo
| tion illegal? No, il is unimpeachabe. Is the candl
date personally offensive? No, he is man fuublem
ished virtue and pmiabe manners. Is nm election G
president an unffquent or extraordinary transaction
No, We never had chief magistrate otherwise desg
mated than by such election and that form of choc
is renew, every four years. Does any even pre-
pose to change the mode of appointing the chieimag
| isratc? No. election by universal suffrage ms mod
fed by the constitution, is the one browning irAnchis
| ofthe American people. To save it they would def
the world, 1t is apprehended that the new presdcl
will usurp dcspo,c powers? No, while he is of Il
men the most unambitious, he is, by the partial sue
cess Of those who opposed his election, subjected I
such restraints that he cannot, without their cOnser
appoint minister, or even II police agent, negoai
II treaty, or procure the passage of q law, aud Gu
hardly draw musket from the public arsenal to d'
fend his own person,
What, then, Is the ground of discomfort? Il is thT
the disunionsts did not accept conclusive the NJ
gments which were urged in behalf of the successtl
candidate in the canvass. This was All. Were me
own arguments against him more satisfactory TO III
supporers2 OF course they were not; they could No
be. Does the constitution, in letter or spirit rcqnr
or imply that the arguments OF one party shall b
satisfactory 10 the OtherY No, that Is impossible
What is the constitutional remedy for this nevIabl
dissatisfaction? Renewed debate and ultimate re
hearing i'm IL subsequent election. Have the now SUE
-, 4
preston? No, they have never before held power
Alas how prone we TO undervalue privileges nm
blessings. How gladly, how proudly would the pee
ple of any nation in Europe accept, on such terms
we enjoy it, the boon of elcctiug u chief mngistra
every tour wears by free equal md universal suffrage
How thankfully would they cast aside all their ow
systems Of government, and accept this republic
ours with all its shortcomings and its disappoln
mems maintain it with their arms, and cherish 1t
their hearts l. Il not the very boon for which the
supplicate God without ceasing, and even wage wa
with nennissions only resulting from exhaust on Z
How strange are the times in which We live! II
coming spring season. ON one side OF the Allantl
will ,pen on Il general conflict, waged to obtai
through whatever ndirecon, Just such syste
as ours; and on this side OF the Atlantic, within Il
same para lcs Of latitude, il will open on fmierni
war; wnged in u moment of irenzed discomfort,
overthrow and annihilate the same institutions. |
men, indeed live only for themselves, to revenI
their own wrongs, or 10 crafty their own ambition
Father do not mon live least of all for themsev,
aud chiefly for posterity and for their fellow
, Have the American people, then, become all Of
sudden unnatural MS we'll as unpatriotic2 and "
they disnherit their children OF the precious esta
held only in trust for them, and deprive the world
the best hopes it has enjoyed since the human ra