Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-01-15


by ,eitizsna Of Other States, and punish those
Who shah aid and abet them. f4l
FifEhly, Notwithstanding theaFguments Of
the gallant Senator from Oregon, General
Lane, remain Of the opinion that phyFical
bonds, such as Highways railroads, rivers and
canals, are FasIly more powerful for holding
civil communities together than any more
covenants, though written on parchment or
engraved upen iron. remain, therefore,
constant 70 my purpose to secure, if possible,
the construction Of two Pacific railways ons
Of which shall connect the ports around the
mouths oftbs Mississippi and the other, the
towns on the Missouri and the Lakes, vita
the barbOr5 on our western coast.
Il, in tlis expression Of these views I have
not proposed what Is desired OF expected BY
lnany others, they viii do ne the justice to
believe that am as lar from having suggested
what in many respects would have been 50
il harmony with cherished conVieti0ns Of ny
own. 1 learned early from Jefferson, that in
political Affairs we CANNOT always do what
seems to Us absolutely best. Those with
whom we must necessarily act entertaining
different views, have the power and the right
/ Of carrying them into practice. We must be
content to lead when We can, and to follow
when we cannot leadj and if -Fe can not At
any time do for our country all the good that
We would wish, We must be satisfied with
doing for her all the good that we can.
Having submitted my own opinions on this
great crisis, it remains only 70 cay that shall
I eheerfally lend 70 the Government my best
support in whatever prudent Jet energetic
efforts it shall make to preserve the PUBLIC
peace and 10 maintain and preserve the Union
/ advising, only, that it practice as far as pos
| sible the utmost moderation, forbearance and
cancellation.
| And now, Mr.. President what are the
auspices Of the country I know that we
are in the midst Of alarms, and somewhat
| exposed to accidents unavoidable 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 ny faith in the wisdom and virtue
Of the American people remains unshaken.-
/ Goodness, ,calmness and resolution are elements
of their character, They have been tenn
porily displaced; but they are reappearing.-
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 dangers there
shall be, there viii be the determination to
meet them; whatever sacrifices, private or
public, shall be needful for the Union, they
will be made. feel sure that the hour has
not come for this great nation to fall This
people which has been studying to become
wiser and better as it has grown older, IS not
perverse or wicked enough % deserve 50 dread
ful and severe punishment as dissolution
This Union has not yet accomplished that good
for mankind which was manifestly designed BY
Him wa. appoints the seasons and Preseribes
. the duties Of States and empires. No, sir If
It were cast down by faction to-day, it would
rise again and reappsar in all Its majestic pro
portions tomorrow. 1t is the only govern
ment that can stand here. Woei wOel to
the man that madly lifts his hand against it.
. To shall continue and endure; and men, IN
after times, shall declare that this generation,
which saved the Union from such sudden and
unlocked for dangers, surpassed in magnani-
nifty even that one which laid its foundations
in the eternal principles Of liberty, justice and
, humanity.