The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-01-18


would give his assent, Mr.. Seward In an elabo'
rate manner presented the necessity OF aeon.
tinuance Of the Union, what Of good 1t had
effected in the past, and what II was calculated
to do for the country in the future; spoke OF
the long train Of evils which would follow it,
dissolution, and the sacrifices which every true
patriot should make to preserve 1t in its full
integrity.
lie said that the only pretext openly
urgcd by Southern men for its dissoli'
| ton was the election Of Lincoln and Ham,
lin, and this afforded no justification for the
desperate course the disunionists were pursuing,
that the South hal suffered no wrong and that
the Republican party would. II they ever had
disposition to do so, be incapable OF intiicting
injury upon the Slave States He did not ex-
pect 10 satisfy those who were determined to
GO out of the Union. and who had been plotting
TOR its destruction for twenty or thirty years,
but there were those whose fears had been
aroused by the constant misrepresentation OF
the Republicans, and misstatement OF their
views, who were friends Of the Union and such
in the spirit oflberality and fraternity, while
he could conccdc no principle, he would meet
on the broad ground of a common devotion to
the Union. lie would remove their fears that
the republicans seek the abolition Of slavery In
the States, by voting for constitutional amend
ments as might be necessary, that he would
/ IL. =. Ill tha Sfata
North to review their legislation. and IL there
was found anything unconstitutional, ask the
States to repeal such laws.
His proposition in regard to the Territorial
questions, 1.-THE real and vital ones in the con-
troyersy,) II we comprehended 1t, is the one
which may not be fully satisfactory to all Re-
publicans. He desires first that Kansas shall
be admitted, then the Territorial laws now in
force be abrogated. and after this two enabling
acts passed, dividing the rest of the Territories
into two parts, and bringing them at once into
the Union. The proposition in substance is the
one submitted in the committee of IL by Senator
Rice of Minnesota, with such notifications as
had suggested themselves as best to his mind.
There is some division of opinion as to whether
he suggested the repeal Of the present Terrific
rial laws, but this was my understanding of the
proposition. Then he was ready to sustain and
vote for two lines Of railroad to the Pacific
coast, one terminating at the Delta OF the Mis-
sissippi the other at the confluence Of the waters
ofthe Missouri with those ofthe Mississippi thus
A. q. -. ,vst ha d. -,
the Atlantic coast. This great measure be
thought would be great bond Of peace and
do much to perpetuate the Union.
This Is but meagre sketch Of the speech and
its propositions. We took our seat in the gal
leries at ten o'clock, two hours before the
session opened. and were hemmed in, wedged
in on all sides by dense mass, and are in no
condition to speak in detail of the speech -
The fact that Mr.. Seward is to be the premier
of Mr.. Lincoln's administration, imparts to II a
degree of interest not attached to the speeches
Of other men, and it will be closely scrutinired.
While we are not sure that every proposition
would be such as we might desire, and are quite
certain that objections and formidable ones
may be urged against some of them. we trust
that the reading Of the speech closely, and a
close survey of the whole ground may confirm
our favorable impressions ofits general charac-
ter. Ifanything not inconsistent with the prin-
ciples of the Republican party can be done
which will stop this spread of the disunion fever
into the border States. and hold them or part
Of them in loyal allegiance to the Union until
returning reason shall bring the Gulf States
back, surely every patriot and friend ofthe
Union should be willing to see il done. Ifthe
basis ofthe settlement proposed by Mr.. Seward
will be accepted by the border States, and ii
involves no departure from the principles Of
the Republican party, as is alleged, then il
should be accepted. The difficulty will be in
finding the votes to pass the necessary measures
to carry into effect.
The Mississippi members of the House sent
in letter to-day, resigning their seats because
Mississippi was out.
There is some difference Of opinion between
the Senators from the seeding States leaving
their seats as have their Representatives. At a
meeting Of secession Senators, held few even
ings ago. Fitzpatrick Of Alabama and Benjamin
of Louisiana, said II would be dishonorable to re.
main but Toombs said the Revolution had COM
inenced and she tcds in 10 pin" and would
stay to thwart the measures Of the government.
Slidell of Louisiana concurred with him.
Gen. Scott and Senator Toombs, so rumor
says, met at dinner party, day or two
since and the turbulant Senator having said he
wished the people Of Charleston would sink
the Steamer Star of the West, and he did not
care IL those who sent her were sunk also, the
old Soldier rebuked the reasonable language,
and high words ensued.
We continue to receive accounts ofthc seiring
of the forts and arsenal belonging to the federal
Government in the seeding States. Loo.
w ,Su,xrrox Ian TX 1871