Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1861-03-21
past l desire aone IN the future, sir. The

posS uesue houc IN me Iuture, SIT. Inc
lever which Sometimes make politicians
fluiter, the question Of sailing the ayes and
noes, hes no terror for me. But, sir,
come 10 this resolution, and desire to dis
cuss il on lis merits. desire, sir, TO send
forth my views in relation to the objects
and purposes Of this Convention. Gentle
men all agree, sir, that we should be Tor
peace, that we should act as mediator. II
we all agree as to that, then in the name Of
all that is good. in the name Of our wives
and children at home, shall we not act to.
getber here as a unit? Shall we differ
merely about words? No, sir. Let me tell
you that resolution as originally reported to
my mind, goes just as far as we ough! TO
go. 1t neither says more nor less than is
necessary and while might agree with the
abstract proposition Of any sentiment which
may be, offered here. yet, sir, when We
look at the. objects and purposes that We
have 10 consider, we must perform our du-
ties regardless of the consequences because
we must not lose sight of the object for
which we are assembled together. When
| went before my constituents l told them
/ could not look forward into the future as
TO what position l could or would take as
circumstances might arise. told them l
could only judge of the circumstances as
they might arise; but told them ell the
powers and energies Of my mind should be
used to restore fraternal feeling in this u
MON. Then The reason why object to that
amendment is this: The language of "shall
and shan't," "will and WON'T" is not the
language Of peace. am unwilling TO say
to any government, you shall and you shsn't;
and am unwilling TO say TO our sister
Southern States and Southern friends, with
whom my whole sympathy lies, you shall
and you shan't. Il is not the voice Of bra
very which says you shall or you shan't.-
No sir, it is brave man that says, "this is
my will, this is my opinion, if you violate
or 60 contrary to my express will, The con-
rest upon your own head" Then
if our dearest rights are 10 be invaded by
Northern fanatics, is it necessary Tor this
Convention 10 say to MissOurians, you must
do thus and SO. No, sir, as a Missourian
say Il needs no vote of this 10 tell me how
shall act. The promptiDgsa Of my own
heart, and the prompting Of the heart Of ev-
cry Misseurian will tell him how to act,
and he will act according 10 The circumstan-
ces, aud as his judgement shall dictate
MIR. President, this resolution breathes the
spirit Of peace. favored this resolution
because felt it was pointing to peace. i
Ielt, sir. it was actuated by that spiri, Of
peace which ought TO acluate and infe ma
every bosom. When He who sIake as man
never spake, when He said to the raging
pillows, sBe still" in the same spirit
would say that the purposes and objects Of
This invention are, when the raging ele-
menls are surging around US, and passion,
disoord, and fury are the order Of the day
Il say then, that it is the object of this
in The language Of Him, TO say
G Peace, be still" l have no idea. sir, that
l shall tie myself down TO any proposition,
or plan of adjustment. can only be gov
erned by present surroundings, and when
I say that this or that may be proper ba.
sis Of adjustment, | do not tie myself down
10 it; but l say this-I am only willing TO
speak for the present. confess l can see
no further. believe sir, that our peace.
and our harmony and fraiernal Union, are
not dependent upon the adoption Of This or
hat measure, but | say TO you, that if we
will have q compromise We must first set
ourselves right; we must discard passion,
We must throw aside the spirit Of recrilni.
nation, anger and passion, and get ourselves
tight, and then only can we see our way
Hear, and then, andfthen only can we teach
ran,gressors the way. Then, sir, tell
Tou, as one who believes thai this Is the
,nly sentiment that will restore harmony
n eur distracted country, that when the
people shall get together and consult about
his matter; when the pure principles Of
shall predominant and override
very heart; that when we shall meet our
brethren of the North in Convention. I
'ay when these principles shall be upper
most, and we get together in Convention,
hey will be ready to conceds more than we
lsk, and we shall be ready TO concede mere
han we ask, and we shall ready 10 take
ess than they will give. That being my
ointment am unwilling 10 place uncertain
upon them, | am unwilling to
live forth threats as the language Of peace.
This is the sentiment gave before my con-
tituents. This IS, the sentiment thsy ask
ne to advocate before this body; and if I
all 10 do so, / shall not be discaarging my
luty. My constituents have more interest
han any district in the State in this matter,
md they say. In language not to be misun-
Ierstood. "Peace, peace" l expect that
his will be my only political record, but
say sir, if dissolution and war shall come
md if by our efforts we cannot heal the
liscord in our country-then, | say, | am
rot willing TO place myself in such an atti-
ude that my children shall reproach me in
Ifter years, because l did not do all could
. save Them from The terrors, trials and
truggles of civil war. But If peace shall
-eign, and my children shall stand under
he banner oil our common country, as free
men, though they may be stripped of every
festige Of pecuniary interest and reward
n this world, even though stripped OF every
hing, shall ever have the calm satisfso-
ion Of knowing that they stand there with
clear hearts, honest hands, as freemen.-
Far better that they should stand thus