Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1861-01-26
SPEECH OF SENATOR SEWARD.
Absurdity OF Secession Exposed.
The Union Worth all il can cost.

On Saturday last, Mr.. Seward addressed
the Senate as follows
Mr. President. Congress adjourned last
summer amid auspices of national abnn-
dance, contentment, tranquility aud hap
piness 1t was re.assembled this winter to
the presence Of arrangement of business
and disturbance Of public as we'll as private
credit, and in the face of seditious combi-
nations to overthrow the Union. The a.
larm is appalling for union is not more
the body than liberty is the soul of the na.
tion. The American citizen has been ac-
customed to believe the Republic immortal.
He shrinks from the sight Of convulSions
indicative of its sudden death. The re-
port of our condition has gone over the
seas, and we who have SO long and with
so much complacency studied the endless
agitstions Of society in the old World, be-
lieving ourselves exempt from such disturb
ances, now, in our tnrn. seem to be
falling into momentous aud disastrous rev.
oluiion.
know how difficult it is TO decide amid
so many so various counsels, what. ought
to be and even what can be done Certain.
ly, however, it is time for every senator to
declare himself. I,therefore, following the
example Of the noble senator from Tennes,
see, Mr.. johnson, avow my adherence to
the Union in its integrity, and with oil its
parts, with my friends, with my party, with
my state. with my country, or without Ell
ther, as they may determine, in every event,
whether of peace or of war, with every
consequence of honor or dishonor, of life
or death. Although lament the occasion,
] hail with cheerfulness the duty of lifting
up my voice among distracted debates, for
my whole country and its estimable union.
Hitherto the exhibitions of spirit and
resolution here, as elsewhere, have been
chiefly made on the side Of dsunion. do
not regret this. Disnnion is so unexpected
and unnatural that 1t must plainly reveal
itself before its presence can be realized. !
like best, also, The courage that rises slow.
y under the pressure of severe proyoeation.
II it be a christian duty to forgive the
stranger even seventy times seven offences,
il is the highest patriotism to endure with.
out complaint the passionate waywardness
of political brethren so long as there is hope
that they may come TO better end
think IL is easy to pronounce what mea-
sureS or conduct will not save the union.
| agree with the honorable senator from
N, Carolina. [Mr. Clingmsn,] that mere
eulogiums will not save IL. Yet / think
that as prayer brings us nearer to God.
though Il cannot move Him toward as, so
there is.a healing and saving virtue in every
word OF devotion to the Union that is spo.
ken, and 10 every sigh that its danger draws
forth. know, at least, that. like virtue,
Il derives strength from every rreverent act
that Is committed. and every blasphemous
phrase that Is uttered against IL.
The union cannot DO saved by mutual
examinations concerning our respective share
Of responsibility for the present syils. he
whose conscience aequits him will naturally
be slow TO accuse others whose eo,opera.
tion be needs. History only can adjust the
great account.
A cont nuance Of the debate on the con.
stltutionsl power Of Congress over the sub.
lject Of slavery 10 the territories win not