The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-14

vi course they were not they could not be Does the
Constitution in letter spirit require imply that the
arguments of party shall be satisfactory other
No. that is impossible What is the Constitutional rem
edy Tor this inevitable dissatisfaction Renewed debate
and ultimate rehearng in a subsequent election Have
the successful majority perverted power purposes
of oppression No. they have never before held power
| Alas how prone to undervalue privileges and
blessings How gladly, how proudly, would the people
oi any nation IN Europe accept on such terms as we
JOY IT, the boon of elecng Chief Magistrate
| years by free equal, and universal suffragel
| How thankfully would they cast aside all their own
systems OF government and accept this Republic of ours
with all its shortcomings and its dsappointments main
tain with their arms, and cherish it in their hearts Is
1t not the very boon for which they suppcate with
utceaslng and even wage war; with ntermssons only
resulting from exhaustion? How strange the times
IN which we live The coming spring season, one
side OF the Atlantic will open general conflict, waged
to Obtain through whatever ndrecton, just such sys-
ten as ours and this side of the Atlantic within the
same parallels of latitude it will open raternal
waged in moment of enzied discomfort to overthrow
and annhilate the same institutions.
DO men, indeed, live only for themselves to revenge
Their own wrongs, or to crafty their ambion?-
Rather do not live least Of all themselves and
chiefly for poserity for their fellow mepP Have the
American people, then, become all sudden unnatural
well unpatotic and will they dsnher their chill
dren of the precious estate held onv in trns for ben,
deprive the world of the best hopes has enjoyed since the
human races began its slow andpanul yet needful and
wsey-appointed progress? Here might close my plea for
the American unon but it is necessary, if to ex-
haust the argument, at least to exhibit the whole
The disunionists consciously unable 10 stand on their
mere disappointment in the recent election have atemp-
ted to enlarge their ground More than thirty years there
has existed consderable-though not heretofore form
ludpe-n3SS cltlZenS States
around the delta OF the Mississippi who believe that the
Union is less conducive to the welfare greatness of
those States than smaller confederacy embracing only
slave States, would be-
This class has avaied itself of the dscontens resulting
from the election to put into operation the machinery
cason In other States there is because of
of sympathy in the free States with the efforts of
In all the slave States there is restiveness resunr
from the resistance which has been detemnedy made
tension of slavery in the common Territories Of the
United States.
The Republican party which cast its votes for the sue.
cessful Presidential candidate the ground of that
policy, has been allowed, practically representation
utterance by speech through the press the
States; while its policy, principles and sentiments and
even its temper have been msrepresented ex-
cite that denies important Constitutional
obligations and aims at interference with slavery
and its overthrow by State authorities intervention
the Federal Government. Considerable even in
the free States interested in the of these msrepre
sentations Of partisan strategy, have lent
their sympathy the party claiming to be aggreyed-
While the result of the election brings the Republican
party necessarily into the foreground resisting dis
| union the prejudces against them which have de.
scbed have deprived them of the operation of
good and patriotic citizens On complex issue between
the Republican party and the disunionsts, although
involves the direst national calamties the result might
be doubtful for the Republican party is weak in large
! part of the Union.
But a direct issue, with all who cherish the Union on
one side and all who desire its dissolution by force the
other, the verdict would be prompt and almost unani-
nous desire thus to simplify the issue, and for that
purpose to separate from all collateral questions
relieve it of all partisan passions and preudices con.
slider the idea of the withdrawal of the Gulf States and
their permanent reorganization with without others
different Confederacy of advantage to them
solves, so certainly unwise and obviously impossible
OF execution when the purpose is understood that
miss it with the discussion have already incidentally
bestowed upon it. The is different, however in re-
gard to the other subjects which have brought in this
connection before the Senate.
Beyond doubt, union is vitality important to the Re-
publican citizens of the United States but is just as i'm
portant to the whole people Republicanism and union
are, therefore, not convertible terms. Repubcanism is
subordinate to Unon everything else is and ought to
be-Republicansm, Democracy, and every other political
name and thing all subordinae-and they ought to
disappear in the presence the great question of Union
So far as am concerned it shall be it should be
the question to be tried ought only to
determined by the peaceful ordeal of the ballot it shall
be all the since there is side prepared
ness to referit to the arbrament Of civil have
such faith in this Republican system of ours that there
is political good which desire that am not content
to seek through its peaceful of administration with
out invoking revolutionary action.
If others shall invoke that form of action oppose and
overthrow Government, they shall not, far it de-
pends me- have the excuse that obstinatey left my
self to be misunderstood In such can afford to
meet prejudice with conciation exacton with conces
sion which surrenders principle violence with the
right hand of peace Therefore, sir far the abstract
question: neither by the Constitution of the United States
the 60ndsman who is made such by the laws of State
IS still man or only property, answer that within thai
State its laws that subject supreme that when lie
has escaped from that State into another the Constu
tion regards him bondsman who may not, by any law
regulation of that State, be discharged from his SER
vice, but shall be delivered claim to the party
| whom his service is due.
! While prudence and justice would combine in per-
suading to modify the acts of Congress that
ject not to obge private persons in Their
execution and protect from being by abuse
of the laws, carried into slavery agree ali laws
the State whether free States or slave states Which
late to this class of others recently
from resident in other States and which laws con
travene the Constitution of the United States or any
law of Congress passed in conformity thereto ought
! be repealed.
Secondly. Experience in public affairs has confirmed
my opinion that domestic slavery, existing any State
is wisely left by the Constitution United States ex
cusiyely to the care, management, and disposition o
that State and if it were in my power would alte
the Constitution in that respect If misspprehension
my position needs SO strong remedy, am willing to
vote for amendment of the Constitution declarn,
that it shall not by future amendment be altered
as to confer on Congress power to abolish nerfer
with slavery ,.I1 in any State
and sovereign authority to legislate all subjects
ever, in the common territories of the United States
while certainly shall never, directly indirectly, Civ
my vote to establish sanction slavery in such terrific
res anywhere else in the world yet the question wha
constitutional laws shall at any time be passed in regar
to the territories is like other question: be
ermined practical grounds. voted for enabling act
in the cases of Oregon Minnesota and Kansas withou
being able to in them such provisions as l cou
have preferred; yet voted wisely So now, I am wei
satisfied that, under existing circumstances happy AM
satisfactory solution of the difficulties in the remainin
territories would be obtained by similar laws providip
for their organization if such organization otherws
State, under the Wyandotte Constitution, l think sh
ought to be, and if the organic laws Of al
could vote to authorize the oTganization and
of two States which should include them reseryin
the right to effect subdivisions of them whenever
sary into several convenient States but do not fin
that such reservations could be Constitutonaly made
Without them. the ulteror embarrassmens which wou
result from the hasy incorporation of States of sue
vast extent and various interests and character woul
outweigh all the immediate advantages Of such
measure But if the measures were practicable sbonI
prefer different course namely when the eccentri
movements of secession and dsunion shall have ended
in whatever form that end may come and the angry ex
elements of the hour shall have subsidized and camnes
shall have resumed its accustomed SWAY owe
the public mind, then, and not until theu-one tw
or three years hence | should cheerfully advise
convention OF the people, to be assembled il
pursuance of the Constitution, to consider an
decide whether any and what amendments of the OIL
ganic national law ought to be made. A Republca
have heretofore been member of other partie
existing in my day nevertheless hold and cherish
have always done the principle that this Government
exists in its present form only by the consent of gov
erned and that it is as necessary it is wise
to the people for revisons of the organic law when tn
troubles and dangers of the State certainly transcend
powers delegated by it to the public authorities Nc
ought the suggestion to excite surprise Government
any form is machine this is the complex one tha
the mind of man has invented, the hand of ma
has ever framed Perfect as it is it ought be expece
that it WILL at least as often in century RI
quire some modification to adaptit to the changes
ciety and alterations of empire
Fourthly. hold myself ready now, as always hereto
FORE to vote for any proper guarded laws which shall
deemed necessary to prevent mutual invasons State
by citizens of other States, and punish those who sha
aid and abet them
Filthy. Notwithstanding the arguments of the gaIar
Senator from Oregon, General Lane.) / remain of tt
opinion that physical bonds such as highways railroads
rivers and canals, vastly powerful for hodin
civil communities together than any mere covenants
though written on parchment or engraved upon iron
remain, therefore, content to my purpose secure
possible the construction Of two Pacific railways one
which shall connect the ports around the mouths of
Mississippi and the other the towns the Missouri an
the Lakes, with the harbors western coast.
IT, in the expression Of these views, have not pre-
posed what's desired or expected by many others the
will do me the justice to believe that am as far frol
having suggested what in many respects would hay
been in harmony with cherished convictions of my owl
learned early from Jefferson, that in political affairs
cannot always do what seems to us absolutely best
Those with whom necessarily act, entertainin
different views have the and the right of carryin
them into practice. We be content to lead whe
can and to follow when we cannot lead. and If W
cannot at any time do for country all the good tina
would wish, must be satisfied with doing for he
all the good that
Having submitted my opinions on this great crsi
it remains only to that shall cheerully lend to tn
Government my best support in whatever prudent V,
energetic efforts it shall make to preserve the publ
peace, and to maintain and preserve the Unon advisn
only that it practice far possible the utmost mo
Grafton, forbearance and Cancellation
And now, Mr.. President what the auspices of IL
country | know that we in the midst of alarm
sons OF empestuous passions We already disorde
and violence has begun. know not to what extent
may Still, my faith in the Constitution and in IL
Union abides because faith in wisdom and yrtr
of the American people remains unshaken Coolnes
camness and resolution elements of their
They have been temporarily dispaced but they are
appearing. Soon enough, trust, for safety it will
that sedton and violence only local and ten
porary, and that loyalty and affection to the Union
the natural sentiments of the whole country
Whatever dangers there shall be. there will be the
termination to meet them; whatever sacrifices private
public, shall be needful for the Union they will be mad
feel sure that the hour has not come for this great
ton to fall This people, which has been studying to
come wiser and better it has grown older is not
wicked enough to deserve so dreadful and sever
punishment as dissolution.
, This Union has not yet accomplished what good