The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-01-23


With our brethren? While I affirm that
the Constitution was intended to form a
perpetual Union-while affirm the right
to use all lawful means to enforce the laws,
yet / will not mediate war, nor tolerate
the idea, until after every effort at adjust
ment has been tried and failed, and all
hope of the Union is gone. Then, and
not till. then, will I deliberate ard deter
mine what course my duty will require of
me. l am for peace, to save the Union.
War is disunion, certain, Inevitable, Gnal,
and irreversibie. Our own existence for
bids war. We have referred to the pnr-
chase Of Louisiana, and said it was pur'
chased for the benefit of the whole Union,
and for the safety of the Upper Mississippi
] in particular. The possession Of that river
/ is more necessary now than it was then.
We caCnot expect the people of the inte.
rlor to admit the right Of foreign State
taking possession of that river. He also
referred to the purchase of Florida and
the amounts paid, and asked if she could
go out now. The President, in his mes
sage, first said we could not coerce State
to remain in the Union, but in few sem
tences he advised the acquisition of Cuba.
AS if we should pay $30O,OO0,0Oo for
Cuba, and then the next day she might
secede and reannex herself to Spain, and
Spain sell her again. He had admitted
that Texas cost US war with Mexico,
and 10000 lives. In the name Of 1000
gallant men from Illinois, who fought
those battles against the right of that
State to secede-Jz t5vi3a4T taB0jue 5F
Mr.. HEMPHILL asked if the protec-
tion of Texas was the only reason of the
! war, and if the United States paid any.
thing to Texas for the land, and if we did
not acquire California from that war?
Mr.. DOUGLAS said the only cause
of complaint of Mexico was the annexa-
| ton of Texas, and we had paid Texas
$l0,OOO,0OO for some barren land she
did not own. Laughter. He said the
Constitution was intended to be perpetual,
and he denied the right of secession I'm.
der the Constitution, as against the Con-
stitution, aud against justice and good
faith. He said there could be no Gov
ernment without coercion, but coercion
must be used in the mode prescribed by
law This is not question of coercion
in State. Where no authority of Fed
eral Government remains, we are bound
to. recognizeia Government de tacto, when
the State maintains individual sway. The
man who loves the Union, who loves to
see, the laws enforced, will love to see re-
,bellion put down. How does he intend
to enforce the law in seeding State,
except by making war? In his. opinion,
we had reached the point when disunion
was inevitable unless a conpromise,
founded on concession, can be made. He
i preferred compromise to war, and conces-
sion to disunion. No compromise would
be available which does not carry the
question beyond Congress. He said he
had voted for the proposition of the Sen.
b ator from Kentucky, (Mr. Crittenden's,)
and was ready to vote for it again. Why
cannot the Republicans unite on the Mis-,
J, souri, Compromise line? They had heaped
curses enough on his head for repeating it,
.
r had helped to support that, measure until
he was compelled to abandon it. He was
5 willing to meet on terms of mutual con.
6 Eeession. n de had offered another propo
! sition to leave, the Territories in stalu QUO
. till they have $4,000 inhabitants, anG
: then settle the question themselves; anG
: also provided for the removal Of the ne
!, groes, if the Territory chose, to certain
3 provinces. If the Republicans do no
intend to interfere with Slavery in .tht
States, why not putin an amendment il
f the Constitution, SO that. they cannot dt
E it. There must be a alsettlement of soms
g sort now. Z It cannot be postponed. .Wt
are in a state Of revolution. 1t is com
r fpr6misea or war.5Dl He preferred compro
o. mise.a He said it seemed as though til,
7 Senators on the other side determined tt
e act as a party. Let the people decid,
a the question. g No doubt the, people o
e Massachusetts are opposed to Slavery
/, extension, but he thoughtlf the question
: were submitted to-day of the resolutions
3 of the. Senator from Kentucky they woult
' ratify them. There is, no other way qo
r recourse left, to enforce the law in a aase
/. Iceding2 State, except to make war ane
s bringtthe State within your possession
e first, and then enforce the law afterward
;. A wat between, eighteen States on the on,
4 side, and fifteen seeding States on tn,
? other.i is to me a revolving thing. Fo
L what purpose is this war to be waged
: Certainly not for the purpose Of preserv
ing the Union.I have too much respec
s 70. the gentlemen on the other side of th'
! tchanber, collectively and individually, t.
Q believe there is one among them who doe
: not know that war is disunion. Yo,
S cannot expect to exterminate ten million
e of people, whose passions areiexcited will
a the belief that you intend to invade thei
t homes aed light the flames of iusurreetiol
E in their midst You must expect to ex
4 terminate them, or rsnbjugate them, o
else, when you have got tired of war, t.
! make treaty with them. No matte