Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-02-01
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr.. Seward, in the course Of his remarks,
said be had been asked to support this petit
ton. He had not yet found, though anx-
iously waited and hoped for, that manifest
alton of temper on the part Of the people of
the oountry's representatives which would
Justify me in saying the seeding States,
or those who sympathize with them, have
made propositions which citizens Of the ad-
herring States could accept, or that this or
anv other Of the various propositions from
citizens OF adhering States or those desiring
to adhere 10 the Union, would not be &C.
ceptable and satisfactory to the other party.
hhave thought II my duty to hold myself
open and ready for TIE best adjustment
that. could be practically made. I have,
therefore, been obliged TO ask this commit
tee to be content with the assurance that l
would express to the public and the Senate
that the spirit in which they come is per-
fectly eommendable. It is perfectly sstis-
factory and gratifying to me TO see q
proper Spirits spirit Of fraternsl Kindness,
Of coneiliation and affection is adopted by
a large portion Of ny fellOW-citizens Of the
State where belong.
I have asked them also in return, forper-
forming my duty on this occasion, when
they arrive home that they viii act in the
same spirit, and manifest their devotion to
the Union above all other interests and
sentiments, by spesking for the Union, by
voting for the Union, and If il should be
demanded, BY lending or even giving their
money for the Union, and fighting, IS the
last resort, for theI Union; taking care that
speaking always goes before voting, voting
goes before giving money, and all 60 be
fore battle which l should regard hazard
ous and dangerous, and therefore the last
as Il would be the most painful measure 70
be resorted to for the salvation Of the Un
ion. This is the spirit in which have de-
terminea for myself to come up TO this
great question, to pass through il, as ! sin
cerely believe We shall pass through it,
for although this great controversy is not
already settled, do not therefore any less
calculate upon and expect il will be peace
fully settled, and settled for the Union. l
do not expect the Union will be firmly re-
establishedin ninety days, butmy confidence
remains that as have not believed the
passion end frenzy Of the hour can over
turn this great fabric Of constitutional lib
erty and empirei in ninety days, so IhsVefelt
sure there will be time even after the ex-
piration Of ninety days for the restoration
Of all that Is in danger. Secession or rev.
olution on one side and coercion or defsnc'
on the other are all to pass away before n
Union is become the grand absorbing, Oh
ject Of interest, affection, and duty. upo
the part Of the citizens Of the Uniie
States.
a great many psrtizan interests are to
be suppressed, party platforms swept away.
before the Union, if in danger, aud if it is
to be saved, can be saved; but it will re
ouire 8 very short time, if the Union does
REQUIRE to be saved, for all these interests
and plstfOrms-all these men, to disappear
who shall oppose, resist or
stand in the way Of the preservation Of
this Union, will appear like moths on q
summer evening, when the Whirlwind of
popular indignation arises that shall be |
excited at the full discovery that this Union |
is in danger through faction or even the |
Of one part AlludingtO the |
question of slavery in the Territories, which |
had been o vital one for twelve years at |
least, he ssid the admission Of Kansas |
settled all that was vital or important in |
L, leaving behind nothing but passions
which contest engendered. Kansas is in the
Jnion-CalifOrnia and Oregon are in the
Union, and now the same contest distracts
he Union ss before.
The extent Of the territories after the sd-
mission Of Kansas is l063, 500 square |
miles, an area twenty-four times that Of the
State Of New York. TWenty-four States
such States IS New York, are to be organ
zed. Now under what is accepted by the /
as Judicial decree, every /
inch Of that territory is slave territory
BE spoke Of the decree not as he accepted il, |
but as enforced by the existing Adminis-
.ration. Over q considerable portion the
slave code made by the Government Gre
sted By Congress, is enforced. How many
slaves are there IN III TWenty-four Afri-
,an slaves. He had followed this thing in
good faith, with zeal and energy, but con-
'essed he had no fears ofslaYery where, In
he peculiar condition Of things which has
existed, slavery has succeeded in planting
,nly one slave upon every 1900 square
niles Of territory. This then ceases to be
. practical question. In lieu comes up
he great, vital and fearful question-Un-
on or dissolution, Of the country, OF no
question Of hope-~the ques-
ion of sinking forever under the contempt |
4 mankind. Why then should he despair
hata great people, thirty millions, will be
lnable to meet the crisis. He had no fear.
This is q Confederaey, not an Imperial
or a Government Of a single
State. tits Uonfederacy dependent upon
he imperial consent of all members, and
ubject to dissolution by their own action,
,ut that assent is 10 be always taken by
rirtue Of original assent aud held until
he form prescribed by the Constitution
tself and in time, manner and with ell the
which the Constitution prescrib-
a. those who constitute The Union shall
.eolare that il shall be no longer. Thirty
lays, sixty days, or ninety days given Us
y the disunionists may not be enough for
heir policy and purposes. he trusted
here may be time enough for the policy and
purposes Of the lovers Of the Union. God
rant it may. If not, these controversies
Till be settled Just as our forefathers fore
sW when they framed the Constitu-
ion, by submission to the people in e
,novention called according to the forms
{ the Constitution and the manner pre-
cribed BY law.
Mr.. Mason said, after al else, the recou.-
lendation Of the Senator is battle Blood,
hen, is TO save the Union. The Union is
roken. Is there no Union iu the country?
Mr. Seward said he was not surprised /