The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-02-22
Speech from Mr.. Somes.

We copy from the n. Y. Tribune OF Monday
the following report ola speech delivered by
the Representative in Congress from this Dis.
trict at the evening session Of the House on the
10th inst The subject under consideration was
the propositions reported by the committee OF
thirty.three. 1t will be perceived that Mr..
Somes is ou,spoken against all compromise.
Mr.. SUMES (Rep., Mel said: The difficult
ties that threaten the peace and stability OF the
nation are the results of an attempt To override
civilization by forcing Slavery on enlightened
communities. The advocates ofslayery are try
ing to harmonic an intensified despotism with
free schools and Christianity; they insult the
intelligence ofthe North by declaring that
VT, ne is right, and they propose TO gag all who
differ from them. They had undertaken to
unite two repellant bodies, and, because they
will not fuse. they threaten TO break the cruci-
BILE any political chemist could have foretold
the result The trainers OF the Constitution
while planting Slavery rs a necessity there, yet
provided in the Constitution means for carry
ing out the theory Of equal rights, namely
Free speech and free press. They feared not
error so long as truth was free to combat it
Our Southern friends understand the power Of
truth as well rs Napoleon the First did, and fear
il more. The Second Napoleon is wiser than
his uncle or the stakeholder. for even he is sub
shutting the golden for the iron rule which he
relaxes by unfettering the press. The Slave
Power might learn political wisdom, even by
crossing the Atlantic, but chooses the Gulf
Its present game of forcing the North into COM
promise is one Of brag; conventions are cheap,
and resolutions cheaper. We have had numer-
Gus Southern Conventions and resolutions for
direct trade and magnificent steamships, but
they have hoited only in the imaginations OF the
resOlyers. But you say now they have certain.
" seeded; have seized public property, and
threaten war. know ii, and this is the very
card 20 bring Congress TO its knees, and they
knew II. admire their boldness. They stake
all on small pair. and then, without moving
n muscle, look their opponent in the face until
he quails. and lays down his hand. They play
the game more desperately than they first in
tended, for they did not expect frmncss in the
people of the North. II that which was intend
cd for farce results in n tragedy, the getters
up Of the piece viii be alone responsible. 1.-THE
true Union men stand aloof, in ninety days Sc
cessionists will cry for quarter, not concession.
The seeded States say they are gone. Will any
empty compromises save the border Statesi
MOI All such schemes merely demoralile and
dsorganize the Republican party, which alone
now has power 10 preserve the country. Com
promises now only breed new difficulties, and
should be sternly resisted. Compromises Of all
sorts, the worshipers Of money, the timid, neg
alive men, the place-seekers and the chronic TO-
gies. are all to be met and withstood by the
man whose highest controlling motive is hui
mainly in eleyating the race. There are strata
in politics rs in geolOgy-.historically there
have been three, war, money, and humanity;
the two FIRST are about to yield TO the last, and
heacefOrth be only auxiliary in its develop
ment. IL now controls the North, and produces
uncompromising hostility to Slavery expan-
sion. What, then, Is the interest OF the Slave
Statesr The Cotton States viii inevitably ex-
pand the Slave-breeding territory, and thus
damage the border States. Their only true
policy Is to conciliate the Free States, and let
the Gulf States sustain their own burdens; they
should do IL as the only means Of protecting
themselves from instruction or attack; of pre-
serving what they now have and securing flu
ture prosperity. BE warned of the fate Of those
who have compromised with wrong. The fugi-
tive Slave law was framed TO satisfy the slave
power, and was made so heavy that II crushed
It's Northern championships greatest man Of
the age; aud carried down n President, and the
Wing party. Are you not satisfied with such
q feat, or have you got your eyes on another
crop of great men, and n successful party,
whose necks you wish to place under their mod
srn guillotine called compromised Several are
ON their backs already, looking up at the glist-
ening blade, but they are unwilling to die alone
so they beckon us on 10 share their inglorious
fate. A sham compromise will do the South no
good-ior q real one there Is no basis. The bor-
der States, for their own safety. must ally them
selves with the North. Emancipation is sure
to come in time-nothing can prevent it-better
prepare for IL In season. Aggrcssions on north
ern men In the Slave States must cease, rebel
lion must be put down or the power Of a con-
solidated North will sweep away all resistance;
unless the South retreats from Its treason Slay-
cry is doomed and will go out In blood. Secs
sion, compromise, and reconstruction Is now
the platform Of the odds and ends Of the Dem
ocratic party; Secession to force compromise
I-compromise 10 destroy the Republican party
and reconstruct the old Democracy ON its ru-
ins. Let us meet this courageously-t people
sustain brave men. and follow hero INTO .
ditch sooner than coward into camp. save
the Pree States from humiliation, the Border
States from Secession. BY compromise you
encourage treason and enhance the danger.
hope that the Union will be saved. but II must
not be by striking hands with wrong. Let US
have liberty and Union IL We can; but liberty
without Union rather than Union without lib
| srty.