The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-01-30
SPEECEI
Hon. William II. Seward.
Delivered In the Senate Of the United States, Satur
day, January 18th, 1851.

MT. 'cP"aTu MT. GreSl !cn1, congress au-
jonrned last summer amid auspices of nation
al abundance, contentment, tranquility,
and happiness. 1t was reassembled this
winter in the presence of arrangement of
business and disturbance Of public as well as
private credit, and in the face of seditious
combinations to overthrow the Union. The
alarm is appalling FIR Union is not more the
body than liberty is the soul Of the nation.
The American citizen has been accustomed
to believe the Republic imm tal He shrinks
from the sight of convulsions indicative of its
sudden death. The repor. Of our condition
has gone over the seas, and we who have so
long and with much complacency studied the
endless agitatons of society in the Old World
believing ourselves exempt from such dis
turbances, now, in our turn, seem to be fall
ing into a momentous and disasterous revo.
luton.
know how difficult it is to decide, amid
so many and so various counsels, what ought
to be and even what can be done. Certainly,
however, it is time for every Senator to de-
clare himself. therefore, following the eX-
ample of The noble Senator from Tennessee,
Mr.. johnson, avow my adherence to the
Union in its integrity, and with all its parts,
with my friends, with my party, with my
State, with my country or without either, as
they may determine, in every event. whether
of peace or Of war, with every consequence
ofhonor or dshonor, life or DEATH Although
| lament the occasion, hail with cheerful.
ness the duty of lifting up my voice among
distracted debates, for my whole country and
its inestimshle Union.
Hitherto the exhibitions Of ,irit and reso-
luton here, as elsewhere have been chiefly
made on the side of disunion. do not re-
greet this. Disunion is so unexpected and
unnatural, that it must plainly reveal itself
before its presence can be realized. | like
best, also, the courage which rises slowly,
under severe provocation Fit he Christ
ian duty to forgive to the ST, anger even sew
enty times seven offences, it is the highest
patriotism to endure without complaint the
passionate waywardness ofpolitical bretren
SO long as there is hope that they may come
to better mind
! think it is easy to pronounce what meas
urcs or conduct will not save the Union. |
agree with the honorable Senator from North
Carolina Mr.. Clingman, that mere eulogi-
ums will not save it. Yet | think that as
prayer brings us ne,rer to God, though it
cannot move him toward us so there is heal
ing and saving virtue in every word of de.
votion to the Union that is spoken. and in
every sigh that its danger draws forth.
know, at least, that like virtue, it derives
strength form every irreverent act that is
committed, and every basphemous phrase
: that is uttered against it.
The Union cannot be saved by mutual
ordinations concerning our respective share
Of responsibility for the present evils. He
whose conscience acquits him will naturally
= be slow to accuse others whose cooperation
he needs. History only can adjust the great
account.
A continuance of the debate on the con-
stitutional power of Congress over the sub
ject of slavery in the Territories, will n t
save the Unin. The opinions of parties and
sections on that question have been dogmati-
cal, and it is this circumstances that has pro-
duced the existing alienation. A truce, at
least during the debate on the Union, is es-
sential to reconciliation.
The Union cannot be saved by proving
that secession is illegal or unconstitutional
Persons bent on that fearful step will not
stand long enough on forms Of law to be
dislodged, and loyal men do not need such
narrow ground to stand upon
l fear that little more will be gained from
discussing the rights Of the Federal Govern
ment to coerce seeding States into oobedience
g5disunion is to 60 on, this question will
give place to the more practical one, whether
many seeding States have right to coerce
the remaining members to acquiescc in a
dissolution.
dread, as in my inrpost soul | abhor
civil war; do not know what the Union
would be worth if saved by the use Of the
, sword. Yet, for all this, do notagrce with
those who, with desire to avert that great
calamity, advise conventional or unopposed
separation, with view to what they call a
reconstruction. 1t is enough for me, first
that in this plan destruction goes before re-
construction; and, secondly that the siren
9Th of the vase in which the hopes of the
nation are held, consists chiefly in its re.
Inaining unbroken.
Congressional compromises are aot likely
to save the Union ! know, indeed, that
tradition favors this form of remedy. But
it ia essential to the success, in any case
that there be found preponderating mass
of citizens, so far neutFnl on the issues thai
separate parties. that they can intervene
strike down clashing weapons, and compe
an accommodation Moderate concessions
are not customarily asked by force with it
guns in battery nor are liberal concessions
apt to be given by an opposing force not les
confident Of its own right and its own siren
9Th think, also, that there is preval'i.n!
conviction thrt legislative compromises whIcl
sacrifice honestly cherished principles, whii
they anticipate future exigencies, even J
they do not assume extra-consttutonai pow
ers, are less sure to avert imminent evil
than they are certain to produce ultimately
even greater dangers.
Indeed, Mr.. President, think it will b
wise 10 discard two prevalent ideas or prelu
dices, namely first, that the Union is to 0
saved by anybody in particular and second
ly, that it is to be saved by some cunn'n
and insincere compact Of pacifiers. II T.
member rightly, said something like tn
8. here so long ago as 1850, and afterwards
1854.
The present danger discloses itself IN tn
form. Disconnected citizens have obtalne
, political power in certain States, and the
are using this authority to overthrow II
Federal Government. They delude then
selves with the belief that the State pow
they have acquired enables them to disehar!
themselves Of allegience to the whole Repu
hc The honorable Senator from llllnol