Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-02-15

I W HON H. D. w ILLARD " OeteTSOH 90
IN the assembly, feb. An, 1861, on
the Resolutions to appoint Commissioners
TO Washington:
Mr.. SPEAKER--I wish briefly to eivo
: my reasons for voting as | shall vote on
the questions before the House. | did
not engage in any IF the discussions that
arose on those numerous Union-saving res
/ olutions which have been showered In up
on us-and their name is legion-for the
simple reason that did not feel that they
were of any practical effect, conscious that
this Legislature could never resolve this
Union into perpetual existence, that i:
could never resolve life and immortality
into the federal government, or even add
to or take from il moments existence
But now sir, we have before US practical
[ question, one upon which we are required
to act as well as to vote. The resolutions
under consideration ask us to appoint COM
missioners to meet commissioners from 9TH
er states for the avowed purpose of agree
ing upon a compromise that shall bc salts
factory to the slayeholding states. And
the resolutions from Virginia which con-
tain the invitation presume to dlctate-if
gentlemen think that word too strong |
VII use a milder one-presumc to suggest
what the grounds of compromise must be
in order to give satisfaction to these
states. ..
Now, Mr.. Speaker, wish to be as con-
servative as possibly can be-that is, as
conservative as it is in my nature to be-
and must confess that livery much dis
ike the word, aud believe, as the eminent
divine said, ''ts tie word the devil uses
when he wants to get advantage over Gods
cause, that "when the young men of the
nation get conservative, its funeral knell is
already rung." But nevertheless sir, |
have deep aud sincere sympathy for those
border states which seem to be placed be-
tween the two contending parties in the
'.irrepresaible conflict" that is now raging
so fearfuly and that threatens to over
throw the government. But sir, when
conservatism becomes criminal, then there
is no longer a choice left me. My posi-
ton becomes fixed in the nature of things.
| am opposed to the appointment Of
commissioners. First-bccause we have
commissioners already in Washington, in
whose ability, integrity and patriotism we
have the fullest confidence. And it was
but few days ago that we elected an
able one, and when he delared to US, from
the Speaker desk. tbat he woul d
''never consent to have the Republican
/ Standard lowered a single inch, mark
/ you how we did stamp our feet, and man
ifest our unqualified appreciation by loud
and continued cheers. And sir, am not
repenting of having stamped with my feet
on that occasion.
! l am opposed to it, Secondly, because in
my humble opinion it is virtual acknowl-
edgement that we are ready and willing to
compromise. | know that gentlemen on
the other side of the house, profess to diff
/ fer with me on this subject. And | have
no reason or desire to doubt their since-i-
! ty, but to my mind it seems as clear as
the noonday-sun. Virginia asks US to ap-
point delegates for specific purpose, and
/ If we appoint them Is it not implied at
/ least, that we do 1t for the purposes speci-
fed? Should we meet in convention, and
in answer to a call appoint delegates to
meet other delegates in Chicago, for the
specific purpose OF nominating a President
and Vice President Of the United States,
would not all civilized man consider it a
tacit Acknowledgements that we were in ia
vor of such nomination? Most assuredly
Well sir, wish to have it distinctly un-
derstood that | am not in favor of any
such insinuations | have no concessions
nor compromises to make with the hydra
of American slavery; | never can, and by
the grace of Cod never will vote for any
measure, or any man who will vote for any
measure, to extend and perpetuate the
blghting institution. But gentlemen tell
US these are peculiarly fearful times-that
a terrible storm IS brewing. that secession
and dissolution are threatened, that the
bloody demons of war will scatter death
and devastation over the lovely plains of
our common country, that brother will be
arrayed against brother in the sanguinary
deadly conflict, our homes be desolated
and the nation go down in blood and dark
ness Sir, am not conscious of being
totally devoid Of patriotism. sincerely
believe that am an ardent lover of my
country / love her broad green fields
and golden harvests; her beautiful lakes,
sleeping like mysteries among her hills,
ber tall spires and countless dwellings of
populous AID busy marts; and above al
sir, loye those free institutions on which
she has fed and grown so great. lis the
land of my birth, the land where my moth
er sang above my cradle bed, and my gray
haired sire sleeps in bis honorcd grave
And as I've it. | never can and never
VIII, consent TO blight one single rood with
the everlasting curse Of human bondage.
/ God forbid that I should ever see this
land drenched in blood. much more that I
should ever see the American eagle soar
away, that should ever see the last raw
of liberty flicker upon her affairs and 60
out, or the stars and stripes that now wave
upon ncr thousand battlements become
but the mournful emblem Of glory depart
ed. And sir, to prevent such dire eonse-
quences, my time, money. energies, and
! life even, shall all be placed upon the altar
willing sacrifice. But SIR. not even to
avert the fearful tendency of these dubious
wears, will l ignore or repudiate the d.
vine law Of liberty, written by the finger
Of God upon every human heart. Sir.
there are worse conditions than secession
~ Al 1