Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-07-16
Mr.. vallandIgham,s speech.s


crastinationl which they cannot understand. o %
Mr.. VaIlandigham's Speech.5-sb
We copy from the Globe the following closing
part Of the speech of Mr.. vAlIANDioHAM in the
House OF Representatives, on the national loan
bill, and the resolution he proposes at some
future time to Introduce: sdi'd eiF'a asi
have Anished now, Mr.. Chairman, what
proposed to say at this time upon the message
of the President. As to my own position in re-
gard to this most unhappy civil war, | have only
to say that stand to-day just where stood up
on the 4th Of March last; where the whole
Democratic party, and the whole Constitutional
Union party, and vast majCrity, as believe,
Of the people Of the United States stood too.
am for peace, speedy, immediate, honorable
PEAcE, with all its blessings. Others may have
changed: I have not. question not their mo-
tives nor quarrel with their course. Il is vain
and futile for them to question or to quarrel
with mine. My duty shall be discharged, calm.
ly, firmly, quietly, and regardless of consequen-
ces. The approving voice of conscience void
Of offense, and the approving judgment which
shall follow "after some time be past" these,
God help me, are my trust and my support.
Sir, have spoken freely and fearlessly to.
day, as became an American Representative
and an American citizen; one firmly resolved,
come what raay, not to lose his own constitu.
tional liberties, nor to surrender his own const-
tutional rights, In the vain efforts to impose
these rights and liberties upon ten millions Of
unwilling people. have spoken earnestly, too,
but vet not as one unmindful Of the solemnity
of the scenes which surround us upon every
side to-day. Sir, when the Congress of the
United States assembled here on the Sd OF De-
cember, 1860, just seven months ago, the SEN
ate was composed Of sixty-six Senators, repre-
senting the thirty three States OF the Union,
and this House Of two hundred and thifty-seven
members-every State being present. It was q
grand and solemn spectacle; the ambassadors
Of three and thirty sovereignties and thirty.one
millions of people, the mightiest republic on
earth, in general Congress assembled. In the
Senate, too, and this House, were some Of the
abiest and most distinguished statesmen of the
country; men whose names were familiar TO-
the whole country-some Of them destined TO
pass into history. The new wings Of the Capt..
tol had but just recently been hniehed, In all
their gorgeous fnsgnifcence, and, except q
hundred marines at the nav. yard, not q soldier
was within forty miles Of Washington. s'
Sir, the Congress Of the United States meets
here again to-day; but how changed the scene.
Instead of thirty-four States, twenty only,
one less than. the number forty years ago, are
here or in the other wing OF the Capitol. Forty
six Senators and one hundred and seventy-three
Representatives constitute the Congress OF the
now United States. And OF these, eight Sena;
tors and twenty four Representatives, from four
States only, linger here yet as deputies from
that great South which, from The beginning Of
the Government, contributed 90 much 10 mold
its policy, to build up its greatness and control
it's destinies. All the other States of that South
are gone. Twenty two Senators and sixty five
Representatives no longer answer TO their
names. The vacant seats are, indeed, still
here; and the escutcheons OF their respective
States look down now sadly end solemnly from
these vaulted ceilings. , But the Virginia Of
Washington and Henry and Madison, of Mar
shall and Jefferson, of Randolph and Monroe,
the birth place OF Clay, the mother Of States
aud Of Presidents; the Carolinas of cPinek-
ney and Sumpter and Marion of Calhoun and
Macon; and Tennessee, the home and burial
place Of jackson; and aother States, tooy once
most loyal and true, are no longer here. The
voices and the footsteps Of the great dead of the
past two ages Of the Republic, linger still, 10
may be in echo, along the stately corridors of
this Capitol, but their descendants from nearly
one-half Of the States of the Republic will meet
with us no more within these marble halls. But
in the parks and lawns, and upon the broad ave-
nues of this spacious city, seventy thousand sol
diers have supplied their places; and the morn
ing drum-beat from q score Of encaMpments
within sight Of this bfleaguered capital, give
melancholy warning to the Representatives of
the States and Of the people, that AMID ARMS
LAWS ARE SILENT.
Sir, some years hence, would fain hope some
months hence, II dare, the present generation
will demand to know the cause Of all this; and
some sses hereafter the grand and impartial
tribunal Of history will make solemn and dIlls
gent inquest Of the authors Of this terrible revo
luton. 90 iselt0gs fflpse 91 = 'H9 1900
Resolved, That the Federal Government is
the agent Of the people of the several States
the Union, that IL consists Of three
sanct departments legislative, the exec.
utiye, and the judicial--cach equally q part Of
The Government, and equally entitled TO the
confidence and support Of the States and the
people; and that il is the duty Of every patriot
10 sustain the several departments Of the Gov
srnment In the exercise Of allshe constitution
Il powers Of each which may be necessary and
proper for the hepresefvation Of the Government
in its principles and in its vigor and integrity,
snd 20 stand BY and defend 70 the utmost the
dag which represents the Government, the
Union, and the country. rs - itHfr Z.
- a 49, rN.