Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-01-17

these things, and yet instead of doing
those acts which will relieve your appre-
tensions, and render it impossible that
these outrages should be perpetrated,
talks about force, war, armies and navies.
In the name Of the Union, who are the
disunionists? Those who pursue line
of policy calculated to destroy the Union,
and refuse to arrest that policy, or disavow
that purpose, when they see that revolu-
tion has taken place. II such be not
your policy, why not say so? If you
never intend to do what the South thinks
is your purpose--and which you do not
blame them for thinking-what harm is
there in making such amendments to the
Constitution as will render it impossible
for you to do SO? But we are told that
the Union must be preserved and the law
must DO enforced. agree to that. am
in favor of all these things, according to
the Constitution and the laws. No man
will go farther than ! to maintain the
Union and enforce the laws. to put down
rebellion and insurrection, and to use all
the power conferred by the Constitution
for that purpose. But we must look the
facts in the face. We must take notice
Of these things whose existence cannot
DO denied. History teaches MS that re-
bellion often becomes successful, revolu-
ton; and the greatest republics and
proudest monarchies have found it neces-
sary to recognize the existance of gov
ernment de taeto, in the REBELLION of States
and Provinces. Such was the condition
of the American colonies for seven years
after the Declaration of Independence
At first it was rebellion, and rebellion
was treason. A few months afterward
it was revolution and government de
facto at Philadelphia, Mr.. Hancock, Pres
ilent, and Washington commander OF
the armies. Rebellion had ceased and
revolution taken its place. The Ameri
can colonies were in revolt, had govern
ments de .tacto, and Great Britain, proud
as she was, was compelled to recognize
the existing state of facts. The law of
nations and all the laws Of civilization
demanded that the government de facto
be acknowledged. But the laws must be
enforced. In our system of government
the laws are to be enforced by civil author
ity, assisted by the military and posi-
comitatus, when the Marshal is resisted
If the colonies or a State revolt, the rev.
olution is complete. When the Federal
authorities are expelled, and no man left
to acknowledge allegiance to the United
States, how are you going to enforce the
laws then? How are you going to do il
in South Carolina? She has passed ar
ordinance of secession. deny her righ,
to secede, but she has done it. The rev
olution is complete. 6heh no human
being in her borders to acknowledge oul
authority. This is all wrong, but how
are you going to help it? You tell us We
must enforce the laws. Under our Con.
stitution, laws can only be enforced
against criminals, and those Of US who
are in favor Of the Constitution and the
Union, must be careful that we do not per.
petrate the very things which we denounct
as criminal ir. these seeding States.
And South Carolina does not stand
alone. We are told that seven other
States will follow her, and we have rea.
son to apprehend that seven more States
will follow them. The answer is, We
must enforce the laws. My reply is, you
cannot enforce the laws in countries not
in your possession. deny that we have
the right to make war in order to regair
possession, in order to enforce the law
are we prepared for war? do not NEAR
prepared in the sense of having soldiers
arms and munitions; but are we prepared
III our hearts for war with our bretheren
While affirm that the Constitution was
intended to form perpetual Union
while l affirm the right to use all Lawful
means to enforce the laws-yet / will no
mediate war, nor tolerate the idea, unit
every effort at adjustment has been trieC
and failed, and all hope of the Union il
gone. Then, and not till then, will | de
liberate and determine what course m,
duty will require of me. l am for peace
to save the Union. War is disunion
certain, inevitable, final and irreparable
Our own very existence forbids war. H
referred to the purchase of Louisiana. an
said it was purchased for the benefit o
the whole Union, and for the safety o
the upper Mississippi in particular. Th
possession of the river now is more nee
essary than it was then. We cannot ex
pect the people of the interior to admi
the right of foreign State taking posses
sion of that river. He also referred t.
the purchase of Florida and the amour
paid, and asked if she could 60 out now
The President, in his Message, first SAT-
we could not coerce State to remain il
tho Union. but in few sentences he ad
vised the acquisition of Cuba. AS if W
could pay S30,0OO,00O for Cuba, an
then the next day she might secede and re
annex herself to Spain and Spain sell he
again. He had admitted that Texas cos
us q war with Mexico and 10, 900 lives
In the name of the 1000 gallant me-
from Illinois, who fought those battles,
protest against the right of that State t
secede.
r Mr.. Hemphill, (opp. } of Texas, aske
if the protection Of Texas was the onl
9 reason of the war, and if the United State
, paid anything to Texas for the land, an
t if we did not acquire California from th'
war.
/, Mr.. Douglas said the only cause Of con
: plant of Mexico was the annexation
2 Texas. and we had only paid Texas Sl'
Q 600, 900 for some barren land she did NJ
y own. Laughter. He said the Constit'
J ton was intended to be perpetual, and J
denied the right of secession under Il