The national Republican., 1861-02-09


But, if such is to be our fate, the Government
Of the United States of America" will still ex-
ist, with a territory and people teeming with all
the elements Of greatness and Of freedom, of
UNSURPASSED progress, and of future glory. If
that time shall speedily come, then l say:
"Lct us press the golden cluster brave old flag
In closer union and, If numbering less,
Brighter shall shine the stars tha, still remain"
But, Mr.. Speaker, I will not look beyond the
present Union to see what is behind the vail
that divides us from the future. i have no de- |
sire to do so.
The State have the honor, in part, to rep
resent on this floor, is small in area, but she
yields to none in patriotic attachment to the
Union and the Constitution and ! believe the
united voice of her people, irrespective Of party,
is for the "Union as it is" and the Constitu-
ton as our fathers made it. While her people
will faithfully respect all the rights guaranteed
by that Constitution to the people of the South,
they will not consent to the formation of new
Constitution, giving to slavery new and add.
tional guarantees, which those who originally
framed it refused to grant.
1t is mistake to suppose that New lamp-
shire has any laws upon her statute.book which
are in conflict with the Constitution touching
the rendition of fugitive slaves. But when her
personal liberty bill was in force, if any State,
feeling aggrieved by such legislation, had come
to her in the spirit Of kindness and conciliation,
there never has been a time when she would
not have been met in like spirit, and every
grievance complained of would have been
cheerfully redressed. But she understands
what is due to her own dignity, and will yield
nothing to menaces or threats Of a dissolution
of the Union.
have said, Mr.. Speaker, that the people of
New Hampshire are attached to this Union.
,at, A~n nnl,N IA vInr,
GUS blessings, and their sons not less patriotic,
will peril their lives in its defence. New Hamp.
shire was the ninth State-the last one requir-
ed to complete the formation of the Union, and
she will be the last to desert it in its hour of
peril. Her people understand their own duties
and relations to the General Government, and
they understand too, the duties and relations
Of the people Of her sister States to that same
Government. State Legislatures and Conven-
tions may resolve themselves out OF the Union;
but the Uuion nevertheless stands. And, even
if the Union is nothing more than compact
between the different States, the people of no
State can be absolved from their allegiance to
the United States until the bond Of union be-
tween them shall be dissolved by the consent
Of all the States who were originally parties to
the compact. do not, then, misstae the SEN
timents of her people when proclaim that as
one of the loyal and patriotic States of the Con.
federacy, whenever the people of any other
State shall, from whatever cause, trample down
and violate the laws Of the Union, the motto of
New Hampshire will be, "The Constitution,
the Union, and the enforcement of the laws !"
If the maintenance of this doctrine shall result
in strife and boodshed the responsibility must
rest with those who provoked the conflict.
There can be no Union unless the laws of the
Union are enforced. There can be no Govern.
ment unless that Government puts forth efforts
to have its own authority respected. And when
the hour of trial comes, and patriotic hearts
are necessary to maintain and defend the in
tegrity Of the Union, the people of my gallant
State will respond promptly to the call of pa
triotism, and whether from foes without or foes
within, will defend to the last her country s
flag. They will as one man, adopt the recent
language of one Of her most gifted poets
"By the many hopes the living cherish;
BY iaih in freedoms sacred trust;
By the patriot names that cannot perish
BY the soil made dear by IAngdons dust;
By the deeds Of Stark, enshrned in story;
| By the voices speaking from the past;
| By our priceless heritage Of glory,
| Wen defend the Union to the last"
But do not apprehend any serious collision
do not believe that this land is to be drenched
in the blood Of fratricidal strife. Unless some
mad attempt should be made upon this capi
tal-which will never be yielded to the enc
mics of the present Government let the cost tc
save or retake it be ever so great believe in
the final peaceful solution Of all our difficulties
do not believe it will be accomplished, how
ever, by any unmanly yielding, or any humilia
ting concessions on either side; but from the
returning reason and sense of justice of the
great mass of the people in the Southern States
now misguided and led astray by the falsehoods
and Vaccinations of political leaders, who have
fomented this rebellion to subserve their owr
selfish and ambitious ends.
Let the Administration of Mr.. Lincoln once
come fairly into power; let it have an oppor
tunity to develop its policy as every other Ad
ministraton has done; let it maintain wise
but firm and decided course in the enforcement
of the revenue laws, and the protection of the
public property, and it will not be long before
the eyes Of the people of the seeding States
will be opened not merely as to the real aim
and position of the Republican party, but ais,
to the ruinous policy which they have beer
made to pursue. Then will come the tint
when the conservative, patriotic men OF those
States, who are now submerged by this revolu
tonary tide, can and will be heard. And
then, when the olive branch shall be rendered
by the people of the North when the mutua
misunderstanding are done away, the people
Of the South will return to their allegiance t.
the Government that has protected them so lony
and so well; peace and harmony will once NOR
be restored and the glorious old stars ant
stripes will still float in the breezes of heaven
the banner ota common country.