Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-03-01

thirty-three, nor yet altogether with ih
views Of any Of the minority reports, fee
il TO be my duty TO take this method OF eS
planning what, in my judgment, should b
done, and what should not be done, will
the various subjects upon which we shat
soon be called upon TO act.
I And first let me say, that the course o
! those occupying extreme positions in th'
South, before and especially since our as
sembling here has made it embarrassing foi
me or any of us who would preserve the
Constitution in all its yigor, to listen even
to words Of Cancellation; while anything like
compromise has never been possible for u
moment. Compromises are under the ban
Of all parties, and to the advocates OF Sc.
cession, who mean revolution, more odous
than to any other. If any State or States
may withdraw their Senators and Repre-
senatives, seize forts, ships, arsenas, minis
hospitals, and dock-yards, Whenever an
election terminates adversely to their politi-
cal opinions and then demand terms-fun-
damental changes of organic laws-belore
they will return TO their allegiance, what Is
our Constitution, with all its historic spen-
dor, worth? Should such a course obtain
the sanction of serious concessions, the na-
lional Government would be forever destroy
ed, and each member of the family, as they
acquired strength and mettle for dlsobedi-
ence, might in turn defy the law and order
of the paternal roof unless some portion of
authority was abdicaled, and some portion
of the estate was set apart for exclusive en-
joyment. | will do nothing to commit our
Republic to this crumbling process Of mu
tiny and decay | will do nothing to admit
the doctrine of secession as the extreme
medicine Of the Constitution. No one who
desires the continuance of the Union should
consent to put it in a position of mere sut-
ferance-tenant at will--of one State, nor
even dozen States. Self-preservation for
bids that our system should be inocula,ed
with any such virus. If the seeding States
desire to quit the Union, and to quit it for
ever, let them propose constitutional amend
mentS for that purpose, and calmly submit
them to he people. This is the only mode
by which the end aimed at can be reached
without civil war, and the utter demoraliz-
alton of all the parties who choose to main
tain the present Constitution.
| know that the existence Of party as
compared with the existence of the Union,
is matter Of utter inSignificance But, al
this time, there is but one party which
can be relied upon as an entirety, and in
all its integrity in favor Of the Union and the
Constitution as it is. If this party fails in
its duty, or lacks the courage equal to its
mission, either the Union will be- DESTROYED,
or the Constitution viii be so changed that
it might cost less to abandon our Inheritance
thus incumbered than TO support it. Union
men, in whatever party now to be found,
should acknowledge he necessity and unite
with US in rescuing the Government from
its present dangers; and when We reach
caimer seas we shall have ample time to
fight about political differences as practical
issues arise. Whether Representatives
here show that patriotism or not, feel sure
the people will rally under no other banner
than the "stars and stripes"
For one, | cannot make what appears to
me to be concessions, nor consent to any
measure that shall lower the moral and
political standard of the great majority in
the North, The South shall have all its
rights but am commissioned to surrender
none. When the principles upon which was
elected a member of this House shall become
dangerous to the country shall deem ii my
duty TO resign and go home bat while / be-
ieve them vital to its preservation, they will
continue to he asserted. Measures intended
for humiliation, forcing the majority to ca
pituate to the minority, win have no coun-
tenance from me. But, outside of this, be-
ing victors, we can afford 10 be frank and
magnanimous, and say what we mean.
Rather, we cannot afford anything less. Ii
some future republican traveller from Nap
les or ST. Pittsburgh shall ever come here
TO sketch the ruins of this temple Of liberty,
let him have no data 10 note that it was
shattered by mere perversity of temper.
Let the rock upon which we splii-slavery
eXtension-and no other, be marked on the
map. The assailanS of the Union are now
i'll the wrong, and we must keep them so. |
will not shut my eyes to the fact that several
States, with apparent and sudden sanction
of their people, have started to leave US
with the intent never TO return. Other fixed
stars of the Republic, with fea of change
are perplexing the world. What / can pro-
perly do TO restore harmony, although it
may prove fruitless, | shall try. will deal
in truth, frankness, and Cancellation and
shall favor such measures as will not com
promise, in my judgment, the great prin-
ciples, of human liberty upon which our
| Government was established-if such shall
be accepted as an adjustment ofpresent diff
culties. Whatever might DO under ordi-
nary circumstances, neither more nor less,
| shall feel it incumbent upon me to do now
10 the people of the South our party has
been most pertinaciouSly misrepresented
| and am willing TO tell them that we intend
them no harm that, if jefferson and jackson
were not dangerous, their approximations are
unfounded as TO Mr.. Lincoln. ! am, there.
fore, willing to give congressional certifi.
cate that We have been slandered; that the
Republican party of to-day is no backer
than the Republican party which, for twenty
four years in succession, found in Virgins
successful candidates, for the Presidency
and that Mr.. Hamlin is as immaculately
white as is the gentleman from Ohio Gov.
eminent CoRwIN. feel sure the southern
people, goaded by calumnions oratory. have
made suicidal plunge; and | would CIV,
time for sober truth to rise and reassert ii,
empire, Not standing on the soules,
punetillio, that they ought to have knowr
better than to have leaped into such turbiJ
/ and bOttomless waters let ms nipv them nj