The Placer herald., 1861-01-26
HON. DANIEL S, DICKINSON
ON THE
POLITICAL CRISIS.

-A' u h'OO'iho vi plOuliufub ClIlLcLS OI Iue Guy
OF New York, held, irrespective of party, on the
18th Of December, Charles O'Connor was called
upon to preside. After speeches by the chairman
and John McKeon, and the ap )ointment of COM
mittee to prepare resolutions expressive of the
sentiments of the meeting, Hon. Daniel S. Dick
inson rose and said:
am here, Mr.. President, without intending to
take part in this meeting, because invited here;
for although have little faith in ANYTHING that
can be done at this moment, would not stay
away froma meeting called as this has BEEN and
looking to such great and benefccnt objects |
would not stay away if had the least hope that
anything could be accomplished. | have nothing
new to say upon this subject Mr.. Chairman, more
than what | have said before. through a long
course Of years. | have seen the seed planted-I
have seen the ground cultivated which received
the seed-I have seen the sprouts shoot up in rank
luxurious growth and overshadow the whole land
and it has finally produced its crop Of terrible and
poisonous fruit. But lei all who would know my
sentiments, read the record OF somewhat extend
ed public life. We are upon perlous times, and it
becomes the duty Of every patriot-every indvd-
ual who loves his country-to put forth every en-
ergy within his power. for the purpose of averting
not only the danger that threatens. but the danger
| that is upon us. In other days. had the honor
to be associated with that somcw hat eccentric but
! pure and elevated patriot--Calhoun he has gone
! to his rest and his reward. and Henry Clay who
! looked upon this Union with Il solicitude scarcely
| less anxious than that the Savior of men bestowed
! upon Jerusalem--he is not here now to take part
in the affairs OF the day; and if the Union is to
be dissolved, as rel giously believe it is heaven
| in mercy has granted the prayer Of the immortal
Webster, that when his eyes last beheld the sun
in heaven it light not shine upon the fra gments
| of discovered Union. From New York, and
from most Of the northern States, every indvd.
ual who thought as did in former times of peril,
has retired to private life. and their names have
been supplied. and their seats filled by those of
dramatically opposed opinions.
But more true joy Marcellus eXled feels,
Than Caesar, with the Senate at his heels.
This union cf States did not repose at other
times, and does not repose to-day, upon paper
laws and paper Constitutions. 1t was founded in
mutual friendship and regard, and common inter-
ests; and when these iraternal feelings cease to
exist, mere paper Constitution is but delusive
mockery. In 1910, the act which my friend who
just preceded me spoke Of and was called, in
common parlance, the nine months law. was re-
peued. 1t permitted our Southern brethren who
visited the State Of New York to bring with them
| their servants. and remain nine months; and set
they were rs fully protected as they were in the
States from which they came In lS40 sir. that
act was repealed. was then member of the
Senate Of this State. and although never dream
ing that should be on the national boards of
legislation knowing little OF this great question
compared with what | know now. | resisted the
repeal Of that law to the best of my ability as
long as could by arguments as long us | could
by fair efforts and finally when driven to the wall,
my blood co,rlsing more rapidly than now, | re-
sisted it fuciously, and kept the majority waiting
for nearly Il whole ght. received the rewards
OF appreciation from patriotic men for my eXer
tions, on the one side. and my full basket OF
onymous letters Of abuse on the other. But
scorn to speak of my personal action. l believe
that was the first source of trouble between the
North and the South, and think thu restoration
OF that bill wonld do more to restore good feeling
and good will than almost any other course that
could be advocated. 1t is not an amendment of
the Constitution that is wanted mcrely--the laws
are well cnough-the federal laws and ccnstitu-
ton are all well enough, but it is their execution
according to the spirit in which they were enact
ed. that is called for an, demanded on the part Of
the South. They insist upon the great principle
OF the equality of the States, and they are entl-
tied to it upon every consideration that can in
fuence men, communities, and States. The Con-
stitution makes them equal-the law makes them
equal--they are equal in the sight of fonest men,
aud are equals in the sight of God, and woe be to
him who undertakes to degrade and trample them
down. (Applluse.) The Soulh see and feel the
advancing population of the North and that now
in the national Legislature they are in The minor
ity. They see that in a few years there will be
majority OF two-thrds against them. not only of
States. but of representatives Of both branches Of
the Legislature and they may we'll fear that the
sentiment Of the entire free States will sweep
their institutions away. And hence it is that
they take alarm--hcncc it is determined that now,
while they have some power and some strength,
unless they can have additional guarantees to
protect and sustain them, to sccede from the
Union. They are iOrewarned and intend to be
forearmed, and unless they can find safety. secur-
ity. equality and repOse in the Union, they intend
to seek it outside, whatever fate may await them.
| know there are those among us who say that
the South do not intend to secede, they say this is
an unnecessary alarm. they say they can be coer-
ced and driven back in their position. All that
is necessary is rmness. But the South has seen
for years these little rivuets of opposition form
ing upon the hills and forcing down through the
gorges, until they form the black and bitter wa
ters of one great sea OF abolition, which threat
ems to overwhelm and engulf them.
l have already remarked that this Union was
union of good feeling, tratcrnal union, of
equals, of good-fellowship. and he who supposes
that these States can be continued as members Of
the contederacy by coerciOn-that they can be
fought, defeated and subdued. into equal and
faithful members of the Onledcracy--shOuld go
home to his domestic hearth and there breed
jealouses, dlstrust, and aninlosity between him
self and the partner Of his bosom she who pledg
ed herself to love honor and obey him, who is
the mother Of his children, who has attended him
through the vicissitudes of life and the bereave
ments which have awaited them; and after he has
CreutCu lulS lcl lleH CiltSIlSc Her
to make her love and honor him more. And
when he has succeeded, let him attempt to chas
tise State until it shall become more faithful
member of the conledeacy. All the paper laws
we have-all the strength, force and power Of the
Constitution--the army and navy, the national
legislature and the executive power OF the gov
ernment, are all not worth single rush to com
pei State to remain one hour in the confederacy
longer than she chooses to remain If the allie
glance Of a State can be secured to the federal
Constitution. it must be because it believes that
it is its duty to the sister States under the Con
stitution upon the great principles of equality,
upon which the federal government rests. All
the children of q common father. who sit down