Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-01-19
.gbe Ohio 9tatesmnm
SPEECH OF HON. 8. s. cox,
OBJ OHIO,
Delivered in the House Of Representa-.
tives, January Ia, 1861.
Mr. COxs Plea for Conciliation and Nationality.

6r. COx's Plea for concilistion and Nationality
Mr.. COX. Mr.. Chairman, speak from ant
for the capital of the greatest of the States o
the great West. That potential section ia be.
ginning to be appalled, at the colossal strlde,
OF revolution. IL has immense ipterests Al
stake In this Union, as well from its position a,
its power and patriotism. We have had inf
deity to the Union before; but never in such Q
fearful shape. We had IL in the East during
the late war with England. Even 80 late as The
admission Of Texas, Massachusetts, resolved
herself out of the Union. That resolution ha,
never been repealed; and one would infer from
much OF her conduct that she did not regard
nerself as bound by our covenant Since 1856
10 the North, we have had infdeIitv To tbe
Union, more by insidious infractions of the Con.
adtution, than by open rebellion. Now, air as
aconsequence, in part, Of these very infractions,
we have rebellion itself, open and daring, In
terrific proportions, with dangers go formidable
as to seem almost remedess.
from the time took my seat this session,
have acted and voted In every way to remove
the causes of discomfort and to stop the nro-
gress OF revolution. At the threshold. I voted
to raise the committee from each State: and
voted against excusing the members who
| sought to withdraw from it, because believed
| then, that such q committee patriotically con
stituted, as believe it was, had in it much of
hope and safety; and because, to excuse mem.
oers from service on IL, upon the grouud of Sc
cesslon, was to recognize the heresy. I am
ready to vote now for any salutary measure which
WIN bring peace and preserve the Union. lie.
rodotus relates that when Mardonius was en-.
| camped in B@otla, before the battle of Platma
he and KTfV nf hiu nAfoouo
the same number of Thebans at bannuet. at
which they recined in rairs, Persian and a
Iheban upon each couch. During the enter
tainment one Of the Persians, with mapv tears.
predicted to his Theban companion the speed '
and utter destruction of the invading army.
and when asked why he used no influence with
Mardonius to avert IL, he answered
when one would give faithful counsel nobody ia nil
ing TO believe him. Although many Of US PeIsians are
aware o. the end We are coming to, wO still 60 on bo
auerest Of mans grle to see clearly but have no
power to do anything at ALL"
lbelieve, sir, that the events now TRANSMITTING
are big with disaster to my country. have
done my humble part for years to prevent then
but do not see now that any effort on nv mart
can avail, and this is heLbtterest of a mans
grief. 1t Is in such peril as this that the
heart spontaneously prays for a nearer commu.
nicaticn with divine prescience. We long for
some direction from superior pow er, In whose
great mind the end is seen from the beginning
At least one might wish for some magic miro,
Of Merlin, In which to see the foes of or,
country approach. SO Gs rightly to guard against
them.
Four States have, in SO far as they could, BY
their own act, separated from our Federal
Union. This is one Of the stern facts which
this Congress has to encounter. The Govern
ment is passing through one of those historic
Spochs incident to all nationalities. Our pros
pecity has made US proud, rich. intoerant, and
setf-sufbcien; and therefore prone. 10 be rebe...
foya. We have waxed fat--are doing well
''tempestuously well.,' Ascending to the height
Of nstioual glory, through national nnity,
we are In danger of falling by our own dizEi.
ness. We are called upon TO break down and
thrust sside che very means of our ascent-the
Constitution itself!
In such q time, the bitter elimination and
vain threats and insults of party and of sections
are out of place. They should not turn the
people of the North from doing their whole du-
ty othe South: nor the South from more de.
libreate review of Its pact, and more pruden.
tial view Of its perilous future. No man has
the right to say or do sught that will further ex
asperate the public sentiment of the South
NU kOou uhu Al tuC kNOEtu ChU oppose
any measure of honorable recession from
wrong l cannot speak of South Carolina
in the tone and temper of some. She has
been part of our national life. Her blood
is In our veins; her Mar;ons, Sumters, and
Pinckneys, are ours. Eutaw, Covpens, and
Camden; are they not part Of that glory,
which no more can be separated from the Union
than the dawn from the SUM- Whatever NAV
be our Indignation against her, or our duty to
ourselves, let US remember that public senti-
ment is not to be reached by threat or denun-
citation. Our Government depends for It's exc.
cution on public sentiment. To that sentiment
alone, In its calmer mood, are we to look for
restoration of better feeling. When that feel.
ing comes, il will be hailed like the sea.bird
which visited the sea.tossed caravel of Colum-
bus--as the hsrbinger Of frm-set footing be-
yond
Other facts of q similar perilous character
will coon transpire. Georgia, Texas, and Lou
isiana, will assuredly follow the erratio course
of South Carolina. This fact must soon be en-
countered. South Carolina has been singing
her Marseillaise, and the waves Of the Cult
make accordant music in the revolutionary an.
them. Il but echoes the abolition of the North
and West; for scarcely had the song died away
on the shores of Lake Erie, before South Caro-.
lima took it up with wilder chorus! Extremes
thus meet. Extremes north have aided, If not
conspred, with extremes south, in the work of
disintegration.
That work will 20 on. lknow that We are
very slow to believe in any sign Of dissolution.
We have faith In our luck. We have trust in
a certain inventive faculty, which has never
vet failed us, either in mechanical or political
expedients. Our politics are plastic to emer-
gencies. Still must warn the people of Ohio
that It Ia the well-grounded fear, almost the
foregone conclusion of the patriotic statesmen
here, that the work Of breaking up will 60 on,
until the entire South sball be arrayed against
the entire North.
In view Of theae facts, will discuss these
propositions:
1. That secession Ia not a right in any posi-.
BILE relation in which 1t can be viewed; TO toler.
s.e 1t In theory or practice, Is moral treason TO
patriotism and good government.
9. That while II may not involve such direful
consequences as other revolutions still iii rev.
olution.
3. That every effort Of Cancellation shouldbe
exhausted to check It, before force is applied.
a. That If the North does not do her part
fully in recession from aggression, It will be
impossible to unite the northern people, or any
portion Of the southern people. inrepressing se-
cession.
8. That If the South will make patient en-
deayor, equal to the great occasion, to secure
her rights in the Union, believe that che will
succeed and IL she Is then repulsed, 1t will be
impossible for her to receive any detriment from
the North; but she will depart In peace.
II 49,.