The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1861-01-31

would outweigh all the immediate ad-
vantagos Of such a measure, but if che
measure we're practicable l should pre-
fer a different course, namely: When
the eccentric movements Of secession
and disunion shall have ended, in what
ever form that end may come, and the
angry ezcitements of the hour shall
have subsided, and calmness once more
shall have resumed its accustomed sway
over the public mind; then, and not un-
Gil then, one, two or three years hence, l
should cheeriully advise a convention
Of the people TO be assembled in pursu-
ance to the Constitution, TO consider and
decide whether any aud what amend
monts Of the organic national law ought
to be made.
Republican now, as I have hereto
fore been a member Of other parties ex-
sting in my day, I nevertheless hold
and cherish as 1 always have done, the
principle that this Government exists in
its present form only by the consent Of
the governed, and that it is as neces-
sary as wise, to resort to the people for
reyisions Of the organic law, when the
troubles and dangers Of the State Ger
tainly transcend the powers delegated by
it to the public authorities. Nor ought
the suggestion to excite surprise. Gov
ernment is a machine. This is the most
complex one that the mind Of man ever
invented, or the hand Of man has ever
framed. Perfect as it is, it ought to be
expected that it will. at least as often as
once 10 a century, require some modid-
cation to adapt il to the changes Of So
ciety, and alterations Of empire.
LAWS AGAINST THE INVASION OF STATES.
Fourthly. I hold myself ready now,
as always heretofore, to vote for any
properly guarded laws which may be
deemed necessary to prevent mutual iu
vasjons OF States by citizens Of other
States, and punish those who shall aid
and abet them.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Filthy. Notwithstanding the argu-
ments of the gallant Senator from Or
egon, CGen. Lane) I remain of the
opinion that physical bonds, such as
highways, railroads, rivers and canals,
are vastly more powerful for holding
civil communities together than any
mere covenants, though written on
parchment or engraved on iron. l
remain, therefore, constant to my pur-
pose to secure, if possible, the construo-
tion of two Pacific railways, one Of
which shall connect the ports around
the mouth of the Mississippi and the
other the towns on the Missouri and
the lakes, with the harbors on our
Western coast.
IT, in the expression of these views,
have not proposed what is desired or
expected by many others, they will do
3 me the justice to believe that I am as
far from having suggested what in many
respects would have been in harmony
with cherished convictions of my own.
| learned early from Jefferson that in
political affairs we cannot always
do what seems to us absolutely best
Those with whom we must necessarily
act, entertaining different views, have
the power and the right Of carrying
them iuto practice. We must be con-
tent to lead when we can, and to follow
when we cannot lead. And If we can
. not a any time do for our country all
the good that we would wish, we must
be satisfied with doing for her all the
q good we can.
t Having submitted my own opinion
. on this great crisis, it remains only ia
/ say that l shall cheerGully lend to the
/ Government my best support in what
% ever prudent, yet energetic efforts it
shall make to preserve the Union, ad
J.. vising only that it practice as far as pos
l. sible the utmost moderation, forbear.
ance and Cancellation.
p ALL NOT YET LOST.
- And now, Mr.. President. what arc the
S auspices Of the country? l know that
@ We are in the midst Of alarms, and some,
}, what exposed to accidents unavoidable
{ in seasons Of tempestuous passions
l We already have disorder, and violence
- has begun. / know not to what exten
n it may go, still my faith in the Consti
70 tuition and in the Union abidcs, because
e my faith in the wisdom and virtue of
{ the American people remains unshakeu
d Goodness, calmness, and resolution ar,
o elements Of their character. They hay,
y been temporarily displaced, but they
are re-appearing, soon enough, l trust
for safety. 1t will be seen that seditior
IS and violence are only local and tempo
o rary, and that loyalty and affection t,
c the Union are the natural sentiment,
3, of the whole country. Whatever dan
o. gers there shall be, there will be a do
81 termination to meet them; whatever sac
l. ridces, private or public, shall be neel
It ful for the Union, they will be made.
.s TUE NATIONS MISSION NOT YET FULFHLEI
% / feel sure that the hour has not ye
B. come for this great nation to fall Thi
Il people, which has been studying to be
e come wiser and better as it has grow
s. older, is not perverse or wicked enough
h to desire so dreadful and severe a pun
I, ishment as dissolution. This Uniol
" has not yet accomplished what good 70
e mankind was manifestly Designed b.
y Him who appoints the seasons and pre-
l. scribes the duties Of States and Em
D. piros.
T. No, sir; if it we're cast down by fac
{, ton to-day it would rise again, and re
a appear in all its majestic proportions
l. morrow, Ii is the only GoveTnmer
70 that can stand here. Woe, woe 30 th
.e man that madly lifts bis hand against /
It Ii shall continue TO endure, and men