The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-01-23

purpose to secure, if possible, the construc-
ton OF two Pacific railways, one of which
shall connect the ports around the mouths
OF the Mississippi, and the other the towns
on the Missouri and the Lakes, with the
harbors on our western coast
1t, in the expression of these views,
have not proposed what is desired or expect.
ed by many others, they will do Inc the
Justice to believe that am as far from hay
ing suggested what in many respects would
have been in harmony with cherished con.
victions 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 necessa-
rily act, entertaining different views, have
the power and the right of carrying them
into practice. We must be content to lead
when we can, and to follow when We can
not lead; and if we cannot at any time do
for eur country all the good that we would
wish, we must be satisfied with doing for
hor all the good that we can.
Having submitted my own opinions on
this great crisis, it remains only to say that
shall cheerfully lend to the Government
my best support in whatever prudent vet
energetic efforts it shall make to preserve
the public peace, and to maintain and pre-
serve the Union; advising, only that it
practice as far as possible the utmost MOD
GRAFTON; FORBEARANCE and CON-
CILIATION.
And now, Mr.. President. what are the
auspices of the country? know that we
are in the midst of alarms, and somewhat
exposed to accidents unavoidable in seasons
OF tempcstuous passions. We already
have disorder; and violence has begun. -
l know not to what extent it may 90. Still
my faith in the Constitution and in the
Union abides, because my faith in the wis.
dom and virtue Of the American people re-
mains mistaken. Goodness, calmncss and
resolution arc elements of their character.
They have been temporarily displaced; but
they are reappcarng. Soon enough,
trust for safety, it will be seen that sedition
and violence are only local and temporary,
and that loyalty and affection to the Union
are the natural sentiments of the whole
country. Whatever dangers there shall be,
there will be the determination to meet
them; whatever sacrifice, private or public,
shall be necdful for the Union, they will be
made. feel sure that the hour has not
come for this great nation to fall. This
people which has been studying to become
wiser and better as it has grown older, is
not pcrverse or wicked enough to deserve
so dreadful and severe a punishment as
dissolution. This Union has not yet ac-
complished what good for mankind was
manifestly designed by Him who appoints
the seasons and prescribes the duties of
State and Empires. No, sir; If it were cast
down by faction to day, it would rise again
and reappear in all its majestic proportions
tomorrow. 1t is the only Government that
can stand here. Woe! Woe! to the man
that nady lifts his hand against it. 1t
shall continue and endure; and men, in af-
'ertimes, shall declare that this generation,
which saved the Union from such sudden
and unlocked for dangers, surpassed in
magnanimity even that one which laid it's
foundations in the eternal principles of lib
-rty, justice and humanity.