Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-19

from this Union. i think that the Constitution
Of the thirteen States made, not merely for
the generation which then ext ted but for poster
ity. underlined, unlimited, permanent, and perpet-
ual-for their posterity, and for every subsequent
State which might come into the Union, binding
themselves by that indssoluble bond. IL is 20
remain for that posterity now and forever. Like
another of the great relations of private life it
was a marriage that no human authority can dis
solve or divorce the parties from; and, IL may
be allowed to refer to this same example in pri-
vate life, let say what man and wife say to
each other: I'VE have mutual faults; nothing in
the form of human beings can be perfect; lei US
then be kind to each other, forbearing, concedng;
let us live in happiness and peace"
| Mr.. President, i have said what | solemnly be-
lieve-that the dissolution of the Union and war
are identical and inseparable; that they con-
yertbe terms.
S-ch war, too, as that would be, following
the dissolution of the Unionl Sir, we may search
the pages of history. and none so furious, none
so bloody, so implacable, exterminating, from
the wars Of Greece down, including those of the
Commonwealth of England and the revolution
OF France, none, none of them ragged with such
violence, or was ever conducted with such blood
shed and enormities, as will that war which shall
follow that disastrous event-if that event even
happens-of dissolution.
| Anu WDdb WOulu De us terInlDatlOnI standing
armies and navies to an extent draining the reve-
nues of each portion of the discovered empire
would be created; exterminating wars would fol
low not a var of two or three years but of inter
minabe duration-an exterminating would
follow, until some Philip or Alexander, some
Cesar or Napoleon, would rise to cut the Gordiar
knot, and solve the problem of the capacity o
man for self government, and crush the lbertie:
of both the discovered sections of the Union
Can you doubt itf Look at history-consut th,
pages of all history, ancient or modern; look a
human nature; look at the character of the con
test in which you would be engaged, in the sup
position of war following the dissolution Of tn,
Union-and i ask you if it is possible for you t
doubt that the final but perhaps distant termina
ton of the whole will be some despot treadin;
down the liberties of the peoplel-that the fna
result will be the extinction of this last and glo
rious light which is leading all mankind whC
gaze upon it to cherish hope and anxious expec
taton that the liberty which prevails here vii
sooner or later be advanced throughout the civil
lied world.
Can you, Mr. President, lightly contemplat,
the consequences Can you yield yourself to
torrent OF passion, amidst dangers which | hav'
depicted in colors far short of what would be tn
reality, If the event should ever happen2 / con
jure gentlemen-whether from the South or tn
North, by all they hold dear in this worldly al
their love of liberty-by all their veueration 70
their ancestors-by all their regard for posterit
by all their gratitude to Him who has bestOwe
upon them such unnumbered blessngs-by al
duties which they owe to mankind, and all tn
duties they owe to themselves--by all these con
siderations implore them to pause--solemny t
pause--at the edge of the precipce before ia
fearful and disastrous leap is taken in the yawn
ing abyss below, which will inevitably lead t
certain and irretrievable destruction.
And, finally, Mr. President, implore, as IN
best blessing which Heaven can beStow upon m
upon earth, that il the direful and sad event
the dissolution of the Union shall happen, ma
not survive to behold the sad and heart rendin
spectacle.