Santa Fe gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1859-1864, 1862-05-31

Extract from tho Speech OF Mr.. VooEhois,
Member Of COngress from Indiana, Deliver
ell In the House OF Representatives on the
18TH OF February.
Mr.. Voorheis-Nr. Chairman, the first duty,
perhaps Of one who attempts to address q deliD'
eratiyc body, is clear and candid definition Of
his own position on tho subject under discussion.
| an wiling and ready to meet that requirement
on this occasion. propose to dscuss the duty
Of the Federal Government in its relation to the
unhappy war which now ailicts tho nation and
tbe objects for which alone that war should be
o3 ,cacd. And standing here, aloyal and faith
la eitzaus recognizing to the fullest extent the
bud OF my allegiance, declare my purpose to sus'
tlin the Government with all my snargies in all
its constitutional efforts 10 maintain unbroken the
Uaon OF these States as our fathers made it; thst
will sustain it with all my energies in SO con
ducag this war that it shall mot be waged in thu
spirit u conquest or su9ugatlon, nor for the put
pose Of Oyertrowing Or interfering with the rights
orinsltlti0ns of the States, but TO defend and
mAiatain The supremacy Of the Constitution, and
to preserve the Union with all the dignity equal
i.y and rights Of the several States unimpairel;
bat tia, shall oppose unalterably in all constI
tutJnal methods, and to the utmost of MY ability
the prosecution of this war for the purpose Of sub
iugatng til. Southern States, reducing them t.
The co1l.,Dn OF Territories, subvertng their insti
tutoas ani laws, or libemtng their slaves This
portion conceive to be one on which every love-
Of tn, Union, every disciple of tho Constitution
every friend ol humanity, can stand. 1t ia thy
ro3k Of the Constitution, and h9 who places hi
feet upon it may defy the storm which rage:
around him
ila Juion was established by the prayers, tht
tears the groans the blood of generation whcl
stinls exalted in all that ennObles the human ract
over all thl other generations Of men which tht
earta Ia, Witnessed. 1t comes down to US rCl
with the odor OF blessed memories. To preserv,
il in its purity to restore ii to its glory to lift
up olc. mjre tor the civilized world to look ut ant
alur.;tl baquiath it uninpared in its benilcen
grandeur N our children, is cause in which ever.
sa2rAce, save that Of eternal truth becomes cheal
anil easy. For that cause desire, in my humb,
clpacity, 10 speak to day, For that cause cal
Say with tho ey- Of 0mniscience for my witness
% de 0ttS'1a the two oceans that bound th,
continent would be more willingly offered thai
mna..
Bat q greater evil, q more fatal calamity to IL
aal oar pJsteli'y than even O hostile line oil dvi
slpl across ha heart Of the nation is, in my judg
m4nt here threatened on this floor The fall 0
The Republic can never becOmplete until the Con
sti'nfon is overth'0wn, A portion of its terrific
ry mly b9 torn away, treason may rob it Of muc
oI It's treasure, the tightening may descend an
scatter some OF It's beautiful branches, and seaE
aud scar its stately trunk, but if the immortO
PRINCIPLES Of the Constitution are left, the sap
lie will rils agiin and the leaves will come in tn
spring Destroy than and the tree Of liberty
llS4 qusi tree OF tho Western forests, wi
hasten to decay, and fall to the earth, to be rt
moved as rubbish oy the hand Of some tyrant an
usip.r Sir, what Is it that constitutes the valu
Of American citizenship Is it vast possession
mud extensive boualsriasl What to me, what b
you, /. the possession OF the four quarters Of th
globe and all the Islands of the sea, il we have no
~ our shield, oar bucklar and our defense the Cor
etitation of our fathers? Within It's sacred fold
are garlered up the great crown jewlS Of huma
freedom.
First, and above all at every hazard, aud in th
faca Of all consequences. permit not the citizen
10 be robhed OF those jtwlls. They constitute hi
all they render his person sacred they enable hit
when abroad to exclaim with more weight tha
the Roman Of old, that he is an American cltizel
they open biz prison doors n time Of trouble; The
place him before his accusers; the give him triI
byhs peers; they protect him 10 the injoyment
the hardearDed labor of his hands; they tell bin