The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-12-30
The Safety Of the People is the
Nf Highest Law.

Mr.. Chairman, we have class Of poll
iSicians here who are continually finding
fault with the exercise of the necessary
powers by this Government for the sup
preston of the rebellion. i know that
the Constituting of the United States was
not framed ia full contemplation of the
present condition Of things. The fra
mers Of that instrument never anticipa-
ted that we should at this day be en-
gagged in the struggle that now hangs
upon us and therefore il is that the Con-
stitution does not enter into detail in re-
gard TO all the measures that may be
necessary to carry us safely through the
struggle.
But, sir, of one thing we are assured,
that Che people of the United States have
a right to live as anation, and they have
the right TO use the means necessary to
save This raticn's life And who is it
that exercises the power of this Govern
mont, after allP 1t is the people of tAe
United States, and not king. When
the Congress of the United States speaks
in its Legislative capacity, it is the voice
of the people speaking through their con-
stituted agents. When the Judiciary of
this country expounds the Constitution
and the. laws, and decides cases, it is
| the Judgment of she people. When the
executive arm is raised to strike down
rebellion, and TO execute the laws, it is
the blow of the people; it is the hand of
the people collectively that enforces the
blow upon the recusant members of the
community, and when the people are
/ A., |. L. L.
their constituted authorities TO preserve
themselves as a nation, they have a right
to exercise, through their constituted
agents, all necessary powers TO accom-
plish that object. Therefore ii is that /,
in instances where can find no express
provision of the Constitution authorizing
an act, exercise my best judgment TO de-
termine the question whether the act be
necessary to the great end at which all
ought to be aiming, whether we are or
not: and ii | can answer upon my con-
science in the Affirmative, | say that the
act is iustifable. 1t is upon this idea
4 that | hold that this government may
conliscate rebel property, and may seize,
hold, keep, and deprive the rebels of their
slaves, If it be necessary TO the accom-
plishment of the great end in view.
| Sir, | am no fanatic on this question OF
slavery. have been reared in its midst,
and accustomed to it all the days of my
life; and SO long as its existence in its
present form involves no danger TO the
Republic, so long | hold .hat;s ought to
be tolerated and protected, as other pro-
perty is, by the local laws of the State;
but that the moment il becomes an ele-
ment Of national destruction, tie mo-
ment we have to choose between national
death and the death of slavery, that mo-
ment slavery ought 10 die. | am for a
restoration of the Union, and | am for q
restoration of the States to their original
position in the Oonfederacy. But, sir
we all know that the institution of slave
ry, If nstthe cause of the rebellion, has
been E1ost potentelement-a means oil
breeding and prosecuting this rebellion
Hence, sir, in the process of restoring the
Union, | would place it in position tohert
ii SoouLa have to obeg, and ,ohere Hcould nevei
dg0iR command in this Government. / am
for the restoration of the Union on these
terms, and am for prosecuting this war
by all tho physical means within our
reach, until we subjugate the men who
have raised the arm of rebellion against
this Government
! am not, as my distinguished friend
from Illinois Mr.. Richardson intimated
that he was, in hisspeech the other day,
for compromise with white men, if il be
that class of men who are engaged 10
ithis wicked rebellion. am for compro-
mise with no set Of men who have under
taken TO destroy this Government, short
Of absolute submission on their part, and
+ whatever the magnanimity aud generos
ity Of the Government may dictate az
Just aud right towards them. And when
l say this, think speak the real senti-
ments Of the straight-out, unconditional
Union men of the border States. know
that speak the sentiments Of the un.
= conditional Union men of my own Dis.
: trict. They have tasted. the fruits o.
: this war. Their homes and their fire.
sides have been dcsoaied they hav,
!, felt the oppressor's arm; they have suf
fered the consequences of this rebellion
and they are for no restoration Of In,
Union short OF Eabmission 10 the author.
y ity Of the nation, and short Of a restora
!. lion that will bring back perpetual ans
An enduring peace. And If the exist
epoe Of African slavery in the horde
e Slrtee, or elsewhere, is hereafter TO oe
J. cons an element ofpolitical power il
r this 4oFernment and by combinations
NortlSnt South, TO housed as means o
raising SpNor of razing down public men
i think I'm say with truth that the op
" pressed, iown- sfodden men of the Dor
N der Sialeaare for no such restoration a
: thai Hethe, IL il, Sir. that 1 earl,
= took Egoang Ia favor OF the scheme 4
q border State emaneipation--a schem
70 which, pSgshtpA sntaSile - large > ig