Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-05-27


the Allegheny mountains dividing the wat
ers from those which found their outlet in
the Gulf of Mexico. They seemed to pre-
sent natural separation. That danger
has vanished before the noble achievements
OF the spirit Of internal improvements, and
the immortal genius of Fulton. And now,
no where is found more loyal attachment
to the Union, than among these very west
ern people, who, it was apprehended would
be the first to burst its ties.
The other cause, domestic slavery. hap
PLY the sole remaining cause which is like.
iy TO disturb our harmony, continues to
exist. Ii was this which created the great.
est obstacle and the most anxious soicitude
in the deliberations of the Convention that
adopted the general Constitution. And il
is this subject that has ever been regarded
with the deepest anxiety by all who are
sincerely desirous of the permaneney of
our Union. The Father CT his Country in
his last affecting and solemn appeal to his
fellow citizens. deprecated. as the caIami-
tous event, the geographical divisions
which 10 might produce. The Convention
wisely left to the several States, the power
not necessary to the plan of Union which
it devised, and as one with which the gen
eral government could not be invested with.
out planting the seeds of des truction.-
There let it remain undisturbed by any
unhallowed hand.
Sir. am not in the habit Of speaking
lightly of the possibility Of dissolviug this
happy Union. The Senate knows that /
have deprecated illusions, on ordinary oc-
casions, to that direful event. The coun.
try will testify that, if there be anything
in the history of my public career worthy
OF recollection, it is the truth and sincerity
OF my ardent devotion to its lasting pres
ervation. But we should be false to our
allegiance to il, if we did not discriminate
between the imaginary and real dangers
by which We may be assaulted Abolition
should no longer be regarded as an inagin
airy danger. The abolitionists, let me sup.
pose, succeed in their present aim of unit
ing the inhabitants of the free States as
one man, against the inhabitants of the
slave States. Union on the one side will
beget union on the other. And the pro-
Gees of reciprocal consolidation will be at
tended with all the violent prejudices, en-
FILTERED aud implscable animosities, which
ever degraded OF deformed human nature.
A virtual dissolution of the Union will
have taken place, whilst the forms of its
existence remain. The most valuable ele-
ment Of union. mutual kindness, the feel
ings of sympathy, the fraternsl bonds
which now happily unite Us, will have been
extinguished forever One section will
stand in rnenacing and hostile array acains,
the other. The collision of opinion will
quickly be followed by the clash of arms.
l will not attempt to describe scenes which
now happily lie concealed from our view.
AbOlitioGisss themselves would shrink back
in dsmay and horror at the contenplation
of desolated fields, conf1agTated cities, muir
dered inhabitants, ard the overthrow of
the fairest fabric Of human government
that ever rose 10 animate the hopes Of ciyI
iliZed man. Nor should these ab0Iitionists
f1atter themselves that, II they can succeed
in their object of uniting the people of the
free States. they will enter the contest with
a numbered superiority that must ensure
victory. All history and experience prove
the hazard and uncertainty Of war. AMI
we are admoDished by Holy Wit that the
race is not TO the swift, nor the battle T.
the strong. But if they were to conuue-t
whom would they conquer? A foreign
foe--one who had insulted our flag, invad-
ed our shores and laid our country waste
No, sir. 1t would be q conquest without
laurels, without glory-s self, suicidal
coDquest-a conquest of brothers over
brothers, achieved by one over another
portion OF the descendants of common an
cestors, who, Dobly pledging their lives,
their fortunes, and their sacred donors.
had fought and bied, side by side, in MANY
hard battle on land and ocean, secured
our country from the British Grown and
established our national independence.
The inhabitants of the slave States are
sometimes accused by their northern breth-
ern with displaying too much rsshness and
sensibility 10 the operations and proceeds
ings of abOliIionists. But, before they can
be Judged, there should be a reversal of
conditions. Let me suppose that the people
of the slave States we're to form societies.
subsidize presses, make large pecuniary
contributions, send forth numerous mis-
sionaries throughout all their own borders.
and enter into Vaccinations to burn the
beautiful capitals, destroy the productive
manufactures, and sink liz the ocean the
gallant ships o. the northern States
Would these incendiary proceedings be
regarded as neighborly and friendly, and
consistent with the fraternal sentiments
which should ever be cherished by one
portion Of the Union towards another p
Occasion no nanifestions of dissatisfaction,
nor leads to any acts Ofretalitory violence?
But the supposed Gaze falls far short Of the
actual one IN a most essential circumstance
In no contingency could these capitals,
manufactures, aud ships rise 10 rebellion
and massacre inhabitants Of the northern
States.
am. Mr.. President, no friend of sla-
hn III
that every pulsation of mine beats high
and strong in the cause Of civil liberty =
Wherever it is safe and practicable, / de-
sire to see every portion Of the human
family in the enjoyment Of it. But | pre-.
fer the liberty of my own race to that o.
any other race. Tue liberty of the de.
scendants of Africa in the United State,
is incompatible with the safety and liberty
of the European descendants. Their sla-
very forms an exception resulting from 9
steam and in1exible necessity-to the gen
eral liberty in the United States. We did
not originate, nor are we responsible for
this necessity. Their liberty, if il were
! possible, could only be established by yio-
lating the incontestible powers of the
States, and of subvertIng the Union. AND
beneath the ruins of the Union would b,
buried, sooner or later, the liberty Of both
races.
But il one dark spot exists or our politi
can horizon, is it not Obscufed by the brigh
! and effulgeut and cheering light tina
beams all around US? Was ever a peopl,
| before 50 blessed as we are, If true 20 our
selves? Did ever any other nation contain
within its bosom so many elements Of pros
! perity, of greatness ard of glory? Ou
only real danger lies ahead, conspicuous
! elevated and visible. 1t was clearly die
cerned at the commencement, ard distinct
| ly seen throughout our whole career
Shall we vantonly ran upon it,and de,tru,
/ all the glorious anticiPations of The bigl
destiny that awaits us? / bsseech th
ab0litionists themselves sOlemnly to paus
in their mad and fatal course. Amidst tn
infinite variety OF objects of humanity ant
beDeyolence which invite the empIayuen
of their energies, let them select some on