The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-04-09
Speech Of Hon. N. Perry, of New Jersey,

UetUefed ln Inc rouse U heP'eSe"t"ttOe' y" "'0
9Th of Mareh, 1862.
The House being in COMMITTEES OF the
Whole onthe stale oIthe Union, Mr.. PERRY
said
Mr. CHA1RMAN: 1t is with great reiuc-
tance that enter al this time into any dis
cussion: but the questions of emancipation
and abolition having been forced upon this
House in various forms By the gentleman
from Massachusetts, (Mr Elliott the gen.
tleman from Illinois, Mr. Loveioy,] the
gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr.. Ste
phens,1 the gentleman from Ohio, Mr..
Bingbam] and others processing similar
sentiments, at time like the awful present
involving issues so vital and important,
plain good intention, n wish 10 prevent any
m m:sconslructon OF the views of my constit-
uents and an earnest desire for The welfare
of my country, are the only motives tha;
prompt me 10 tresspass for lew moments
on the attention o! this House.
II there ever was an occasion that called
for an exalted conception Of public affairs,
or for superhnman effor to cast aside the
bonds of fanaticsm and stand before the
world patriot, not partzan, II is the pres
ent. We necer have seen, and trust TO
God we never will see again, snch crisis.
Everything that makes life desirable Is de-
pending on the fortune of war; but the re-
suit OF that war rests with our loyal peo-
pie.
Those measures advocating the abolition
of slavery involve and virtually ask the
question, shall the Government be main
tanned and the Union preserved They
present themselves al the bar OF this House
clad in the borrowed garments of necessity
They bear beneath their deceptive folds a
sword drawn to destroy and sever the Union
"a shield TO shelter and defend The beloved
African. They are, MIR Chairman, wolves
in sleeps clio; hing.
The fact that these extreme measures
are totally unconstitutional is perhaps SUI
| hcient 10 condemn them bui there is Moth
inc in the Constitution that gives them even
the shadow of foundation. This is con-
test to uphold and maintain. not TO destroy
and overthrow the Constitution The Amer
ican Union can exist no longer than the
/ Constitution remains safe from tho insidious
attacks OF these abolition doctrines. If we
give up our defence OF The Constitution, or
yield one inch of the sacred territory upon
which we take our stand, we seal orr own
! faie are accessory to our own insisnificance
and aid in our own destruction. II nnder-
stand, sir, anything Of the object OF this
war, il is designed for the preservation of
the country, and not for its destruction -
yet you propose TO annihlate the great in
sttution of The South iha. yon may preserve
the South How can you preserve the
whole by destroying any part But you
may be willing 10 sacrifice, If necessary, a
part to save the rest
| For myself, want far, far stronger proof
that emancipation or abolition, is a neces-
sly. cannot now be made TO believe that
il is necessary 10 make the slaves our allies
in suppressins this rebellion.
| This is not war for the destruction and
depopnlation of the South, but war TO
preserve the South, and restore it 10 the
projection of The Government and the
! laws.
! Since all our acts have such an influence
| on the existence of our nation, ii is necessa-
ry that we should look at The effect of our
| measures
What. then wonld be the effect of the
! adoption of these abolition schemes?
/ And here the book OF fate is opened to US
4 so wide thai he who cannot draw from it
4 instruction and warning must be blind in
deed.
| Though think that the advocate of these
measures err in their judgement.siill have
4 the charity 10 believe in the rectiiude of
/ their intentions But the effects OF this pol
icv are so certain that they seem 10 me 10
be evident to almost dulneSs itself.
The universal condemnation with which
this emanc patton doctrine has been receiv-
/ ed in Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee,
is a sufficient index Of It's effect in the rest
! OF the Southern States. Men thar were for
merly Union men have actually been drv-
en- to take mp arms and join the rebel army.
From escaped and released prisoners, from
deseners from the rebel army, from hun
drsG sources, we have an unl miied amount
OF proof that it is the general impression of
the South thai this war has for ils direct ob
ieci the emancipation of the slaves How
ever much we may dsclaim such a policy
still that does no. alter tie fact that such an
impression prevails. The soldiers and Peo-
pie derive these impre ssions from their
leaders; bul The truth cannot be shnt out
from Tie people for any great length OF
time.
Now, il these rumors are without found
alton they must fall 10 the ground, and bury
their authors in the ruins.
There are thousands al The South who
cannot thus be misled by the leaders who
are compelled TO occupy neutral position.
But give these repous the shadow OF a
foundation in fact, let this abolition policy