Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-01-08
Extracts from the speech

harmony. continues to exist. IL was thi which
created the greatest obstacle and the most anx
ious sOlicitude in the deliberations of the Conven-
ton that adopted the general Constitution. Aud
II Is this subject that has ever been REGARDED With
the deepe-, anxiety by all who are sincerely de
slroHs OF the permanency OF our Unon. The
Father of his Country, in his last affecting aud
solemn appeal TO his fellow ciuzens. deprecated
a the cal tnitous event. the geographical d-
visions which it might produce The Conven
ton wisely left To- the several States the lower
not necessary 20 the plan OF Union which il de
visel. and As one with which the General Gov
eminent could not be invested without planting
the -eeis OF destruction There let it remain un
disturbed by any uuhtllowei hand
Sir, | am not in the habit of speaking lightly
Of the possibility OF dissolving this happy Union.
The Senate knows that ! deprecate allu-ion. on
ordinary occasions, 10 that dreadful ev' mt. he
country will testify that. if there be an, thing n
tine history OF my public career worthy OF recoi
lection. il Is the truth and sincerity of my ardent
devotion TO Its lasting preservation But We
should be ftlSe 10 our allegiance Ia il If we did
not discriminate between the imtril airy nd re !
dangers by which we my be s. alel Abo
huun should no longer he regarded a. an imagi
nary danger. The Aholitiouists. LET me suppose,
succeeded in their present aim Of uniting the IN
hnbtlnts Of the fiee States rs one man. against
the inhahitants Of the slave States. Union on
one side will beget Union oil the other. And
this process of reciprocal consolidation VIII be
attended with all the violent ptejudices. EN-
Uttered and applicable animosities. which ever
degraded or depraved human nature
\ virtual dissolution o. tie Union will have
taken place while the forms Of its existence re
main. The most valuable element OF Union,
mutual kindness, the feelings OF sympathy and
friternai bonds, which now happily unite Us, will
l4xp bppn pNffIouf-hpf forqNqr flHp spcfi.u
will stand in menacing hostile array against the
other. The collision Of opinion will quickly
be followed by the clash al arms. will not
attempt 10 describe the scenes which now lie hap
PITY concealed from our view. AbOiiioniSi,
themselves would shrink back IN diSmay aud hor-
ror at the contemplation 0t desolated fields. con
Migrated cities, murdered inhabitants. and the
overthrow Of the flirest fabric OF human gov
erumens that ever rose to animate the hopes oi
civilized man Nor should these Abolitionist,
hitter themselves thar. if they can succeed in
their object OF uniting the people OF the fee
States. they will euter the contest with a mum
Der in superiority that must insure victory.
All history and experience prove the haziri
and uncertainty OF war. Aud We are admon
ished by Holy Writ that the race is not to tn,
swift nor the battle TO the strong But if thel
were TO conquer, whom would they conquer? 4
foreign fce-One who had insulted our flag, in
Nautd our SNOItS anu ldtu our Country WASTE
No. sir II would be "a conquest without laurel-
without glory self, Il suicidal conquest,
conquest of brothers over brothers, achieved D.,
one over another portion of the descendants o
common ancestors. Who, n0bly ~pledging thet
fortunes and their sacred honors, had fought an,
bled. side by side. in many i hard fought battle
on land aud on ocean. secured our country from
the British crown, and established our nationa
independence
~ .I.I.4.... II IL - 80 -
time, accused by their Northern brethren witt
displaying too much raslness and sensibility tc
the operations and proceedings OF Abolitionists
But before they can be Judged. there should h
a reversal of conditions. Let me suppose tina
the people OF the slave States were 10 form so
cIeties. subsidize presses. make large pecuniar'
contributions, send forth, numerous missionarie;
throughout all their own borders and enter into
Vaccinations to burn the beautiful capitals. de
stroy their productive manufactures and sinh
into the ocean the gallant ships OF the North
ern States. Would these incendiary proceedin q
be regarded ~ neighboily and friendly and con
sistent with the iraternal sentiments which shoult
ever be cherished hv one portion of the Unioi
toward another2 Would they excite no emo
tom occasion no manifestations OF dissaiislac
tom nor leid to any acts OF ret1liatory violence
But the supposed case falls far shout of the actua
one in the most essential circumstance. Ia u,
Contingency fthlu these flpiillc. IN lflficlnfip
aud ships rise In rebellion and massacre the i'm
habitants Of the Northern States.
am. Mr.. President. no friend Of slavery. Tn,
Scarcher of all hearts knows that ever, pulsa
tion of mine beats high and strong in the caus,
OF civil liberty. Wherever il is safe and pracii
ctblc. | desire 10 see every portion of the human
ftinily ia the euiot ment OF IL. But J prefer IA,
liberty 81 my own race to that OF any other race
The liberty of the descendants Of Africa ia th,
United States j. Incompatible with the safety and
Liberty OF the European descendants THEFT
slavery forms an exception resulting from d
stern and inexorahle necessitl-to the genera
liberty in the United States We did not or.gi
nate, nor are We responsible for this necessity
Their liberty, n IL were possible. could only be
established ~ violating The incoutestibie power.
OF the States. and of sub,erting the Union Aud
beneath the ruins OF The Union would he buried
SCOOTER or later, the liberty OF both races.
Bat il one dark spot exists on our political
horizon. j. il not obscufed by The lr ght aud eff
iulgeut and cheering light that beams all around
u WIS ever "A people before 30 blessed a. WI
are. IL true to ourse'yesl Did ever any other
nation couttin within It's bosom - many eie
ments ct prosperity. ct greatness and OF glors I
Our only real danger lies ahead, conspicuous,
elevated, and visible IL was clearly dlsoernej
at the commencement. and distinctly seen
throughout cur whole career. Shall We ~wantunly
run upnn u. ana destroy all the glorious antieI
pations ct the high destiny that awaits u.s. |
beseech the Ah0ltionists themselves solemnly
Ia pause Ia their mad AMI fatal course. Amid.t
the infinite variety OF objects OF humanity aud
bene,olence which invite ia, employment OF
their energies. let them select some one more
harmless. that noes not threaten To deluge ouI
country IN blood.
| call upon that small portion Of the clergy
which ht~ lent itself 10 these Mild and ruinous
schemes. not 20 forget the holy nature OF ths
Dvine mission ct the Founder OF our Religion
AID to profit bs His peaceful example. | eutrei'
thit poftion OF INV country women who have
given their coantenance TO Abolition. to remem
Der thar they are ever most loved and hOuored
when moving In Their own appropriate and de
lighttui sphere and TO reflect that the ink which
the, shed 100 subscribing with thcir fair hands IA
Abolition petitions may nrove but the prelude {,
toe shedding of the blood Of their brethren
allure ali the inhabitants u the free States 20 re
buke AMI dlscountenance. by their own opiuiops
aud their example. measures which must newt
ably lead to ne mnst ctlamitous consequences
Aud let us III. As country men. a. friends and nj.
brothers. cherish IN uuiading memory the mo,tc
which bore cur ancestors uiumphautly through
al the trials Of the Revolution. and VI a lhercsl "a
1t vii conduoi their ~p1slerit, through al thai
nav Va the dispcns,tious ct Providence. be- 20
scrN ell tor them