The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-04-10
nolitital.
SPEECH OF
MIR. FAREWELL OF KNOX,

In THE SENATE March 23d, on the Resolves
relating to National Affairs. o..
Mn. FARwELL said:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: do not purpose to make
asset speech" IN these resolves. But think
that in n crisis of our country like the pres
ent, every citizen should have his opinions
and if he hopes that they can be of any use
to others, if he believes that they will tend to
strengthen the government and induce any
one citizen to come up to its support in this
trying hour, he should be free to express
those sentiments. do not rise, sir, to COM
bat the arguments Of any one, not to widen
any brcech which exists between the parties
of this country, not to make constitutional
plea one side or the other, but only. in my
plain way to give my views regarding the
causes which brought about the present un'
happy condition Of our country, and what
believe to be the duty of every citizen at
this time.
have drawn two simple resolves which
will read presently. have no desire to en-
barrass any action of Senators on this ques'
ton. | have drawn them simply because
they express my ideas respecting our duty
They are such as we ought to pass-sucl as
should meet tho cordial support OF every
truly loyal and patriotic man. They ar
such rs eUery man who is in favor of sustain.
ing the government and perpetuating the in
stitutions bequcathcd to us by our fathers,
could endorse and vote for.
|, sir, have no fault to find with. the rcso'
lutions now on the table. agree with every
word of them. The preamble says. "wc hail
with profound satisfaction the Proclamation
of Emancipation &C." give my cordial
adherence to that doctrine. But still there
may b, patriotic men. men who are ready to
do everything in their power to sustain the
government, who do not hail the Proclama.
ton with profound, satisfaction, who do not
believe it is calculated to bring the war to
speedy termination, nor even to any termin
alton at all. 1t is for this reason that | have
drawn the two resolves, short, simple and
not easily misunderstood, which 60 far
enough to commit every man who has the
elements of patriotism within him, to the
support of the government, in its measures
to put down the rebellion. Ii is not very
material what men think If they support the
government by their actions. ii they are will
ling to give men and monev to sustain it.
They may believe that one way is the long.
est or the shortest to close the war, and yet
if they are patriotic, they will aid the consti-
tutional authorities.
Nv resolutions are rs follows:
Rcsolred, That in the present crisis there
is no choice but to sustain the constituted
authorities or submit to armed traitors.
Resolred, That in order to put down the
rebellion, the people of Maine will sustain
the government Of the United States with
all tho men and means at their command.
Now. Mr., President have little sympathy
with those who are forever hnrping about
constitutional objections to certain measures
| think such men are not sound at heart.
do not propose to go into constitutional
argument at this time, bat will make Il
suggestion which l think illustrates the in
consistency of those who make so much out.
cry against violation of the constitution.
rccollect reading, when u boy, three large vol
umes of the size OF the Revised Statutes. by
Judge Story ON tho Constitution OF the Uni
ted States. The Constitution was formed !or
the protection Of the individual citizen, and
the Court stands as bulwark against il
trlnSgTteSIOUs Uti uCO w S'N t'iaN wv 'io'
believe the Constitution has any provisions
for the present crisis, Such state OF thing
was never dreamed of. And if you insist on a
literal Interpretation Of that instrument, the
country is as powerless to rescue itself, as the
infant in chains in the grasp Of giant.
The Constitution provides that Congress
shall pass no law which will give the com.
mcrce of one State, preference over tha,
of another. Will not thar clause literally
interpreted raise tho blockade we have cstab'
lishcd. By what right do we give the North.
ern ports preference over Southern. Have
not the ports Of Boston and New York been
favored at the expense Of Charleston and
Savannah? Have not the ono been enriched
and the other bcggarcd by our blockade!
WHY then is il not unconstitutional TO block.
ado? Why then is 1t not unconstitutional to
blockade the Southern ports?
Much has been said about the unconstitu-
tiouality OF freeing negroes. Why more SO
than to take the mule, the horse, or other
property of rebel? Twenty-Five years ago,
when John Quincy Adams introduced into
the Congress of the United States petition
purporting to be from slaves praying tha,
Congress would take measures for their relief,
flor which. by tho way, proposition was
urged that he should bo expelled j Mr.. Ad-