Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-02-06


unite them 10 rebellion. He solemnly deolar-
ed this purpose, through his diplomatic agents,
to the civilized nations of Europe. Congress
unanimously reiterated this pledge 10 the Crit
tenden resolutions of July, 1861, and affirmed
that this war should not be conducted "in O
spirit Of oppression, nor for any purpose Of COL
quest or subjugation, nor for the purpose
Of overthroving or interfering with the
rights or established institutions Of the
States. The President approved by his Gig.
nature this solemn compact thus made with the
loyal people Of this country and with the world.
This compact, based upon the spirit of the Con-
stilution, was everywhere hailed with Joy and
approval. Il was adopted and ratified by all 10y
al people and by oil political parties IL was the
text and universal agreement by which all of US
hold our seats in this House. In 1t the friends
OF the Constitution and the Union saw the only
hope for their delyerance. By virtue ofits bright
promite our brothers and sons ruahed to battle,
and our arms were everywhere triumphant. Our
nag vas hailed with Joy and patriotic greeting
everywhere thatit was advanced In the insur.
gent territory. Deserters without number from
the waveriDg ranks of rebellion, aocked t. our
standarca. The echOiDg voice OF reunion and
peace gladdoned all hearts. The leaders of the
rebellion were quaklng with feHr and dread Of
sle majestic tread OF constitutional power.
There remained TO DO struck but single blow,
which was impending over the rebel Capital.
olF, what as changed oil this scene and
oDscFed th, hattering pt0spect2 What has
crushed out the lingering and hopeful attach
mont ot Southern hearts TO the flag of our Union
and driven them In despair TO the standard of
reoelllon2 What has paraly the anna of that
gallant and victorious host Of Union soldiers vho
are maLehalled in the breach of this deadly con.
metz What has dlsgusted and estraDged the
friendly feelings OF the people who sympathized
Wlsh ulat the outset Of this rebelOni And to the
poiRt-What is il, sir, that has divided the sen-
ument and feelings Ol the loyal Northern PEG
Plef 10 lt the magic power attributed to JEFF
ierson Davis, by the gentleman from Mus
KingumY No. All this lamen liable change
la the natural and inexorable conseouerce
of breach UC public faith by the servants
OF this people. Your President has vic.
lated all these most sacred pledges. Your
Congress has torn mp and trampled un.
der loot the solemn compact thus made
with the people and with the world. Al
majority OF both branches of this General AS
sembly at the last eesson stifed snd repudi.
ated the very covenant by vitae of which they
bold their eeats on this floor. When the Crit
tenden resoluto1e were presented for afirms-
tion by this House, they amothered them on |
the table, and refused them a hearing, Sir, |
IL there 10 any virtue superior TO all others, il |
ia fidelity Good faith is an essential element |
in the conduct OF Governments and public m On.
MGIG fdes destroys all confidence in those who
practice it. As Tor myself and those acting
with me-, lake this occasion TO say we have at
all times, both in al out OF this General As
sembly, sustained and fulfilled, in letter and
spirit, all the terms of this national agree
moD'. We still cling to it's principles ss the
ouly hope Of public safety and reunion OF the
States. 10 was known by everybody at the
ontiet that unity of purplse in the prosecution
OF this war could only be secured on the princi-
ples OF the Constitution as embodied in that
sovenant. 1t was well known that the Demo
cratic and conservative people would never
join hands with the radical and janatical revo-
lutonists of this country, who are ready to tear
I doan snd deetroy the whole fabric of constit1-
tioDsl government, and bring chaos aud ruin
on the whole white population, in the mad pur-
suit of a single and fatal purpose to uproot
the foundations of Southern society, and let
loose four millions of African vagabonds
among us. And yet, sir, Withis the laas few
months all disguise has been thrown of, and
the bidding of these madmen seems to have
become the only rule Of public action.
You desire the unity OF Northern people
All of us, trust, desire is for the sake of the
union Of the States. And how 90 you seek TO
secure it 2 By conciliation and good
faith2 By respecting the sentiments and
,feelings Of your political opponents, and
a faithful adherence to tho Constitution
and the laws2 No, sir. By debating terms
inspired by your own passions, which you know
to be obnoxiOus to toem, and enforcing unity
with bsyOnets and bastiles. We are required
90 ;pIn
constitutional birth.rights to the procrustean
standard of abolition rebellion The only
terms you offer, are the unconditional surren-
der of our manhood, our principles and our lib.
ertea. TO the uncircumscfibei and unreatrained
will OF your imperial dctaton.
Sir, there can be no unity on such terms. He
who expects it, is Ignorant Of the simplest rudi-
ments Of human nature. There has been in
augurated a new revolution against tho Gov
ernment, by u violent overthrow of its laws,
What more has been done by Davis and his
associates in rebelliOn2 1t ia attempted to
force the loyal people OF this country to a
choice between these two revolutions But,
sir, believe | speak the voice OF that
people, when | say we will not accent
the conditions. We will stand upon the
Constitution OF our fathers and defend 1t
against all its enemies, from whatever quarter
they may Come-Whtther from the North or
the South. We have already furnished muscle
and means for the great struggle against armed
rebellion, and we will oppose these usurpatione
with the no less potent powers of peaceful con-
st;tutionel remedies. While We insist that the
Administration shall not lay sacrilig gious hands
upon our altars, We will support it in the full
exercise of all It's constitutional functions.
And, sir, with the full consciousness b! earnest
desire to fulfill and perform these, our highest
and most sacred duties, to ourselves and pos
terity, we will sink, if sink We must, with con.
sciences uustained, and with all the green
memories OF the blessings aud beauties Of the
glorious pasAapOn US, to that night of chaos and
misery which must forever enshroud the visions
of mortality.
| Ms. Speaker, | beseech and implofe the
friends of this Administration, whose voices
alone will arrest its attention, TO interpose
their counsels against the madness of this hour.
Bring it back to the spirit and the principles Of
the covenants OF which l have spoken, and al
will be well. Bntif this NAL. admlnstrA ton
this triAlng with the rights, the feelings and
passions OF al alarmed and excited people, is
to continue, we know not the day or the hour
when our homes may be wrapt In flames and
our hearIhstones crimsoned by fraternal strife;
and then, sir, all life's treasures will perish
and the star of American liberty will 20 dowI
in this great sea Of blood. sos
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