Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-13
TuR oArH OF OFFICE.
speech OF Senator Bayard OF Della
ware. in the United states senate.
January 20. 1851


upon the rule adopted Yesterday BY the Senate. |
stated 70 the body having excl 1sive jurisdiction
over the subject / should hold myself bound by
is action, aud that but one alternative remained.
II the rule vas adopted: either 20 comply With
the decision OF relinquish my seat in the Senate
Subsequent reflection has CONVINCED me THAI /
was partially ia error. Another course IS open:
to submit TO the decision aud resign
The gravest consideration has induced me TO
pursue this latter course; and, in a brief period.
my connection with this body. which has lasted
nearly thirteen years, will cease
desire 70 assign the reasons which control nv
action Without any decision upon the cops;tu
tiOnal validity Of the act OF July. 1862, all the
members Of TIE senate aud House TO whom il
applied belonging TO the political party with
which | have acted have voluntarily ken the
oath prescribed by that act. deeming doubtless.
that the constitutional questions involved we're OF
less moment and the precedent made less danger
Gus than they seemed TO my mind. could not
but reflect that the unanimous action of those
with whom | coincide in general political views,
might give cause even TO men unbiased hy the
perverting influences of political or personal hos
tllity who do not know the personally, To doubt,
if not 10 believe that declined TO take the oath
for reasons other than the considerations that, in
nv judgment. il was dangerous Innovation upon
Fundamental principles of the Consultation.
As believed that the law had been passed
without a tull discussion. add as a decision on its
validity by the proper tribunal had been waived
at the specia session when | was not present |
was content 10 leave others 10 their own action
and govern mine by my conviction OF duty. The
decision now, however, has Oeen luGicialy made,
after hearing my objections the act and the
oath il imposes. aud that decision. though in NV
belief dangerous precedent, il obligatory to the
extent OF taking the oath. as | have already
held the seat for nearly year since ny re
election
Sir, admit that cove, the appreciation of
the good, the wise and the rejecting. and would
not willingly subject myself to their censure or TO
reasonable suspicion To my motives of action /:
though am utterly Indifferent to those calumni
Gus. groundIess and vindictive attacks to which
every man ia public life. even IN less excited
times. is subjected by personal malevoence or
political hostility But though desire such ap
probation. | have never made either opinion or
popularity nv standard OF action but my own
sense OF right and duty; and | owe a respect to
nv sincere convictions of public duty which
will never sacrifice. Many of you aware that
before civil war commenced | expressed fully my
views as 10 the course OF action which | thought
the welfare and prosperity OF the whole country
required after the secession OF seven States.
Those views differed from the course pursued
subsequently by the Administration, and its
course approved by majority of Congress,
and indeed, by the people at large, after their
passions had become excited by actual war
told YOU then that | did not consider seces
sion constitutional or reserved right OF the
States but act of revolution; but revolution
by organized communties-not rebellion in the
modern sense of the word. but only in its old
Roman sense-the revolt OF a people. L told
you also. that in my Judgment, Cancellation, and
the removal of real even apprehended griev-
ances or dangers, and not coercion by arms. was.
in such crisis, the true policy of the statesman
and that the trainers of the Constitution had
wisely left such n state of affairs without any pro
vision one of those mortal feuds" which, in
the language of Hamilton, when they happen.
commonly amount 10 revolutions and dlsmember.
ments OF empire"
| admitted that secession was "A breach of the
compact by which the Federal Government was
established and that it rested with the United
States to determine whether they would and
could. by war. compel the seeding States to
repair the breach. or whether the act by which
they severed their political relations with Us
should be assented to. and a peaceful separation
permitted. in.the hope that past memories and
the ties of blood and marriage. with continued
commercial intercourse might in few years re
store those seven States TO the Union; similar in
huenceS having ut the origin of the Government,
induced North Carolina and Rhode Island. after
years delay, to become members OF the Union.
though the former had IN the first instance
jected the Constitution and the latter had refused
TO be represented in the Convention
] may be pardoned here for quoting a short
extract from speech made ON the condition
of the country" in March. 1851 as Illustrative
of my Opinions before the sword had been
drawn:
~ GU NAV attempt by 10 keep the States
unitei-t0 restore the Union-but the attempt
will be futile Cancellation aud concession may
reunite Us never, The power may be ex
ercised for the purpose OF punishment aud ven
gelnce Ii NAV be exercised il YOU propose to
conquer the secedins States and reduce the M
tion into consolidated nation but if your in
tention be To maintain the Government which
YOUR ancestors toanded-that Is. A common Gov
eminent over separate. independent communi
ties-war can never effect such an intention"
| preferred then peaceful separation TO civil
as the lesser evil. but the Administration and
the dominant party decided To resort To an ct
forcement of the laws by the coercion of arms
AS against an Instruction Civil war has since
ragged. and its events and consequences have
streng henel my conviction that the prosperity OF
my country and the happiness and morals of the
people cannot be promoted by Its continuance
To these views an overw lining majority oil CoH
gress l. opposed. and so far rs the elections o
the past year can be accepted evidence of pub
lie sentiment. that majority Is sustained 10y tn,
people. IL tudt new tluectiOh> nave Aficei
IN the progress of war a. TO IT. mode OF conduc
aud object. and have produced conflict OF opinion
among the people
But on the question Of peace-even by tempo
rary separation if essea'ial-the Democratic part
with which have been connected Is divided, anC
many Of It's leading and most influential adherent
indulge in the visionary idea that common
government, based on 1.-The consent of the gov
erned.' over separate political communities, Will
diversified habits manners. customs aud lnstitu
tons can be restored ard maintained by TIT
sword. without the Abandonment of Fedora
and It's conversion into ala imperial and central
lied government 81 thought not the Presiden
OF the United States the Secretary of State Of
the l0ih OF April. 1861. before war had begun
and TO nv mind such ali idea is deluson and
mere chimera.
have also the fixed opinion and belief tina
the lite of nttion depends upon the preserva
ton of ITS liberties. ami not upon the extent o
Its dominion Standing. therefore almost alOn'
IN this body. | have lost the hope that en-
longer be Of service To my country nv State
Never an ambitious man. the passion OF ambition
has with the advance of life 50 diminished tha
| pefer the repose OF private life to the i'm
FILTERED contests of The political arena in thes,
tempe>tuous times.
1 have lived 10 see the elective franchise trod
den under foot in my native State by the iroI
heel OF the soldier. and "Orler No. %, not ID,
people of Delaware, represented in one Hall q
Congress have lived Ca see Der citizens tori
from their homes anu separated from their fami-
lies on the warrant 81 self->tylc detective
wlthout anS charge expressed on Its face, an,