The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-04-20
The Constitution the Life Of the
Nation. T-9IH7tY T-aI
SPEECH By HON. s. 5. cox.

The following is the concluding portion
If the speech delivered in Congressby Hon
:. :. Cox of Ohio, on the expulsion of Mr..
Iong. 1t is an able yindication of the prin7
ciples and policy of the Democratic party,
Mr.. Julian. ask the gentleman wheth.
er If the salvation of the nations life re
quired the violation of the letter of the
Constitution, the gentlemen would be will
ing IL save the life OF the nation at that
COST .-+'--.''-. .-.- --'
Mr. con. regard it as utterly impos-
sible, under God, ever to save the life of
the nation by tearing out its vitals-its
heart and brain. The constitution ia the
frame in which the Government is enshrin-
Ell. know no other Government except
that embodied in the Constitution. This
is the Government which you are sworn to-
support; not sworn to support, sir, in asesr !
tain emergency; not sworn to destroy If
necessary, 10 save the life of the country,
but Internationally to support at all times
and in all places as if that life We're bound
m with it forever You have taken upon
your soul the oath to sustain that Constitu
ton Now you say on certain conditions
You would break your oath! What is moral
treason? What is moral perjury?' I do
not charge these upon the gentleman; but
/ beg him to reconsider and call back his
words.
Mr.. JULIAN, Will the gentlemen yield
to me right herci
Mr.. COX. will if the gentleman thinks
I have done hun injustice.
Mr.. JULIAN. | have taken that Oaih,
and have asserted publicly that there is
no necessity in the world for violating it.. =
But the gentleman has not answered the
interrogatory which propounded to him.
Iwish him TO state explicitly whether, II
the life of the nation could only be saved
by violation of the Constitution, he would
be willing to save it in that way, Laugh
ter on the Republican side Of the House,
Mr.. COX will answer the question. 1
ain used to laughter from that side OF the
House 1t does not distract me, for laugh
ter is not logic.
What is the life of the nation, sir, OF
which W" hear so much? know no other
life Of the nation except that incarnate IN
the written Constitution, which protects
property, person, home, conscience, liberty,
and life. Take away these, and there is no
nation. Society is stagnant and dead. Inc
gentleman regards liberty as the life OF the
nation-a sort of i'll lefned liberty for
black and white, suppose. regard the
Constitution as the embodime 1t of consti-
tutional freedom in this country, the very
body life and sJul of the Union, That is
the Constitution of the United States.-
When you strike that down you strike down
the life of the nation. Therefore we, on
this side, have determined, in order to save
the life of the Government, to save the
Constitution from destruction.
Mr.. JULIAN. Will the gentleman allow
me to ask him another question?
Mr. COX. If the gentleman is not fully
answered will say this, THAT UNDER NO
CICCUESrANCEs CONCEIVABLE By THE HU-
IAN MIND WOULD EVER. VIOLATE THAT
CONSTITUTION FOR ANY PURPOSE. Cries of
That's it That's it! p from the Demo
cratic side of the House. As Judge Thorn
~ ha, sand, " | would cling to it as the bond
Of unity in the past, as the only practical
hond Of union in the future; the only land
uttcd above the waters. on which the ark OF
;he nion can be moored. From that ark
alone will 20 out the dove, blessed OF the
Spirit, which shall return bringing In its
mouth the olive branch OF peace. 10
clmpasS its destruction As a probable or
possible necessity, is the very gospel OF
anarchy, the philosophy of dissolution. +"
Mr.. JULIAN. | want to ask the gen.
iIeman question. .s.,
Several members on the Democratic side
otlected. -
Mr.. COX. If there be any man IN the
Chamber who holds or utters any other sem
,ment in reference 10 the Constitution and
MS oath than this which | have expressed
say to him that language has NO term OF re
proaCh, aud the mind no idea of detestation,
adequate to express the mortal leprosy and
treason cOuchcd in his language and cling
ingto his soul. | will not designate such
utteranceS by any harsher language in apar-
limcntary body. zsal..z-.sa-
When interrupted by the member from
Indiana was about to goa little furtherin
answer 10 what the Speaker said in refer
cnrr to the Democracy of 0hios Mr.. Speak
or. | took part in the campaign of last
wear. as said. not because | approved Of
tie peculiar peace notions ofmy former COL
laaGrc. Ii was well known In Ohio that my
votes here didnot always coincide with his,
d and that nv sentiments did not agree with
g MS altogether; but when by an arbitrary
arrest, without air.trial. in defiance ofthe
s. Constitution, in defiance of law passed by
81 ourselves. in defiance OF English and Amer
81 lean traditions, petitions and of right, he
q vas arrested and cxiIed the Democracy of
IS Ohio raised an issue in favor of fair trial,
q free speech. the ,mmunities of personal free
q dom. and an honest and lawful administra-
rjon of public affairs. That our only ysissue,
/ took ground everywhere in favor Of The
liberty of the citizens and the integrity Of
tbc Constitution Disagreeing always with
the peculiar teriets held by him In relation
TO coersion, I held that he had the same
4 right to speak for peace as the soaist 10