Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-02-01

was, perhaps the least free of any of them. They
all maintained their free Constitutions until the sys
tenn of standing armies was Established on the Con-
tnent. Then, one after another, they became abso-
lute and liberty ceased to exist on the Continent of
Europe forever, except among the mountains of
Switzerland. England, saved by her insular situa-
ton from the necessity of keeping standing army,
not only retained her ancient liberties but extended
them. Her monarchy has become more and more
limited until since the revolution of 1888 the Dem
oc attic branch Of her government, the House of
Commons, has become supreme in the State. If the
Continent Of America should be divided into two or
more hostile and Independent powers, what guar
antee have we that the same condition of things
will not obtain that have obtained the Continent
of Europea None whatever! Indeed as Mr.. Boyce
says "the events of the last three years prove
clusively that such will be the Case" But l will
not continue the argument any further this point.
1t has already been exhausted by Mr.. Boyce
most cordially endorse every part OF his letter, and
here in my place, as a membal OF this House, re-
turn linn my thanks for having written it. But even
if there was no danger to liberty from the act of sep
aaton, it would be well enough 4inquire if it were
practicable. Now that much Of the i'll feeling be-
tween the two sections has expended itself in war,
would it not be we'll enough for US to investigate
this question? When we take view of the country
which once composed the United States, it is diff
cult 10 resist the conviction that intended it
could never be divided in the way in which it is now
being attempted. Nature certainly never intended
that the mighty Mississippi and its tributaries should
water or drain but one nation. Close the Mississ-
ippi to the Northwes States by transferring its
month to another nation, and they become the most
completely Iandocked country of any considerable
dimrnsions in the world.
1t is not to be supposed for a moment that the
people of that section would ever consent, under
any circumstances, to any such transfer In the
very act Of giving such consent they would be sign
ing their own death warrant. It is useless for to
promise them the free navigation Of that river
They would reply: You can give US no stronger
guarantee than treaty stipulation and like all
treaties it will be liable to be violated abrogated
whenever the party making it shall Of its own mere
volition choose to do so. And though We may have
particular reason to doubt your good faith, yet
nothing can ever induce US to place ourselves in
your power And besides, we have not forgotten
how many wars have been produced in Europe by
the violation of Just such treaties especially of those
relating to the navigation OF the Scheldt."
If nay premises correct, Mr.. Speaker, this
country can never be divided so as to separate the
Northwestern States from the Gulf States without
reversing memorable law of nature. The only
hope that have seen of success in this strug
gle, was that the Northwestern States might be in.
duced to join our Coniederacy. The manner in
which those States voted in the late Presidential
election has dspelled that hope forever and in my
humble judgment has sealed the fate of this Confed
eracy Why, then should this struggle be continued
Why not make peace at once upon the basis of re-
| Cancellation? I am met here by declaration on
the part of some that they would prefer humiliation
to reconciliation with the government of the Uuited
States. reply to this class of men by saying that
| if they were sincere, they would at once 60 the
| 'front.'" where they would stand at least some
chance O. meeting with the humiliation which they
profess to desire. Yet Mr. Speaker, it is an obser.
vab'e fact that few of them ever go there.
! There is another class of men who say that they
would have objection 20 reconciliation if it were
! possible They say that there has been so much
strife and bloodshed between the two sections that
;; reconciliation is impossible In this, however, they
i are in my opinion greatly mistaken. All history
: refutes this idea. There was the case of England
and Scotland, which in some respects similar to
. ours Nature never intended that the Island of
Great Britain should comprise more than one na-
ton. Yet for many centuries it was divided into
the two Kingdoms of Englandand Scotland. The his.
tory of these two countries dnring the period of
their separation is history of constant wars be-
tween them. Even during the short periods in
which peace was said to exist between them by
virtue of evanescent treaties there was a constant
warfare along the borders, crrried on between the
Northern Barons of England, and the rowing despe
radoes of Scotland, sometimes known as the "Moss
, troopers of the Border" Then, there was the
strongest possible animosty between the two ma
tons. They regarded each other as natural enc
mics. Scotland was the constant ally of France
who was the natural enemy Of England At length
they fell to the inheritance of the same monarch
and this led to union between the two countries
The chief argument urged at the time of the nego
tiations was that the union would lay the POUNDS
ton of lasting peace; and such in fact was thu
result THE reconciliation complete. No wa,
has since occurred growing out of anmositles be
tween the two peoples. Scotland at once started
upon a new career of prosperity and glory. sh,
rose above the standard of her former self. He
people, from being one Of the most turbulent hav,
become one of the most quiet and refined, as vel
as one Of The most contented and happy in the world
There too, Mr. Speaker, was the great civil strife il
England between the two great par les known a
the "Cavaliers" and the Roundhsads." 1t con
tnued for number of years until having fongh
out their difficulties, reconciliation took place =
Charles the II was restored by union Of the tw
parties. James the III was afterwards expelled anf
William and Mary called to the throne by unto,
| of the two parties. I might mention other case
which occur in history, but it i, unnecessary. Re
Cancellation is much easier in our case than it wa
IN theirs Here, there is no feeling between tn
| parties growing out of religious differences We hay
the same common origin, speak the same language
profess the Protestant religion, have the same laws
the same literature, and with q single exception tn
same institutions. What then, is there to rende
reconciliation impossible in our case? Nothing tha
can see. In fact l see much to render the tas
easy. if it should ever be undertaken by the State
who ar. the only parties that can effect any thing
am perfectly satisfied that large majority of t6
Southern people are anxious for it, Peace ono
established on this basis will be permanent; it ca
In my opinion be permanent on no other. WI,
then, longer delay2 have shown that if this Wa
70 De continued the institution of slavery will
destroyed If the States were all to move immed
ately the institution might yet be saved or at leas
80 much of it MS yet remains 1t can never be abo
'shed BY the United States government, except b
an amendment to the Constitution, which require
the assent of threefourths of the States. It mus
be apparent, therefore, that such an amendmer
might be prevented by speedy action on our part
!, therefore, hope that the resolutions will
I adopted. and that the Committee will bring in