Year: 1860

The following extract from Crittenden's great
Union Speech delivered at meeting of Opposi
ton leaders held in Washington few weeks ago,
is furnished the ST. Louis Erening Neos, by the
editor, who was present at the meeting:


"But. looking away from this contest and a.
broad over the country, we find much in the con-
dition of the public mind to distress every true
patriot | confess that never in my life before
did have so much anxiety for the fate of our
Government.


have never believed it possible that could
bring my mind and heart to the deliberate pur-
pose of pulling down this great fabric. do not
think that any one of us has yet reached that
point Though we shonld think so, am con
vnced that when came to the attempt we
should turn in horror from the work


For-thnk of it-what is the deed we propose
1t is too vast for comprehension. If we could
overturn the Allegheny mountains, it would
shake all the land as by an earthquake. Bnt to
overthrow this Government, it would he noun
tains upon mountains faling-it would send
shock through the civilized world No calami-
ty that ever fell upon the nations of the earth
would spread such horror among men as the fall
ling ruins of this Republic


Why, sirs, when the Roman empire fell, it was
after centuries of vice had sapped its strength,
and prepared the world for its fate. Corruption
had undermined its foundations. 1t sunk slowly,
and the process OF dissolution was visible Tor
generations before it fell. But when it went
down at last, it plunged the world in the dark
ness of barblrism for ages!


| cannot believe that we are on the verge Of
such mighty calamity for this great nation,
now in its youth and vigOr. | trust, ave, and
believe that God in His providence will watch
over and preserve my country. Bat for this PROV
dence, it would have fallen long since. There
has been evil enough to destroy anything. 1t is
always springing up. The world would have
been more than filled with it, but it has been
overrulrd and turned to good And so it will be.
Providence knows how TO do it. Look abroad,
and see what, under Gods providence, this nation
has grown to be. From small people, it has
suddenly become the mightcst power in the
world. Why, sirs, since its citizen OF to-day has
been growing six feet in hight, the nation has
grown from its nsignifcance to n stature that is
absolutely fearful. Was ever the like seen upon
the earth? Was ever people so blessed, so
prosperous, so happy Happy, save in one thing,
and that an evil that need not be at all. There
is an earnest complaint of aggression, of threats
of insurrection, on the borders Of some of our
States and John Brown has shown that this is
no unreal grievance. And whence does it come
We find certain deluded people in the Northern
States who indulge in meanings over slavery,
and intcrsperse their lamentations with psalms
and prayers, and appeals to their consciences
which are hurt, they say, by our sins. What fol-
ly! Do not these people know that the law does
not hold them to answer for our sins


These deluded people are making much mis-
chief by their conduct. But let us remember
that there will always be mischief makers found
in every country. Let us hope that this delusion
will be temporary-will pass away-and sound
and fraernal spirit return. Why may it not?
1t existed for fifty years Let us strive to have
it restored Let lis try to make our Northern
brethren love us again. To this end, let US be
natient and forbearng Let us indulge in no
criminatons--no harsh lapgpagc,Ypl cannot be-
lieve that the great hears Of the people, North
and South, has np9n it the gnily stain of treach-
cry 10 this pionsi panppt believe that there is
at thsbiNorih noloyegof this great Government
for which their fathers and our fathers fought,
And i hail The recent great meetings which have
been hejd thereas signals of returning love for
us. Let as receive it with grateful spirit
Let us encourage it, and We will yet find that
the earnest and faithful spirit of our Northern
brothers will be surest protection, our defense
against all aggression, and our comfort in the
Union"


FAcr.-Two things can never be successfully