Year: 1861

18th oil February, on the Union Resolutions


Mr. HARRIS said he intended to make few
desultory remarks in discharge of the duty he
owed to himself and his constituents. The
country was unquestionably in danger, and
California was called upon to speak her senti-
ments upon the crisis. There could be no
dorbt that there was disease in the body
polite, and the only question was how they
could cure it-how they should preserve for
posterity the blessings they now enjoyed. 1t
was evident that there was something wrong
that there were sectional divisions in the coun-
try at variance with the genius aud perpetuity
of their Institutions. Many years ago the Qua
kers of Pennsylvania petilioned for the abro
cation Of slavery. They were a peaceful,
quiet people, and it was matter of conscience
with them. Afterwards the subject was taken
up by Abolition societies who loaded the la
bles of members of Congress with their petit
tions. Since that time great party had been
growing up in the country on the question of
slavery elimination and recrimination had
taken place between the \ orth and the South,
and so had brought about the present state of
things. The first step towards the dissolution
of the Union was division of the church,
which struck deep blow al the moral sense
Of the religious community of the South. The
subject of slavery was not very important i'll
itself. 1t was matter entirely regulated by
climate, soil and production. Yet, although
not great issue, it had given rise to partisan
feelings which had virtually divided the Uni
on. Another ground of complaint by the
South was that the Republican party had
elected a President who entertained views an
tagonstc to some of the institutions of the
South, and who was in fact in favor of the
gradual extinction of slavery. Mr.. Lincoln was
elected by section virtually be was not vo-
ted for in fifteen States, and therefore he could
never be, virtually, the President of the Uni
ted States, nasmuch as he did not represent
any great principle Of national policy. Chief
Justice Shaw declared that the action of
Massachusetts in relation to the Fugitive
Slave Law was one of war and aggression
Other Northern States having followed her
example, there were therefore twelve States in
open rebellion against the Government. How
then could it be expected that the South would
submit to the Constitution 1t was proposed
by some of the resolutions before the House
that the very people of the North who had
thus trampled on the Constitution, should arm
themselves to protect the Constitution. They
were to be the men to coerce the Southern
States The gentleman from San Francisco


fMr CampbelD had said that Massachusetts
had passed the Personal Liberty Bill as re-


taliatory measure against South Carolina for
imprisoning her negroes South Carolina did
so as a measure necessary for her defense, and
she had the right to do it. That gentleman
had not mentioned the fact that Illinois and
other Northern States had passed laws equally
rigorous against negroes. Tie question now
for consideration was not whether the Govern
ment had the power to enforce its own law,
but whether it was prudent to do it in the
present contingency. He thought it was not,
because a Government to rule free people
must rule in justice, and that justice should 60
before its power. 1t was proposed in some Of
the resolutions that the power should go first.
He did not believe that the Union would be
dissolved. He believed that the present Liber
ty Bills would all be repealed, and when the
cause Of the disease was removed the patient
would recover But if that was not done-if
the slavehodng States could not remain in
the Union on terms of perfect equality-they
would not remain at all. de did not fear a
dissolution, however, because he believed the
North would come to the rescue, and that an
adjustment would be made by the Northern and
the conservative States-the Government would
extend its protection over every portion of the
Union, and the laws would be obeyed. There
could be no dissolution. The South had not
seeded They had attempted to revolutionize,
and were in open rebellion against the Govern
ment. They should have remained on the floor
OI tOD9IeSS III oIueI " OUtdtu tHOSc T'SHtS
which they would vanly try to get out of the
Union If the South should refuse all efforts
at concillation she herself would be the suffer
er. Some gentleman had said the revenue
could be collected but there was nothing
gained by collecting the revenue if they could
not command the allegience Of the people. A
fair and amicable adjustment Of the difficulties
must be had None but mailman would
recommend war of coercion which would bring
desolalion both on North and South If, at the
time of the adoption of the Constitution, SINH
lar aggressions to those of recent times had
been instituted by the Northern States, not
one man from the slaveholding States would
have signed that instrument. 1t was evident,
therefore, that it was intended TO last to all
time That could not be accomplished by con-
cession. He found sentiments in the resolutions
of the majority Of the Committee in which he
could not CONCUR. Every principle OF nation
ality and brotherhood should induce the people
of all the States to harmonic rather than to
resort to the sword In the Union they had
the highest hopes, for by it alone could they
transmit to posterity the blessing they them
r.-a-