Year: 1860

stitution.


In the speech made by Mr.. Bell in the


Senate, on the 18th of March, 1858, on the
Lecompton Constitution bill, there occur
the following passages:


Issues betwecn the North and The South-es-


timating the ualue ofthe Union.


at is more than indicated-it is boldly
assumed by some gentlemen that the rejec-
tion of this measure will be regarded as a
decision that no more slave States are to be
admitted into the Union, and the conss-
quences which may follow such decision
are pointed to in no equivocal language
There is no gentleman here with whom l
differ as to the value of the union Of these


States, 10 whom do not accord honesty
and patriotism of purpose. There is SIM


ply between US difference in judgment as


to the true interest of this grea, country;
the true interest of the South as well as the


North, connected with the Union. When


my attention is invited TO the consideration


Of the advantages and blessings that may


follow disunion TO the South, l shun the
subject as one that is speculative only, and
prematurely brought forward. That is g


field of inquiry into which do not propose
now TO enter. Wien an issue is made;
when question does arise demanding such
an inquiry as that, shall be ready to enter
upon it, and 10 estimate the yalus of the
Union; but will not anticipate the occur
renee Of any such contingency. When the
North shall, by any deliberate act, deprive
the South of any fair, and just. and equal
participation in the benefits Of the Union
if, for example, the Territory now proposed
to be admitted into the Union as q State
had not been subject 10 an interdict Of slav-
cry for thirty years-if il were Territory
such as that lying west Of Arkansas, by
climate adapted to slave labor, and by pop
ulatiOn already slave Territory; and if, on
application ofsuch Territory for admission
into The Union as slave State, the power
ful North, without any Of The feelings and
ressntmsnts naturally growing out Of the
repeal Of the Missouri Compromise in re-
gard 10 Kansas, should deliberately an
nounce 10 the South, "you shall have no
more slave States" that would afford pre-
text with which the South might with some
assurance ofthe approval of the civilized
world and of postsrity, seek 10 dissolve the
Union. l know that il is supposed by seme,
tha. the day will come when the North, in
the arrogance OF its power, will furnish
Just such pretext as | have indicated; and
the Senator from Georgia and others have
argued this question on the ground that it
will come: but must see il come before
will calculate the value Of this Union.
trust that day will never cume. I do not
believe it will come, if the South is wise
and true TO itself, l would not have them
truckle or surrender any Of their rights
| would not have them yield one iot or tit
tie OF their rights; but l would have them
make no questionable issues in advance,
stir up no strife upon unnecessary abstract
questions, having no practical value: but to
do always what is right and just upon all
questions. When people or Territory
applies for admission into the Union under
fairly formed, with the assent
Of the people excluding slavery, l would
admit it promptly; and when an application
comes, on the other hand, from the people
of Territory who have fairly formed a
recognizing slavery, would
insist upon its admission as Slave State.-
If the North should not agree TO this, it
would then be time enough to consider Of
The proper remedy. But l would make no
ssae with the North now, and before any
occasion for it has arisen; and regret most
sincerely to hear any Senator from the
North suggesting that such an issue will
ever be rendered from that quarter.