Year: 1861

oillStc " hISiI L idtb tAo"ii Al iiiS SpSSIu Va
the other day, and then stated that of the
three, | said the first was the best and the
last was the worst, After reading them.
be tells US that, in his opinion, the first is
the worst, bat he will not say which of the
other two is the best. | will read them
again, ia order that the Senator may un-
derstand Which line of policy, in his
opinion, is the worst that can be pursued.
The first 10:


lHE RESTORATION AND PREsERvA-
TIoN OF THE UNION, by such amendments
to the Constitution as will insure the do
mestic tranquility, safety and equality Of
all the States, and thus restore peace, unity
and fraternity to the whole country"


That is the worst proposition that could
be laid down, the worst line of policy that
could be pursued, in the estimation of the
Senator What is it2


Such amendments TO the Constitution
as will insure the domestic tranquility,
safety and equality Of all the States, aud
thus restore peace, unity, and fraternity to
the whole country"


Is the senstor from Wisconsin opposed
20 insuring their domestic tranquility. Is
he opposed TO insuring their ssfety' Is
he opposed to insuring their equality! Is
he opposed to restoring peace, unity and
fraternity 30 the whole country? Is that
line OF policy which will accomplish those
objects the worst that could be pursued
The Senator from Wisconsin thinks it is.
Ga this, he and are at issue As to the
other two propositions, be says he is so
much in doubt that he will not say which
he prefers. l will read the other two as
the alternative propositions;


"2. A PEACEFUL Dissolution OF THE
UNION, by recognizing the Independence
OF such States as refuse 10 remain in the
Union without such constitutional amend
ments, and the establishment of liberal
system of commercial and social inter-
course with them by treaties Of commerce
and amity."


Or.


"3. WAR, with a view to the subiuga-
ton and military occupation of those
States which have seeded or may secede
from the Union


The Senator is unable to tell US whether
he prefers dissolution of the Union by
peace, or whether he prefers it by war :;
but he prefers either to such amendments
to the Constitution as viii insure the do
mestic tranquility, safety, and equality of
all the States. am aware, sir, that there
are men high in authority, and distinguish
ed for many qualities. in the nor, hern
country, who really believe that this Union
ought to be dissolved 4; some by peace
some by war. Those who wish to make
the dissolution perpetual and eternal,
woud Ike to have it baptized in blood,
so that there never could be a restoration.
Sir, | do not wish to argue with those per
sons who prefer dissolution of the Union,
either peaceably or By war, to such amend
ments Of the Constitution as will insure
the domestic tranquility, safety, and equal
ity of all the States, aud thus restore fra
ternlty. 1t is question of union or dis
union. That question, in my mind, in
wolves peace or war. In my opinion, all
men who are opposed to amendments Of
the Constitution are looking to a disso!u-
ton Of the Union, either as necessity
that cannot be avoided, or as a thing that
is desirable in itself


Mr. Clark. Will the Senator suffer me
to interrupt him at this pointa


Mr. Douglas. Certainly.


Mr. Clark. | have heard him several
times say that Senators on this side ale in
favor of dissolution of the Union. |
understand him now to say that he Judges
all those who oppose amendments to the
Constitution TO be in favor Of disunion.
| ain one of those who choose to stand
by the Constitution as it is; and | desire
to declare to that Senator that believe
it to be better and truer way to preserve
this Union, to stand upon the Constiiu-
ton as it is, than to attempt any such
compromise as he contemplates.


Mr.. Douglas l have no doubt the
Senator entertains that opinion. I have
no doubt he will stand by that position,
even if dissolution Of the Union is the
inevitable consequence. l have no doub.
he would prefer war to amendments TO the
Constitution.


Mr.. Clark. If the Senator will allow
me, | cannot permit that to 90 in the
broad length in which he states it. /
could judge of the amendments when they
were proposed; but say to him here,
that should deprecate civil war as ear
nestly. and deeply 20 he does.


Mr.. Douglas. No doubt Of that; but
yet when the question is war or amend
ments to the Constitution, | understand
him to be against all compromises. He
deprecates war; it is great calamity he
knows it; he feels it yet that is better in
bis estimation, than such compromises as
will restore and insure the domestic tran
quility, safety, and equality of all the
! States.


Mr.. Clark IF the Senator will allow
me again, because | do not mean to be
misunderstood-


Mr.. Douglas. Certainly.


Mr.. Clark. [ distinctly state now, and
have said heretofore, that | believe we
can stand upon the Constitution better
:han we can stand anywhere else, and
avoid war by standing upon it. believe
if the Senator will allow me that the pro
positions that have been made in regard
to compromises have been demoraized
the union feeling in the southern States
LII Al