Year: 1860

Washington, Dec. 5.


Mr. Hale, of New Hampshire-I was very much
in hopes that there would have been a Message
that would have commended itself 10 somebody
was not sanguine of its pleasing myself, but
did hope it would please some one. and the Pres.
ident would have looked things in the face
have read it somewhat carefully, and if under
stand it, and think do, it is this: First-That
South Carolina has just cause for seeding. Sec
Ond-That she has no right to Secede. Third
That We have no right 10 prevent her seeding.
That is the amount OF the Message, substantially.
Then the President goes on to represent this as
great and powerful Country, and that no State
has a right to secedc from it; and all the power
of the country, if | understand the President,
consist in what Dickens makes the English Con
stitution consist-the power 10 do nothing. Now,
sir, think it was incumbent on the President OF
the United States to have pointed out and re-
commended to Congress some rule, and 10 have
told us what he recommended US TO do. The
only way to escape the danger is to look it in the
face :; and think the country did expect from
the President some explanation of decided policy.


think that the state of things in this country
looks tC one of two things; it looks 10 absolute
submission, not on the part OF Southern States,
but on the part of the North, to an abandon
ment of their position. 1t looks to a surrender
Of that popular sentiment which ha58 81een uttered
through the constituted forms of the ballot box :;
or it looks to open war. That is what it looks
to, and We need not shut our eyes to the fact
1t means war to the State which has put herself
in the attitude of secession, and she looks upon
it so, and asks counsel. She has considered
it so, and armed herself


do not wish to say word that would cause
irritation, or add TO the feeling of bitterness
which really exists in the country. Not one.
would bear and forbear before would say such
word. But tell You the plain truth, that the
way Is to look the thing in the face, and see
where we are. And what is the issue that is
presented, but that the constitutional will of the
public opinion expressed through the forms of
the Constitution, will not be submitted to =? And
if war is the alternative. let il come in any form
or in any shape. The Union is dissolved, and it
cannot be held together as Union if that is the
alternative upon which We go into an election.
If it is pronounced and determined that the vote
of the majority expressed through the regular
constituted forms of the Constitution will not be
submitted to, then, sir, this is not Union OF
equals. II is Union of a dictatorial oligarchy
on the one side, and herd of slaves and cowards
on the other. That Is it-nOthing more or less.


1t this discussion is proceeded with, ! shall
take occasion 10 address myself to that phase OF
the controversy which is 50 constantly, perse
veriusly and continually held up, that the North.
ern States are the aggressors. We have a set
of presses and politicians among US who have
perverted the public voice and the public inter
ests, ministering to a depraved appetite, and
they have lent their interest to aspeFsiOns and
SANDERS on the people among whom they live
and upon whom they feed: and / very much
fear our friends on the other side have listened
too much to their aspersions rather than TO their
own convictions OF what the trouble is


Let me sag further, II there ar,
those lrho LOOK to the settlement Of this coatro
rersy by further concession from The North,
think they mistake. i think We have conceded
| too much, We have compromised too much, an(