Year: 1861

|


WASHINGTON, JAM 81 1861.
MONSTER UNION MEMoRIAI-sPEECn


Mr.. euwARD, (rep) Of N. Y, presented monster petit


on Of the citizens Of New York for the passage Of
substantially the border State resolutions. The
petition signed by 3S 0C0 people, and is twelve hundred
feet leag.


Mr.. SEWARD said-Mr. President, have received
communication from Messrs A. A. Low, James A.
Gaiatin, Peter Cooper and others, who commit
tee Of twenty five citizens of New York who charged
with The duty Of presenting the Senate Of the United
States the petition of the inhabitants of that city praying
for tho exercise Of the best wisdom Of Congress finding
plan for adjustment Of the troubles which dis
urb the peace and happiness and endanger the safety Of
the nation. In compliance with their request waive the
reading Of the memorial and ask that the Senate will


indulge with allowing to be read at the Secretarys
desk the resolutions the committee have adopted IN
regard to the views they desire to presept-t is very
short


The SECRETARY then proceeded TO read as follows
REPORT OF THE SPEuAL COMMITTEES TO A MEETING AT


Rooms OF TIE CHAMBER or COMMERCE. SATURDAY, JASu-


AIRY 26, 1860.


The special committee to whom assigned the duty
Of dgesiipg and presenting proper basis OF acton for
the committee charged with the presentation TO Congress
of the memorial OF citizens Of New York praying that
such may be adopted by Congress as will re-
store tranquility and peace to our now distracted coun
try, beg leave to respectfully report


That, since the last meeting OF the Memoir Il Commit
tee, Legislative printed document has been received
stated embrace propositions for adjustment Of the
pending difficulties between the Northern aud Southern
States, and agreed upon by committee OF the border
States, including Delaware, Maryland Virginia, Ken
tucky Missouri and North Carolina from the south, and
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois from the
North These propositions contemplate both acts OF
legislation and amendments Of the constitution, and
which, with some notifications and additions are as fol-
lows and which the special committee adopt as part Of
their report which they submit for the consideration OF
the Memorial Committee, and respectfully recommend
for their adoption the basis of their action under the
memorial and in furtberance OF its objects


Mr.. SEwARp-Mr. President, excepting the House OF
Representatives this Senate Chamber is the largest han
that is has becn occupied by legislative assem-
bly, since the world began. The memorial which am
charged presen, s Of such length that If extended
it would cross the Senate Chamber in its EXTREMIST
length eighteen times. have already presented memo
rias from the city of New York. signed by citizens of
that place to the number Of twenty i've thousand, and
this memorial bears the signatures Of thirty eight thou
sand more making in the whole, sixty three thousand
of the Inhabitants of that city who have signed this appeal
to the Senate The committee who have charge OF this
memorial fair representation, might almost say an
embodiment, OF citizens who direct and WELD the com
Of the great emporium OF our country the com
mcrce OF a continent, and a which this pre-
year. owing to the distractions Of the times Is put
for the first time condition of proving itself to be the
controlling commerce of the world The memorial which
they present may be regarded as fair expression
Of the interest which is felt by that great commercial
community, and, probably, fair onponens Of the ine
great subject which Is felt by the whole
| commercial interest OF the United States and IN
| any other part Of the world. Such a communication
| would command obedience in England, France, Russia,
Prussia or Germany demonstration Of the will Of the
commerce OF the country decides questions Of or
peace Happily, sir that is not the in this great
4 Thp INF at Of il N
terest of agriculture manufactures and mining each Of
them is another-each entitled TO, and each secures
equal respect and the consideration which they OBJ ain s
DUE their number not to their wealth. but due 10
the circumstances under which they lend their advice to
the government But do not hesitate to say that the
character these petitioners entte them the respect
| full attention and consideration Of Congress, and
| they have asked TO support this petition.
| have not yet found though have anxiousy waited
for and hoped for that manifestation Of temper on the
part Of the people of country and their representa-
tves, which would justify me in saying that the seced
ing States, or those who sympathze with them have
made propositions which the citizens OF adjoining States
could aocept, or desire to speak with mparality
upon this, all other occasions, TO put the PROPOSE
ton another form, that this any other Of the vari
propositions which have come from the citizens Of
adherint States those who desire TO adhere 10 the
Union would not be acceptable and satisfactory TO the
other party. have thought my duty to hold myself
open and ready for the bestadstument which could be
practically made, and have therefore been obliged to
ask this committee 70 be content with the that


woud express TO the public and to the Senate in that
spirit in which they come perfectly commendable and
perfect! satisfactory 1t is gratifying to me to see that
proper spirit spirit of aterna kindness and of conca
tion and Affection adopted large portion ofmy fc
low cz,ns Of the State in which belong. have asked
them alp in return for performing my duty this
casion that when they have arrived at home, they win
act in the SPIRIT and manifest their devotion 70 the


Union above all other interests and all other sentiments
for the unon by voting for the Union as II II should be
demanded by lending and giving their money for
the Unio, and fighting in 1t az the last resort for the
unon taxing always that speaking goes before vot-
ing voting goes before giving money and all 80 before
battle which should regard hazardous and dangerous
and therefore the last as IL would be the most painful
measure 70 be 10 for the salvation OF the Union
This Is the spirit in which have deter
| mined for myself to come up TO this great
question 10 pass through it, as l sincerely believe
we sha pass through It, for although the great conro
ycrsy has not been already settled, do not therefore
any the less calculate upon and expect that It viii be
peacefully settled and settled for the Union. have not
been so ras expect that in sixty days. which have
been allowed since the meeting OF Congress, and
win be frank sir in saying have not expected that in





this great controversy would certainly be adjusted peace
restored and the Union firmly re established. know,
sir that sixty ninety days was the term that was
fixed with definite objects and purposes by that portion
Of my fellow citizens who have thought that IL could
consult the interests Of the States TO which they belonged
TO dsseve the Union have not expected tina, reason and
Judgment would back to the people and become so
yadng and universal that they would appreciate the
danger and be able toagee on the remedies st lhavc
been willing that should be tried though unsuccessfuy but
my confidence has remained soundo for this simple reason


that as have believed that the passion and frenzy Of
the hour could this great fabric Of constitutional


liberty and empire in ninety days, 50 have felt sure
that there would be time after the expiration OF
ninety days for restoration Of all that had been lost and
for the reestablishment Of all that was in danger
| great many and various interests and elements arc
brought into conflict this sudden crisis great many
personal ambitions and great many sectional interests
and n would be strange II they would all be accommo