Year: 1860

|
scious of ourselves, virtuous excuse. We
have loved not freedom so much less, but
the union of our country so much more. We
have been made to believe, from time Ia
time, that, in crisis both of these precious
institutions could not be saved together and
therefore we have. from time to time sur.
rendered safeguards of freedom to propitiate
the loyalty Of capital, and stay its hands
| from doing violence to the Union. The true
state of the case, however, ought not to be a
mystery to ourselves. Prescience, indeed, is
not given to statesmen; but we are not
without excuse when we fail to apprehend
the logic of current events. Let parties, or
the Government, choose or do what they
may. the people of the United States do not
prefer wealth to liberty, capital to labor, AT.
rcan slaves to white freemen, in the nation
al territories and in future States. That
question has never been distinctly recognized
or acted on by them. The Republican par
ty embodies the popular protest and reaction
against policy which has been fastened up
on the nation by surprise, and hich its rea-
son and conscience, concurring NTH the rea-
son and conscience Of mankind, condemn.


The choice of the nation is now between
the Democratic party and the Republican
party. It's principles and policy are, there
fore, justly and even necessarily examined.
I know Of only one policy which it has
adopted or avowed, namely the saving of
the territories Of the United States. if possi-
BILE, bv constitutional and lawful means from
being homes for slaves and polygamy. Who.
that considers where this nation exists, of
what races it is composed, in what age of the
world it acts its part on the public stage, and
what are its predominant institutions, Gus
toms, habits, and sentiments, doubts that
the Republican party can and will, if unwa-
veringly faithful to that policy, and just and
loyal in all beside, carry it into triumphal
success? To doubt is to be uncertain
whether civilization can improve or Christi
anity save mankind


| may, perhaps, infer from the necessity Of
the case, that it will, in all courts and places,
stand by the freedom Of speech and of the
the press, and the constitutional rights of
freemen everywhere; that 1t will favor the
speedy improvement of the public domain by
homestead laws, and will encourage mining,
manufacture and internal commerce, with
necdful connections between the Atlantic
and Pacific States-for all these are import
ant interests Of freedom. For all the rest,
the national emergencies, not individual in
fluences, must determine, as society goes on,
the policy and character of the Republican
party. Already bearing its port in legisla-
ton and in treaties, it feels the necessity of
being practical in its care of the national
health and life, while it leaves metaphysical
speculation to those whose duty it is to cul-
tlvate the ennobling science of political phi
losophv.


Put IN the midst of these subjects, or
rathe, before fully reaching them. the Repub.
lican party encounters unexpectedly. new
and potential issue-one prior, and therefore
paramount to all others, one of national life
and death. Just as if so much had not al
ready been conceded; nay, Just as if moth
ing at all had ever been conceded to the in.
terest of capital invested in men, we hear
menaces Of disunion, louder. more distinct,
more emphatic, than ever, with the condi-
ton annexed, that they shall be executed
the moment that a Republican administra-
ton, though constitutionally elected, shah
assume the Government.


| do not certainly know that the people
are prepared to call such an Administration
to power. know only, that through sue
cession of foods which never greatly excite,
and ebbs which never entirely discourage
me, the volume of Republicanism rises con-
tinually higher and higher They are prob
ably wise, whose apprehensions admonish
them that it is already strong enough for eff,
feet.


Hitherto the Republican party has been
content with one selfinterrogatory- how
many votes it can cast? These threats en-
force another has it determination enough to
cast them? This latter question touches its
spirit and pride. am quite sure, however,
that as it has hitherto practisei self-denial in
so many other forms, it will in this emery
ency lay aside all impatience of temper, to-
gether with all ambition, and will consider
these extraordinary decamations seriously
and with AUST moderation. 1t would be a
waste of words to demonstrate that they are
unconstitutional, and equally idle to show
that the responsibility for disunion attempt
| ed or effected, must rest not with those who
in the exercise of constitutional authority
maintain the Government, but with those
who unconstitutionally engage in the mad
| work of subverting it.


What are the excuses for these menaces
They resolve themselves into this, that the
Republican party In the North is hostile to
the South. But it already is proved to be a
majority in the North it is. therefore, prac-
tically the people Of the North, Will it not
stii be the same North that has forborne
with YOU so long, and conceded to you so
muohs Can you justly assume that affec-
ton which has been so complying, can all at
once change to hatred intense and mex
orable?


You say that the Republican party is a
/ sectional one l. the Damncrat;c MARTY lo..s