Year: 1861

tariff bill that will destroy the revenues; t
arrest its progress by showing them the
were going to deprive the Government o
means. They would not listen to the warn
ings that were given them. They hav
rushed through that tariff bill, and nov
lind themselves without capacity to collec
the revnue under it, and object because
point out the defects in the law. 1t wa
necessary to point out the defects in orde
to turn the attention of the country to tn
fact that legislation is necessary in order t,
have revenue. shall regret it much if i
turns out to be so;. but [ apprehend ",
shall have to be assembled in extra session
in few months to undo on the subject O
revenue what has just been so recklessl,
and unwisely done.


But the Senator says that my pointinc
out their inability, without violating tn
Constitution and the laws, to do what theil
party leaders profess they are going to do
reminds him OF the Tories of the Reuolu ion
lie will not say that am Tory, but h.
says my speech reminds him of them
Well, sir, a man may be reminded of the
Tories by his antagonism to them, or by hi,
own identity with them. do not choose
to say which category the Senator from
Wisconsin is in. have not the slightest
apprehension that the people Of the United
States will regard me as an enemy to my
country. | shall 60 no no defense Of my
patriotism or my devotion to the country;
nor shall take any exceptions to that line
Of argument, which dealt rather in insinu
ations than direct assertions; for it seems
impossible for Senators on that side of til,
Chamber to make speech " th,ut impugn
ing my motives or assailing my character
1t has become matter of habit with them,
here and elsewhere, and suppose if
should die, would have the longest list oil
mournecs that ever graced funeral cor.
tege in this country, because there would
be so many politicians deprived of the ma
terial out Of which they manufacture their
Speeches. Ladshter.l


The Senator has read the three PROPOSE
tons which | laid down in my speech OF
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, h.
tells us that, in his opinion, the first is the
worst but he will not say which of tn
other two is best. will read them again
in order that the Senate may understand
which line Of policy, in his opinion, is the
worst that can be pursued. The first is:


81. The RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION
OF THE UNION by such amendments to the
Constitution a will insure the domestic
tranquility, safety, and equality Ct all the
States, and thus restore peace, unity, and
fraternity, to the whole country"


That Is the aoorst proposition that could
be laid down, the worst line Hf policy that
coull be pur- ued, in the estimation Of that
Senator. What is it?


"Such amendments to the Constitution
as will insure the domestic tranquility. safe
ty, and equality of all the States, and thus
restore peace, unity, and fraternity, to the
whole c0nntry.'


Is the Senator from Wisconsin opposed
to insuring their domestic tranquility? Is
he opposed to inSurlng their equality? Is
he opposed to restoring peace, unity, and
fraternity to 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
On this, he and are at issue. As to the two
other propositions, he says he is SO much
in doubt that he will not say which he pre-
fers. will read the other two as the al
tentative propositions:


~. "A PEACEFUL DISSOLUTION OF THE
UNION, by recognizing the independence OF
such States as refuse to remain in the Union
without such constitutional amendments,
and the establishment Of liberal system
of commercial and social intercourse with
them by treaties Of commerce and amty.'


Or,


80 WAR, with view to the suhugation
and military occupation Of those States which
have seeded or may secede from the Union y


The Senator is unable to tell us whether he
pr eiers dissolution Of the Union by peace, Or
whether he prefer. it by war; but he pre- ters
either to such amendments to the Constitution
as will insure the domestic tranquility, safety
and equality Of all the States, | am aware.
sir. that there are men in high authority, and
distinguished tor many qualities, in the north.
ern country. who really believe that his Union
ought to be dissolved; some hy peace, some by
war. Those who wish to make the dissolution
perpetual and eternal, would like to have it
baptized in blood, so that there never could be
a restoration Sir, do not wish to argue with
those persons who prefer dissolution of tn.
Union, either peaceably or by war, to such
amendments OF the Constitution as will insure
the domestic tranquility, SAFETY, and equality OF
all the Stat 9, and thus restore fraternity. 1t
is u question Of union OF disunion. That Ques.
ton, in my mind, involves peace or war. In
my opinion, all men who are opposed to amend
ments of the Consultation ore looking to dis
solution OF the Union, either as a necessity that
Cannot be avoided, or as thing that is desira
ble in itself.


Mn. CL>Rx. Will the Senator suffer me to
intarrN,,t him al this mint


Ma. DOUGLAS. Certainly.


Mr.. CLARK. | have heard him several
times say that Senators in his side are in
favor of dissolution Of this Union.
understand him now to say that he judges
all those who oppose amendments to the
Constitution to lie in favor Of dissolution
am 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 Constitution
as it is, than to attempt any such compro-
mise as he contemplates.


Mr.. DOUGLAS have no doubt the Sen
ator entertains that opinion. | have no
doubt he will stand by that position, even
if dissolutiot of the Union is the inevita-
BILE consequence. have no doubt he would
prefer war to amendments Of the Constitu-
ton.


Mr.. CLARK. If the Senator will allow
me, cannot permit that to go in tbe broad
length in which he states it. could Judge
o. the amendments when they were propos.
ed but say to him here, that | should
deprecate civil war as earnestly and as
deeply as be 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 de-
prccatcs war; it is a great calamity he
knows it; he feels it; Yet that is better,
in his estimation, than such compromises
as will restore and insure the domestic tran
guilty, safety, and equality Of all the States


Mr.. CLARK. If the Senator will allow me
anlip hoconco I do not u,aao o., In ,,.:,.,,.