Year: 1861

Preston King, Senator from New York, i
: evidently one of the unterrifed sort. He
speaking in favor of the seven new steamer


for the Navy:


Mr.. KIKe, (Rep., N. Y.)-This measure o


increasing the Navy has been introduced every
year since have been member of the Sen


ate, and think 1 have uniformly votet
against it, for did not believe it was necessa
nv. But treason is abroad in this land, and
! believe there is an occasion and necessity fol
| the increase of the armament and the power


Of the country. But for the condition Of things
! in the country now, would vote against it
but vote for it as a measure to put the cOun
try in a condition to defend itself against its
eneriies, whether they are domestic OF
foreign enemies. This Government and the
country cannot be peateably destroyed, or
overthrown, or divided. The sovereigns them
selves will come here before that IS done, even
if their representatives could prove recreant
in their defence Of it. 1t is well that the
whole country should know that the people Of
this country viii not consent they viii never
consent. to the peaceable destruction or dis
solution of the Government. They would be
recreant to the highest duties of men, to their
country, to their race, to themselves, and to
the high trust of their ancestry who acquired
it, if they could entertain thought Of the
destruction Of this country. don't believe
it can be destroyed l would use iorbearance
and patience would extend every degree of
kindness, and make every effort at conciliation
to these people. But to their right to divide
this Covernmen t, to take State out of the
Union, or least Of all, that they should have a
right to break up this Government, would
never admit. 1 don't know what these gentle
men consider peace. They have armed them
selves, ana have even taken arms belonging 10
this Government. Cabinet officers and mem
bers of the Senate have been interested in ths
treason, and foul, infamous plot has existed
/ have no doubt, to destroy this Government
Providen ce, rather than the skill and attention
Of the people, has arrested it, and some ii the
mon have been driven out Of the Cabinet il:
disgrace and an indictment found against
some of them for eInbezzlement, or petty lar
ccny, or grand larceny, or for any other ma
nous attempt which men can commit. lhere
were members of Congress found III the war
of 1912 who voted against the supplies for
Government, and it is not surprising tha' Sucn
should be found in Congress at any time =
The greatest latitude of opinion exists III thls
country. aud so it should. Men cannot talk
treason-they must act it-and he who ae'Sit
in my Judgment, should take the fate Of trai-
tor, and should not seek TO escape by preten-
ding that be can commit j peacefully against
the country. I cannot conceive the case OF 4
man of honor who could steal into a rouse
partly his own, and candestinel ely and privately
rob it Of its means of strength and defence
and then assail it ard claim a right to do SO
peacefully and say he should not be punished
or disturbed by force. l tell these gentlemen
that; in my juigmgn', this treason must come
to an eIt,l-peaeefully hope but never IN my
Judgment peacefully, if by an isnomial on ons
submission OF the honor of the people OF THIS
couptry 10 traitors. Never tirslre peace
but would provide, amply provide for the he
means Of defense Of the country by war II
necessary.