Year: 1861

or no Government and ascertaining who was for !
the Government and who against it. And /
solemnly believe, if the entire mass of the Re.
publican party, in Congress and out, had, from
the start, boldly maintained this position, instead
OF frittering away the time in feeble attempts at
compromising" what cannot be compro-
mised-in half apologiEing for having had the
tcmerity to elect their President--we should
have stood stronger to day the crisis would be-
fore now have been passed, and the revolution |
stayed. We would by that course, have pre-.
sented an issue around which the moderate,
patriotic men in the borde- slave States-who
know that the charges against the Republicans
of designing TO Interfere with any OF their con-
situtional rights are .fdise-could have rallied,
and standing with us on the common platform
of the Constitution and the Union, the food of
secession which now threatens to overwhelm
them would have been rolled back. The elo-
quent and patriotic speeches of the gentleman
from Texas, Mr.. HAMILTON and of the gen
teman from Tennessee, Mr.. SroKEs,l but a
day or two since, and other speeches Of like
tone, from gentlemen Of the border States, un
mistakably indicate that such would have been
the case if the right stand had been taken at
first. hope it is not too late now. Firmness
on the part of the Executive, and irmness and
courage on the part Of the people of the free
States, is in my Judgment, the best antidote for





best remedy TO avert the horrors of civil war.
Every time the people Of the free States have
wavered every time her Representatives have
eviuced disposition to fall back one step from
their position, the sccessionists, with fercer
yells have advanced two. And so it will be to
the end. If we compromise to-day, we will be
required to yield more tomorrow; and when
the North is sufficiently humiliated, there will
be no difficulty, l apprehend, in reconstruct
ing the Government so as to place it in the
hands of the slave power forever. Sir, an
for making a stand somewhere; and prefer to
make it before l start to run at all.


Mr. Speaker as much as detest the treason
Of South Carolina, there is an audacity in her
mode of doing things that almost compels my
respect She does not attempt to disguise her
long and deep. seated hatred to the Union, and
she makes no scruples at turning her guns upon
the glorious flag of her country. She filings de.
iiance at us in every form. would to God that
somebody, somewhere, who had authority to
speak for the Government, would exhibit half
the zeal for the Union that South Carolina does
against it!


But it is said that some sort Of compromise
is necessary in order to keep the border slave
States from joining in the secession movement.
Sir, if the security and prosperity these States
now enjoy by means of the Union; if the ex-
posed position they would occupy should it be
dissolved, and the utter ruin and disaster which
such an event would bring on them, whatever
ght be its effects in other parts of the coun


try; if the patriotic memories OF the past, and
the love of the Constitution and mon as it


is" which most of these States have been sup


posed particularly to cherish; if a better knowl.
edge of the people of the free States than pre-.
walls further South, and of the falsity OF the


charges brought against them if all this is not
sufficient to cause them to pause before they
take the fatal step which shall sever their con.
ncction with a Government that has covered
them with blessings. it will be in Vain to think
of placating them with any half measures that
We can adopt.


What guaranty have we, Mr.. Speaker, that
the border States will be satisfied with the prop.
ostions reported by the majority of the COM


mittee of thirty.three? What assurances have


we that any terms of settlement, short of the


recognition and protection by the General Gov.


ernment of slavery in the territory that we now


possess or may hereafter acquire south of 36'


3O/ will be acceptable to them? The honor


able gentleman from Tennessee, Mr.. NELSON,


whose opinions | greatly respect, and whose


character and patriotism command my admira


ton, while disposed to look favorably upon the


proposition to amend the Constitution prohibit


ing the interference with slavery in the States


is opposed to admitting New Mexico as State


and gives many and cogent reasons why il


would not be accepted by his State, and show


ing also that it would probably be productive


of more harm than good


But, Mr.. Speaker, suppose that the measures


proposed by the committee, or some others short


of the ultimatum laid down by the cotton States
, of slavery protection in all future acquisitions
, would be received by the border States, or mos
Of them, as final settlement of the slavery ques
ton: what then? The question still remains
what is to be done with the seeding States
The question still remains, whether we have
Government or not, capable of maintaining th
;. integrity of the Union? The question woul'
still press itself upon US, whether single State


or half dozen States combined, could, by thei
i rebellious action, destroy the unity and nation
. ality of the Government? And these vita
# questions, as have said, am for meeting il
e Hmine. Not by raising armies and marchn
$ them to the South, as the gentleman from Ill
e nois Mr.. LOGAN seems to suppose, to lay tn
. country waste by fire and sword, in order
n "coerce them into the Union; but by hrml
o adherng to the Constitution Of the country, an
a enforcing obedience to the laws by all the powe
/. Of the Government. And before l consent
If concessions. even for the Cancellation ithe bo
i. der States, desire to know where they will b
h found on this great question OF maintaining tn
y, laws of the Union?


t. Sir this country presents most melanchol
e and humiliating spectacle before the nations G
# the earth. A great nation of thirty mlio
d people, ranked as one of the frst-class Power
= of the world, at the first dawn of treason in it
:, borders retires inglorously before it, and tc


day is seen crumbling to pieces, without an e
J. fort being made to maintain its integrity, or
J. finger raised to defend the honor of its flag
a In all the tide of time the world never witnesse
g 50 cowardly an exhibition.


!" Now, sir, desire to inquire what would b
!. the effect of such policy as have indicated
e | would defend this capital at all hazard, an