Year: 1860

l reached the dignity of certain science? Can the politician, like the mathematician, reason to certain and to safe results from abstract formule? Sir, the statesman is he who derives his philosophy from the experience of the world. The theoretic politician Is he who would force the world to conform its experience to his philoso- phy. The one founds stable government builds up dynasties and empires; the other destroys social institutions. makes revolu- tion, and leaves anarchy and confusion be- hind him. Will not the intelligence of | the North save our government from falling into such hands as these? Is it possible that such a destiny as ours might be, is to be consigned to such keeping?

 Sir, I know that there is a noble army of northern democrats and conservatives, 1 who, true to the Constitution and to the Union, are doing gallant service in the cause of both. There is not patriot in the land who does not respect and sympa- thize with that gallant band as they fight bravely on in the face of prescription and defeat, and who does not lift up his hands to pray for success for such manly efforts; but alasl we all know that victory is not always awarded to the side of virtue and intelligence.

 It may be, after all, that this republican party does indees. possess the power which it claims, and in its hands may rest the fatal shears which may clip the threads of, our national destiny forever. Sir, if power should fall into their hands, let them con- slider whether they will keep up this con. stant warfare upon the institution of sla- very wherever it exists; whether they will deny us our constitutional rights upon the plea that 1t falls under the ban of a higher law; whether they will do nothing to pre- vent and repress armed incursions of their people upon our people; whether they mean to use this government for the pur- pose of assailing and destroying our peace, our property, and perhaps our lives; and if they believe in their hearts and consci- ences that the law of right and of God constrains them to do it, then let them re- member that no party can come into power avowedly on these principles, and certainly none can administer the government upon them, except at the cost of the Union itself. Sir, once place before the South the alter native of union at the price of an irrepres- sible conflict, of eternal warfare upon it's social institutions, or separation, with the view of seeking the means of defending their lives, their property, and their honor, and, in my opinion, they will not hesitate long in accepting the latter. l say then, sir, to this party, that if these alternatives are to be forced on the south, when the fatal deed is accomplished, upon their heads and upon their consciences will rest the responsibility for the sin and its con- sequences.

 Sir in that event, the accusing voice of human history will ring through all the ages to impeach them at the bar of posterity, for having destroyed the noblest scheme of constitutional liberty which the wisdom of man has ever devised; and upon that fearful issue, each of the suc- ceeding generations of men will record its verdict of guilty against them. Their own descendants will heap reproaches upon the names of those who disappoint them of the destiny which would have been the richest inheritance that one generation can bequeath another But when it is asked 1 what consideration of religion or phian- thropy; upon what calculation of interest, general or sectional, the fatal deed was done, where will the satisfactory answer be found anA who shall arise in that day to defend their name from the foul re- proach?

 MT. President, when think of what it is that may be destroyed by this narrow spirit of sectional hate and bigotry, turn away from the contemplation with feeling of an almost indignant despair; but will not, as yet, despair of my country. 1 vii yet hope thatthe great army of northern democrats and conservatives will arise II the might of a noble cause, and expel thu intruders from the seats of power. l vii trust in the influence of truth, whose em pire is felt in evesy human heart wher once 1t has touched it. l will put my faitl higher yet-in Providence, for it cannot bt that God will permit such scheme O government as this fleighted, as 1t migh have been, with the highest hopes of hu manity to be wrecked in the wild orgies O madmen and fanatics But, sir, if should fail in these hopes, 1 may then, indeed despair of the Union; but 1 will not de spair of the ability of my constituents ant of my fellow-citizens of the slaveholdins States, to throw off yoke which will b' doubly accursed and galling for having been laid by hands that ought to have beer friendly; nor would 1 doubt their abilit, to establish for themselves confederacy which may become and remain great, glo rious, and free; and 1t will be to tha government that 1 shall then look for tn protecting shadow under which I may re pose in peace and safety for the remainde of the days that are allotted to me upol earth