Can such a state of things long continue, especially blood of an unarmed, defenceless man, and he a Senator with the ever-present risk of new causes of exasperation? of Massachusetts: if by laying down my life this hour, I I own it seems to me impossible, unless some healing could undo what has been done the last two years (begincourse is adopted, that the catastrophe, which the mass of ning with the disastrous repeal of the Missouri Comprogood citizens deprecate, should be much longer delayed. | mise) to embitter the different parts of the country against A spirit of patriotic moderation must be called into action each other, and weaken the ties which unite them, I would throughout the Union, or it will assuredly be broken up. willingly, cheerfully, make the sacrifice. Unless the warfare of inflammatory speeches and incendiary publications is abandoned, and good citizens, as in 1776 and 1787, North and South, will agree to deal with the same elements of discord (for they existed then as now), as our Fathers dealt with them, we shall but for a very few years longer be even nominally brethren of one family. The suggestion that the Union can be maintained by the numerical predominance and military prowess of one section, exerted to coerce the other into submission, is, in my judgment, as self-contradictory as it is dangerous. It comes loaded with the death smell from fields wet with brothers' blood. If the vital principle of all republican government "is the consent of the governed," much more does a union of coequal sovereign States require, as its basis, the harmony of its members and their voluntary coöperation in its organic functions. In a letter, written subsequently, in explanation of these remarks, Mr. Everett saidI have condemned from the outset, and still most decidedly condemn the policy of the late Administration towards Kansas. I opposed the Kansas-Nebraska bill in the Territorial Committee, of which I was a member. I voted against the amendment to the bill by which the Missouri Compromise was repealed. I opposed the bill to the best of my ability, in a speech delivered in the Senate on the 8th of February, 1854, of which I send you a copy; and I should have voted against it on its passage (as I stated in my place at the next meeting of the Senate) had not severe illness compelled me, at 3 o'clock in the morning, to leave the Senate chamber before the vote was taken. I informed my Southern political friends, when Believing, for these reasons, that healing counsels must the bill was brought in, that it ought to be entitled a bill be listened to, if we are much longer to remain one people, to "annihilate all conservative feeling in the non-slaveI regard the late National Union Convention as a move- holding States." With these views of the subject, though, ment in the right direction. I could wish that it had been as I trust, for reasons higher than any effect on party earlier assembled; with less exclusive reference to official politics, I fully concurred in the main line of argument nominations, and with a more comprehensive representa- in Mr. Sumner's speech. Abstaining, however, habitution, if possible, of the conflicting opinions of the country. ally myself from all personalities in debate, and believing On general principles and in ordinary times, I admit that that they always irritate and never persuade nor convince third parties are objectionable, but in the existing state I could not of course bestow my " unqualified approbation" of affairs, if there is to be any escape from the present ill-on the manner in which he treated the subject. omened conflict, it would seem that a commencement must be made with such a meeting as that of the 9th and 10th, at Baltimore. It was a fair representation of the conservative opinion of the country; and the calmness, gravity and good feeling with which its proceedings were conducted, cannot be too highly praised. In adopting as its platform the Constitution without note or comment, the Convention, as it seems to me, pursued a wise and patriotic course. No other course was thought of in the earlier days of the Republic. Electioneering platforms are almost without exception equivocal and delusive. It is objected that men differ as to the meaning of the fundamental law; but they differ not less as to any gloss or commentary. The Constitution, in its fair and natural interpretation, is the only basis on which good citizens in every part of the country can now unite; and any attempt to go further will usually have no other effect than to cause those who agree on great practical principles to differ on metaphysical subtleties, or to bring together, by artfully constructed phrases and from selfish motives, those who have nothing else in common. The candidate for the Presidency, presented by the Union Convention, is every way worthy of confidence and support. I speak from personal knowledge and long association with him in the public service. His distinguished talent, large experience in public affairs, proved integrity and sterling patriotism furnish the amplest pledge for an honest and efficient administration of the government at home and abroad. A citizen of the South, and loyal to her constitutional rights, his impartial and conciliatory course as a public man affords a ground on which he can be supported in either section of the country, without dereliction of principle, and by men of all parties, without a painful sacrifice of former preferences. Deeply regretting that the Convention has not put it in my power to pay an equally cordial and emphatic tribute to some worthy candidate for the Vice-Presidency, but feeling it a duty to give the desired proof of sympathy with their patriotic efforts to restore the happy days of brotherly concord between the different sections of our beloved country. I remain, dear sir, sincerely yours, EDWARD EVERETT. MR. EVERETT ON SUMNER. Soon after the brutal assault on Charles Sumner, in 1856, Mr. Everett, in some remarks delivered at Taunton, Mass., referred to the subject as follows: GEORGIA ON EVERETT. On the accession of Gen. Harrison to the Presidency, in 1840, he nominated the Hon. Edward Everett as minister to England, and this nomination was resisted with great pertinacity by the entire force of the Democratic party in the Senate, on the ground of Mr. Everett's Anti-Slavery sentiments, already quoted. The Whigs having a majority in the Senate, the nomination, after a severe struggle, was confirmed. Among those voting for the Confirmation was the Hon. James McPherson Berrien, of Georgia; but his vote on this occasion was so distasteful to the people of Georgia that the legislature of that State adopted the following resolve: Resolved,. That the opinions publicly proclaimed by and obligation of Congress to abolish Slavery in the DisEdward Everett, now minister to England, of the power trict of Columbia, to interdict the slave-trade between the States, and to refuse the admission into the Union of any character, subversive of the rights of the South, and if Territory tolerating Slavery, are unconstitutional in their carried out, will destroy this Union; and that the Hon. John McPherson Berrien, in sustaining for an important appointment, an individual holding such obnoxious sentiments, has omitted a proper occasion to give an efficient check to such sentiments, and in so doing has not truly represented the opinions or wishes of the people of Georgia, of either political party. The vote of the legislature on the adoption of this resolve was: In the Senate, Ayes 40; Nays 0. In the House, Ayes 101; Nays 40. JUDGE DOUGLAS ON THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE. In a speech delivered at Springfield, Ill., in 1849, Senator Douglas, in speaking of the Missouri Compromise, said: It has received the sanction of all parties in every sec. tion of the Union. It had its origin in the hearts of all patriotic men who desired to preserve and perpetuate the blessings of our glorious Union-an origin akin to that of the Constitution of the United States, conceived in the same spirit of fraternal affection, and calculated to at some distant day to sever the sacred bond of Union. All the evidences of public opinion seem to indicate that this Compromise has become canonized in the hearts of the American people as a sacred thing, which no ruthless hand would be reckless enough to disturb. The civil war, with its horrid train of pillage, fire, and slaughter, carried on, without the slightest provocation, against the infant settlements of our brethren on the fron-remove forever the only danger which seemed to threaten tier of the Union; the worse than civil war which has for months raged unrebuked at the Capital of the Union, and has at length, by an act of lawless violence, of which I know no parallel in the history of Constitutional Government, stained the floor of the Senate chamber with the Total... 67379 39080 3325 32543 41609 8030 35125 89880 12096 34378 45719 4886 46612 46201 1 Fremont over Buchanan, 28,299; Pierce over Scott, 9,066; Cass over Taylor, 4,755; Polk over Clay, 11,841; Harrison over Van Buren, 411. Mr. James G. Birney received 194 votes in this State, in 1840. Belknap. Coos... Grafton Hillsboro' Merrimac Strafford Sullivan Total 2062 2220 21 787 1887 262 610 1769 334 864 2185 2511 17 491 1825 850 589 1885 625 732 3910 2269 56 2068 2264 698 1881 2076 945 1200 1508 2 876 1491 167 230 1282 219 5029 4620 89 2043 4286 771 1927 4060 1104 2566 4046 7081 5326 85 2985 4855 1447 2799 4773 1257 8124 4583 4949 4730 43 1627 4628 1001 1245 4218 1076 1589 8821 628 2755 5030 Rockingham.. 5914 4915 111 2506 4502 1071 2710 8972 982 2830 4007 584 4102 4984 3566 2683 20 2003 2250 498 1664 1912 495 1702 1808 330 5280 6755 2449 2007 28 1816 2059 430 1176 1866 523 1553 1944 350 2088 2299 38345 32789 422 16147 29997 6695 14781 27763 7560 17866, 27160) 4161 26168 82761 1701 1816 248 Unorganized 233 Unorganized 2358 2070 874 8638 2302 Fremont over Buchanan, 5,556; Pierce over Scott, 18,850; Cass over Taylor, 12,982; Polk over Clay, 9,294; Van Buren over Harrison, 6,598. Mr. Birney received 126 votes in 1840. RHODE ISLAND. COUNTIES. Rep. Dem. Am. Whig. Dem. F. Soil. Whig. Dem. Free D. Whig. Dem. Abo. Whig. Dem. 11467 6680 1675 7626 8735 644 6779 8646 780 7322 4867 107 5278 8801 Fremont over Buchanan, 4,787; Pierce over Scott, 1,109; Taylor over Cass, 3,183; Clay over Polk, 2,455; Harrison ⚫ver Van Buren, 1,977. Mr. Birney received 42 votes in 1840. 5281 9854 6820 5964 9581 9124 1718 9716 8626 Nantucket.. 583 126 73 329 189 189 444 Norfolk 8402 8697 Fremont over Buchanan, 68,950; Scott over Pierce, 8,114; Taylor over Cass, 25,789; Clay over Polk, 14,572 ; Harrison over Van Buren, 20,930. Mr. Birney received 1,621 votes in 1840. VERMONT. 3568 683 237 41 671 320 5217 4287 888 5404 1847 3189 4449 3315 805 5065 8548 8895 3178 2132 8778 4659 509 7557 4339 5827 5058 8343 9359 7562 2147 11537 6764 108190 39240 19626 52683 44569 28023 61070 85281 28058 67418 52846 0860 12874 51944 2451 Rep. Dem. Am. Whiq. 3472 1715 5817 1821 89561 10569 545 22173 13044 8621 23122 10948, 18887 26770 18041 8954 82440 18018 Fremont over Buchanan, 28,992; Scott over Pierce, 9,129; Taylor over Cass, 12,174; Clay over Polk, 8,729; Harrison over Van Buren, 14,422. Mr. Birney received 819 votes in 1840. 562 536 1056 1192 833 245 1294 745 833 4114 1551 Buchanan over Fremont, 18,605; Pierce over Scott, 5,749; Taylor over Cass, 8,114; Clay over Polk, 828; Harrison over Van Buren, 2,817. Mr. Birney received 69 votes in 1840. Paulding 497 170 5 121 342 5 70 Perry 1885 1847 492 1417 2246 17 Pickaway 1724 2066 852 Pike 523 1175 375 Portage 2983 20721 198 1488 2192 19 1527 2273 2175 2041 35 2115 1960 24 2219 2012 927 1029 16 843 909 33 6 1351 2007 1296 1270 2149 1127 273 2253 1633 197 2106 1519 814 4 461 890 61 402 684 2726 2909 58 2133 3234 209 2087 8177 2436 2681 589 8091 2465 179 8394 2306 45 1064 1619 88 928 1148 546 634 1321 1804 1424 29 1838 1268 1472 749 2565 2605 103 1972 2809 118 1536 2326 1727 2316 41 1483 1616 1356 1446 127 1147 1309 54 1021 1129 26 955 1027 8770 3638 29 2740 3634 356 2382 3495 570 76 2701 8106 8185 1746 74 2336 1965 660 1892 1815 1058 2841 2056 184 2562 1646 4019 1920 18 1968 2039 1739 1864 1951 2075 8887 8544 738 4101 8325 8007 2656 18 2659 2685 112 2662 2553 164 2696 2858 35 2338 1787 1431 1055 263 1249 943 255 1030 797 178 1009 710 82 946 577 82 422 737 158 270 51 774 912 2S23 1919 223 Total.. COUNTIES. Albany.. Allegany Broome Cattaraugus Cayuga Chautauqua Chemung 5016 7751 5301 916 8703 146 187497 170874 28126 152526 169220 31682 138360 154775 35354|155057 149117 8050 148157 124782 Fremont over Buchanan, 16,623; Pierce over Scott, 16,694; Cass over Taylor, 16,415; Clay over Polk, 5,940. Harrison over Van Buren, 23,375. In 1840, Mr. Birney received 903 votes. Rep. Dem. Am. NEW-YORK. Whig. Dem. F. Soil. Whig. Dem. Free D. Whig. Dem. Abo. Whig. Dem. 8189 Chenango 628 2328 2064 1311 2256 2812 3289 4052 5495 5600 956 8587 2616 1481 4215 4495 7 3943 2121 2100 4322 4691 11 4287 4478 655 1879 946 1803 2378 2852 543 2664 2229 245 1941 1472 1221 1919 2218 410 2023 1828 339 2832 790 2908 8071 4230 205 2988 8847 33 5376 3227 1295 5767 5627 37 5355 5362 7647 8360 2357 6905 5050 415 6784 8691 2629 1002 1119 2612 1998 143 2617 1789 1353 974 911 1524 1501 93 1976 380 1602 2107 2192 100 2890 1180 1111 8604 2105 1425 2968 8488 Ful ton. 2430 699 3898 2868 4841 2445 4342 7511 4882 817 1223 789 1258 8730 889 2100 2924 1285 1602 85 2828 8298 2898 1565 2789 8683 8848 1311 4266 4114 6539 1443 4671 6878 5611 430 6468 4884 29057 18974 5106 26885 28296 117 20958 21935 2828 1313 2080 8100 2589 310 2964 2219 5442 2229 4942 6495 6878 732 6557 8848 1272 2627 4568 8659 435 4828 4172 8170 1434 4626 5303 37 4371 4845 6032 3585 4816 6983 7717 1144 7156 7768 8655 1134 4254 8771 4382 851 4192 8907 2402 918 1772 2600 2311 276 2606 2027 8929 8674 1941 4743 6050 413 4856 5581 816 996 415 979 1731 2444 1810 800 2547 2751 6241 2685 2930 6360 5618 1099 860 123 1049 1063 918 1064 255 794 1679 8667 613 6023 4672 6008 4438 2515 1405 4550 4200 1716 1069 444 1814 1679 4346 608 8118 4850 6257 5680 5107 4648 77 8293 8157 1640 2073 8773 2709 2849 8278 Suffolk Seneca 200 Schoharie 276007 195878 124604 234882 262083 25329 218603 114818 120510 232482 237588 15812 225817.212527 Fremont over Buchanan, 80,129; Pierce over Scott, 27,201; Taylor over Cass, 104,285; Polk over Clay, 5,106; Harrison over Van Buren, 18,290. Mr. Birney received 2,808 votes in 1840 and Gerrit Smith, Land Reform and Abolitionist received 2,545 votes in 1848. 2393 2045 1980 1917 3306 14 2415 8482 |