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TEX.As STATE LIBRARY gression, and give us back the old charter with all its guaranties and securities, unimpaired and unrestricted. If the present Congress, then, in defiance of our remonstrances, should adopt any of the abolition measures now pending before it, I would recommend the southern States, as soon as possible, to hold a convention, empowered to organ- ize a southern confederacy, and to make all necessary arrangements for public defence. I advise this course, not from choice, but from necessity. We are forced by our enemies into the alternative of retiring from the Union, or of remaining in it upon terms altogether incompatible with honor, peace or safety. They do not hesitate to avow their hatred and ab- horrence of us, and publicly to proclaim that their connection with us is a degradation to them. This itself is no very unreasonable ground to separation; but how doubly keen and afflictive does the insult become when we know that the scorn and contempt of our foes is founded upon that very submission which we so wofully mistake for a virtue. How can they respect us when w'e do not respect ourselves? Our i[ ] basis of their presump[tions? ] should desire to remain in [ un]der all these circumstances o[ ]famation and contumely, and [ ]tainty too of ultimate ruin, is a[ ] infatuation, of insanity, as incom[pati]ble to me as it is lamentable. The chief argument of those who are opposed to this measure of redress, is directed rather to the fears than the understandings of the Southern people. We are told that sanguinary war will be the imme- diate consequence of a dissolution of the Union. This may or may not be. It depends upon the disposition of our enemies; and it it1 more than probable that they will find as many arguments in favor of a peaceful separation as ourselves; but if thiR should not be the case; if they shall resolve on war, I am confident of one thing, that the .direst calamities that can possibly result, will be insignificant and trifling in comparison with those which follow in the wake of aboli-· tion. I will not stop, however, to place them in contrast; but .will proceed to say that I cannot perceive anything so terrible in war ,that we should avoid it at the sacrifice of every thin~ which gives value to lif[e ] freedom, and social equality; [ · ] must [ ] as our fathers r did?] before [us 1 with [their?] hearts and sharp swords;" and having justice on our side we cannot fail to have victory also. We shall have our border strifes - formidable invasions - sudden incursitms and bloody retaliations; all very hurtful, no doubt, but as hurtful to the foe as to us; and surely we shall he able to endure them as long as ·he, having a better · reason for the war; he fighting for fanaticism, despotism and military rule, and we for our 1ive11 and our homes - for our women and chil- dren ..:_ for truth, honor, justice and political rights; Nor -can th& struggle last always - it will have a termination; and when the storm and tempest shall have pa11sed by, we shall be able to sit down in peace and safety under our own vine and fig-tree, and talking over our bril- liant career of arms, rejoice in our establi11hment of a government, less fanatical. and more just and ·forbearing than the one which is now seeking to devour us; so, gentlemen, you· perceive that, if - all the scenes of blood and earnage anticipated by the submissionists, should be realized to the fullest extent, they will not be without their glori-
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