nd springing into existence
military despotisms north, south, east and west. Instead of two
divisions, there will be many divisions. The condition of this
country will be worse than that of Mexico, because we are a braver,
a more powerful, people, who will fight each other with greater
tenacity. If this republic is dissolved, the man now lives who
will be the Napoleon of some section thereof. All history teaches
us that whenever a free government is disrupted a military despotism
of force is substituted for the will of the people; and we have no
right to suppose that our country will be an exception to the
general rule.

"I appeal to the Representatives of the border states to arrest
the progress of this storm for a little time, at least. Let us
see whether there is any hope for peace and conciliation. If there
is not, then, if we cannot agree, let us fight; but if we can agree,
let us do it like men, and not be hurried off by wild and insane
feelings of rage and disappointment, by the weakest state in this
confederacy. Sirs, if you do calm this storm, peace will again
smile upon our country. If you do not, I see nothing but civil
war before us. My colleague may paint in beautiful language the
blessings of peace; and cry 'peace! peace!' when there is no peace;
but, Mr. chairman, you and I see already rising in the west, where
military feeling is so rife, a spirit which will not brook much
longer the insults already cast upon the flag of our country. I
do not threaten, for I dread--nor for you or me, or the Members of
this House, for I suppose we have the ordinary courage of our race,
and we are but atoms in the storm--but thousands and millions of
men, like us, will regret the day when this government was hurried
into revolution, without opportunity for parley or delay.

"If your people will not aid the government in maintaining the
public property in the seceding states, then we must do it in spite
of you, or perish in the attempt. We must not allow the government
to crumble at our feet. You can arrest this movement, and you
alone can do it. I ask you, gentlemen from Virginia and the south,
does not your blood boil with indignation when you read of the
surrender of our forts and the dishonor of our flag? Are they not
yours as well as mine? Has the feeling of sectionalism become
stronger than love of country? I ask if the same patriotism which
brought your fathers and mine into common battlefields, am