Recollection of Men and Things at Washington, During the Third of a Century (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 edition. Excerpt: ...chair. He will do it 1 No man at the North is to be intimidated by these threats of dissolution that are thrown into our teeth daily; and I ask Senators on the other side, why do you do it? I know not what motive you can have in preaching the dissolution of the Union day by day. If you are going to do it, is it necessary to give us notice of it? There is no law that you should notify us that you are going to dissolve the Union, laughter, and I should think it would be better to do it at once, and to do it without alarming our vigilance on the subject. It grates harshly on my ears; and I say to gentlemen that if a Republican President shall be constitutionally elected to preside for the next four years over this people, my word for it, preside he will. Who will prevent him?" The above is a mere glance at the irritating and exciting debate which continued some weeks. Mr. Trumbull's amendment was rejected--22 against 32, and the resolution introduced by Mr. Mason was adopted unanimously. In June he made a report, concluding as follows: I" Upon the whole testimony, there can be no doubt that Brown's plan was to commence a servile war on the border of Virginia, which he expected to extend, and which he believed his means and resources were sufficient to extend through that State, and throughout the whole South. Upon being questioned soon after his capture, by the Governor of Virginia, as to his plans, he rather indignantly repelled the idea that it was to be limited to collecting and protecting the slaves until.they could be sent out of the State as fugitives. On the con trary, he vehemently insisted that his purpose was to retain them on the soil, to put arms in their hands, with which he came provided for the purpose, and to use...