I see in these propositions anything but true measures of pacification.
But the North will never consent to the separation of the States. If
the South persist in the course on which she has entered, we shall
march our armies to the Gulf of Mexico, or you will march yours to the
Great Lakes. There can be no peaceful separation. There is one way
by which war may be avoided, and the Union preserved. It is a plain
and a constitutional way. If the slave States will abandon the design
which we must infer from the remarks of the gentleman from Virginia
they have already formed, will faithfully abide by their constitutional
obligations, and remain in the union until their rights are in _fact_
invaded, all will be well. But, if they take the responsibility of
involving the country in a civil war, of breaking up the government
which our fathers founded and our people love, but one course remains
to those who are true to that government. They must and will defend it
at every sacrifice--if necessary, to the sacrifice of their lives.
At the close of the session, and upon the request of my associates upon
the commission, I wrote a report to Governor Andrew, which was signed
by all the members of the delegation. Governor Andrew submitted the
report, with his approval, to the Legislature the 25th day of March.
The character of the convention, and something of the condition of the
country may be gathered from the following extracts from the report:
"The resolutions of the State of Virginia were passed on the 19th of
January; and it was expected that within sixteen days thereafter the
representatives of this vast country would assemble for the purpose of
devising, maturing, and recommending alterations in the Constitution of
the Republic.
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