But the question arises, What is a majority of each House? or rather, putting aside all question with regard to the House of Representatives, which is perfectly free to determine for itself, What is a majority of the Senate?

Therefore the will of a majority of all its existing members is to be regarded as being properly invested with the rights of the corporation.

This rule is founded on the Law of Nature, inasmuch as, if unanimity were demanded, will and action on the part of a corporation would be quite impossible.

If ever the argument of convenience was strong, peculiarly strong, it is now, when a wicked rebellion has undertaken to withdraw the Senators of eleven States, thus reducing our numbers.

As the language of the Constitution is drawn into debate, I cannot doubt, that, according to Parliamentary Law, the present question is within the control of the Senate, to be determined by the teachings of reason and convenience, so as to…

Any other interpretation must leave the Senate to all the hazards of disorganization by treason, or, it may be, by indifference.

If the Senate declines to exercise this power, it will abandon an essential principle of self-defence.

It is essential to proper legislation not only that the Senate should vote, but that it should consider measures on which it votes; and the consideration must be in proportion to their importance.

Perhaps no question of greater importance has ever been presented.

It concerns the whole question of Slavery; it concerns the pretension of State Rights; it concerns also the results of this war.

Look at it, therefore, in any aspect you please, it is a great question.

Few matters of greater importance have ever been laid before the Senate.

Has it come to this, that Congress could sit here content when paid by the day, and now that it is paid by the year it leaves its important business to be neglected entirely, or to be hurried forward without that discussion which it ought…

A duty is cast upon Congress which ought not to be slighted.

Solemnly now this duty addresses itself to all of us.

For the sake of the public business, and for the sake of those responsibilities which from their very uncertainty at this crisis are so vast, I ask the Senate to continue here.

But, absent or present, the cause in which the people are to assemble has my God-speed, earnest, devoted, affectionate, and from the heart.

There is no work I will not undertake, there is nothing I will not renounce, if so I may serve my country.

Thus inspired, the gates of Hell cannot prevail against us.

To this end the cries of faction must be silenced, and the wickedness of sedition, whether in print or public speech, must be suppressed.

An aroused and indignant people, with iron heel, must tread them out forever, as men tread out the serpent so that it can neither hiss nor sting.

God bless our country! and God bless all who now serve it with singleness of heart!

In presence of such peril, and under the weight of such duties, there is no pride of opinion which I would not freely sacrifice, nor can I stand on any order of proceeding.

Show me how an important measure can be secured, which I think vital to the country, and I shall spare no effort to secure it.

Let us at all hazards prevent the extension of Slavery and the increase of the Slave Power.