In reality, they are among the most important appointments under Government.

The whole proposition is not less pernicious than that other form of surrender; nor is it less shameful.

It is insulting to reason, and offensive to good morals.

Therefore do I think that the Government cannot be too careful in securing the best youths, and I welcome cordially the proposition of the Senator from Rhode Island.

I cannot doubt that such places should be given only to the most worthy, discarding personal or political favoritism; but there must be a rule by which to ascertain the most worthy.

I think the loyal clergy are among the most fighting portion of our population, quite as reliable as any other.

Suffice it for me that I make it in sincerity, because I think the exception worthy of place in a permanent statute regulating the military system of our country.

I shall not be led into debate, but you will let me declare my conviction that the proper duty of the clergyman, if he joins the army, is as chaplain, ministering to the sick, the wounded, the dying, and teaching the living how to die.

An eminent writer of our age, the late Lord Macaulay, has said positively that a clergyman should never fight.

The Senate is engaged in maturing a permanent law,--not merely for a year, not only for the present Rebellion, not for any exigency of the day, but an enduring statute,--and as such it will be a record of the sentiments and the…

I say nothing of the ignominy it would bring upon the Republic, but call attention at once to its character as a Compromise.

I think I do not err, when I say, that, in the history of the Christian world, you will not find a single evidence of a country where clergymen have been compelled to serve as soldiers,--at least I do not recall such instance,--while the…

Goldsmith’s village preacher, “passing rich with forty pounds a year,”--that is, about two hundred dollars,--was not unlike large numbers of the clergy among us.

Now, Sir, to compel persons living on such a small allowance to pay two hundred and fifty dollars for a substitute is really asking too much.

I think it unreasonable; and I think my colleague, who is pressing this bill with so much energy, would adapt himself better to the sentiment of the country and of civilization, if he admitted this natural and humane exemption into his…

Every reflective mind in Europe will know, after reading them, that whatever encourages the Rebellion will encourage the most odious tyranny that human cupidity ever devised.

I would not exaggerate the troubles that might ensue; but when I think of these sea-rovers, with license to overhaul neutral ships and to inflict upon them visitation and search, I feel how much evil may ensue compared with the good.

You would not threaten a whole street in order to catch a few robbers who had sought shelter in some of its recesses, nor would you burn down your house, according to the amusing story of Charles Lamb, in order to roast a pig.

The motive power will thus be adapted to the object, while our country will be saved from all chance of additional complication, and also from the stigma of reviving a policy which civilization condemns.

Besides, I doubt if any success reasonably expected from such ships, called by the French corsaires, will be a compensation for the bad name they will give us, and the bad passions they will engender.

If it were my privilege to speak on that occasion, I should urge upon my fellow-citizens everywhere the duty of Unity for the sake of Freedom, and also of Freedom for the sake of Unity.

Let this people continue united, and Freedom must surely prevail.

Let Freedom prevail, and this people cannot cease to be united.

With such a cause, there is but one side and one duty.

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