That this policy and drill, first organized by Thomas Jefferson, accomplished his election, and established the Virginia dynasty of twenty-four years;--a perpetual practical contradiction of its own principles. 5th.

That the same policy and drill, invigorated by success and fortified by experience, has now placed Martin Van Buren in the President's chair, and disclosed to the unprincipled ambition of the North the art of rising upon the principles of…

It depresses the spirits, and humiliates the soul, that this war is now running into its fifth year, has cost thirty millions of dollars, has successively baffled and disgraced all our chief military generals,--Gaines, Scott, Jesup, and…

Sixteen millions of Anglo-Saxons unable to subdue, in five years, by force and by fraud, by secret treachery and by open war, sixteen hundred savage warriors!

There is a disregard of all appearance of right, in our transactions with the Indians, which I feel as a cruel disparagement of the honor of my country.

There is not a point in the affairs of this nation more important than this very practice of duelling,--considered as a point of honor in one part of the Union, and a point of infamy in another,--with its consequences.

I say there is no more important subject that can go forth, North and South, East and West; and I therefore take my issue upon it.

It may not, indeed, be sufficiently potent in its operation to prevent the thirst for blood which follows offensive words; but I believe it has prevented, and will prevent, any such occurrences as we have witnessed here.

But, as it bears upon the affairs of the nation, I am not willing to sit any longer here, and see other members from my own section of the country, or those who may be my successors here, made subject to any such law as the law of the…

I am unwilling that they should not have full freedom of speech in this house on all occasions--as much so as the primest duellist in the land.

It shall go out to the country, and I am willing that the sober sentiment of the whole nation shall be my final judge on this subject.

As I cast my eyes along those seats of honor and of public trust now occupied by you, they seek in vain for one of those honored and honorable persons whose indulgence listened then to my voice.

The first impression of this event here, where it occurred, is of the frailty of all human enjoyments, and the awful vicissitudes woven into the lot of mortal man.

To that benign and healing hand of Providence I trust, in humble hope of the good which it always brings forth out of evil.

May the blessing of Heaven upon this nation attend and follow this providential revolution in its government!

The moral condition of this country is degenerating, and especially through the effect of that part of its constitution which is organized by the process of unceasing elections.

The spirit of the age and country is to accumulate power in the hands of the multitude: to shorten terms of service in high public places; to multiply elections, and diminish executive power; to weaken all agencies protective of property…

But the improvement of the condition of man will form no part of his policy, and the improvement of his country will be an object of his most inveterate and inflexible opposition.

No, sir; never shall my voice be for going to war upon that issue.

I will not go to war upon an issue upon which, when we go to a third power to arbitrate upon it, they will say we are wrong.

Now, admit that,--and none of your state rights men can deny it,--admit that, and all the rest follows of course.

You have reparation to make for all the men, and for all the arms and implements of war, which we were transporting, and going to transport, to the other side, to foment and instigate rebellion in Canada.

And it would come, in the end, after all the blood and treasure had been wasted by a war between the two countries, to this, that we must shake hands and drink champagne together, after having made a mutual apology for mutual transgression.

That is the way things are settled between individuals,--'If you said so, why, I said so,'--and thus the dispute is amicably settled.

So we should have to do with this national matter; for there is not any great difference in the essentials of quarrelling and making up between nations and individuals.