If it cannot live in the affections of the people it must one day perish.

Congress possesses many means of preserving it by conciliation; but the sword was not placed in their hand to preserve it by force.

This doctrine, if acquiesced in, would leave the United States utterly powerless to preserve its own life, whatever might be the exigencies, even against the most insignificant state in the Union.

No expectation or hope was indulged in that the President would do any act or say any word to arrest or delay the flagrant treason, then being committed in South Carolina.

Much that he has said I approve; but it seems to me that instead of appealing to this side of the House for conciliation, kindness and forbearance, he should appeal to those around him, who alone, provoke the excitement now prevailing in…

If by this he means that the army should not be used to conquer a state, to compel her to be represented, to maintain the courts or post offices within her limits, to burn her cities or desolate her fields, he is entirely correct.

But, sir, we have a government, a great government, to maintain.

It is supreme within the powers delegated to it; and it is provided with ample authority to protect itself against foreign or domestic enemies.

It is our duty, as the representatives of this government, to maintain and defend it in the exercise of its just powers.

In this act of war, they used the cannon and munitions of war paid for out of our treasury.

Forts ceded by the State of South Carolina to the United States were used to expel a vessel of the United States in the pursuit of its lawful commerce.

An act of war by citizens of the United States, and therefore an act of treason, was applauded by officers and citizens of that state, and perhaps by those of other states.

It was not an act of war against you and me merely, but against every loyal and patriotic citizen of this great republic.

This government had been more forbearing, more quiet, more complacent, under this series of offenses, than any government instituted since the foundation of governments.

Forts, arsenals, navy yards, and vessels of war, intrusted without defense to the patriotism of the people, have, upon one pretext or another, been seized, and are now held by lawless force.

I agree with all my colleagues from the State of Ohio, from both sides of the House, that there is one thing immutable--a law that is a higher law.

It is, that the Mississippi River, gathering all the rivulets of the northwest into one current, must be permitted to float our commerce, uninterrupted and untrammeled, to the sea, or thousands of men will float down upon its waters and…

No one doubts, I suppose, that the forts at the mouth of the Mississippi are in the possession, not of the troops of the United States, but troops that will resist the troops of the United States.

There is no doubt that Baton Rouge has been seized; no doubt, sir, that act after act of war has been repeated.

I ask you, as the representative of a brave people, what shall we do?

The question is not, shall we coerce a state? but shall we not defend the property of the United States against all enemies, at home and abroad, here or wherever the flag of our country floats?

Must this government submit to insult and indignity?

Must it surrender its property, its flag, its nationality?

Do you, gentlemen from Virginia, whose great statesman had so large a share in laying the foundations of our government, desire to see it thus dishonored?

I worked hard that winter, for hard work, I thought, was the way to fortune.