12 strife. I am passing through the last chapter of my public life, and I have no wish to identify my name with anything like a personal controversy. I have never sought it. .When the question comes to be'examined and solved, Who was the aggressor? it will be found that it was not I on any occasion. I admit that I have three peculiarities of manner—impatience, excitability, and perhaps' absent-mindedness. They are peculiarities which have followed me from the crat^j. But, sir, I hope I have hever known the time when reason and repentance would not suppress even a temporary injustice. If injustice is done to me, or a wrong or insult offered, I never stop to parley in words. I ask justice, and if it is not given, I never would be in the wrong if I could help myself; but when I am in the right I do not think any man can blame me for vindicating my principles. Now, sir, I appeal to the good sense of tLYa country. I appeal to the lessons which its grave history inculcates. I appeal to theposition which it occupies in relation to the history of the world, and to the high responsibilities which now rest on this Confederacy, notto allow itto be dissolved in blood. If we are to separate, let us have common sense enough to do it in a way becoming intelligent men, who have learned their lessons fi om the highest sources of intelligence and wisdom. If we are to live together, let it not be upon Ure terms prescribed or intimated by the tone and temper of the licentious and aggressive, language of the speech delivered by the Senator from Massachusetts. It is impossible for self-respect to allow me to sit here and listen quietly to such a speech. If there were separate confederacies to-morrow, he dare not utter it without subjecting himself to a peril which he will not encounter now. He would then put his section in a position to make war, and he would be responsible to a higher tribunal than that of those who'have erected themselves into it under an influence which I . think must perish; and I hope the day is fast coming when the fires of that-limited sectionalism will burn out, or will be reduced to the ashes of disappointment and-disgrace. for I should be vulnerable there; but “ men who live in glass houses should never throw stones.” Of ah the things which that Senator ventured to do, I think he exposed his house most when he made that assertion) with the detection which I have fixed upon him of error, injustice, and malignity. It is nailed upon him, and he cannot get rid of it. I care not how far fanaticism may undertake to influence the judgment of public opinion, it cannot alter the truth. Truth is sometimes slow in making its impression on the public mind,but, when made, it is evidence which Ereduces a belief that cannot be resisted. That elief will grow out of my statements, my remarks, and my references, and is just as certain as the truth of the evidence, and he cannotescape from it. Mr. President, 1 have detained the Senate much longer than I wished.. When I gave notice that 1 should speak to the resolutions of Massachusetts, it was with perfect confidence that the Senator would be in his seat. Finding that these resolutions were not here, on Monday last I gave notice that 1 should speak on Thursday, still confident that he would be here? Yesterday, having heard that perhaps he would not be present, I inquired in as delicate a manner as I could when he would be here? Although our relations are not friendly, I did not wish to assume a position which would be even apparently inconsistent with fair chivalry and bearing. I inquired whether lie would be in the Senate within a fortnight, and, if so, I said I would postpone my remarks. Finding that it was his purpose'to go, in a few days, to Massachusetts, and that he would not be likely to return for three or four weeks, I could not allow the opportunity to pass. 1 have staled these facts to show that I do not stand here taking advantage of his absence. I was willing to wait any reasonable time, but I could not allow error to prevail longer in relation to my State, my friend, or myself. This is my position. Sir, if there is any one individual who more than another regrets the occasion on which I have spoken, it is myself. I have no temper for
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