The Irrepressible Conflict and Impending Crisis [pp. 531-551]

AND IMPENDING CRISIS.
South, by the inducements held out to those who would otherwise be opposed to us to forego their opposition, for the salike
of pocketing the emoluments, and wearing the honors of office.
Well, the emoluments amount to a great bribe, being millions
on nmillions of dollars. But where do the millions come from?
From the hard earnings of the oppressed and outraged South,
by the abominable and swindling tariff enactments, by which
a poor man in our section is made to pay more than a millionaire nabob, like Astor, of the North, but to which we have so
long and so patiently submitted, that it seems " sufferance has
become the badge of all the South." But what a magnanimous
offer coming especially from her own sons. First they propose
to rob her, and by the robbery to protect her! Bribery is at
best but a base resort. Sometimes allowed in a state of open
war, but admitted then to be of equivocal propriety. I
object, however, to its effects in the reaction It is a common
saying, that those who seek to bribe, are themselves fit subjects
of bribery, which for its wisdom has long since passed into a
proverb. It is, moreover, a barefaced attempt at the prostitution of the patronage of the Union government, which you
profess to reverence so much, and as such, deserves the reprobation of a brave and patriotic people. Under its baneful
influence we have not seen the rights of the South acknowledged, nor the progress of hostile aggressions checked; but
many voices once eloquent in behalf of the South, have been
silenced on the subject of her wrongs, and the measure of
redress for her grievances; many a strong arm ready to strike
for her deliverance, palsied; many a bold spirit quieted down toa
peaceful submission. Our fathers formed this government,
and in its purity fondly hoped for its perpetuity; for in their
august presence the hideous form of bribery and corruption
would sneak away, and hide itself. But now we are told it
can only live, and move, and have its being in corruption,
and its fetid stench is the only patriotic odor we may snuff.
Now, when I hear men of the South," in courteous and
diplomatic language, speak of controlling our Northern enemies
through the government patronage, I can but think, alas a for
the devoted South, that her enemies are in her midst. Where,
then, do we stand to.day? The South has not only submitted
to be excluded from the common territories of the Union, but
to see the Union government in reference to its territories won
mainly by her blood, paid for mainly by her treasure, "bind
the wreath of victory around the brow of the conqueror, and
not only assure his victorious followers," and their seetion,
537