CLAY the Union, binding themselves by that indis- soluble bond. It is to remain for that posterity now and for ever. Like another of the great relations of private life, it was a marriage that no human authority can dissolve or divorce the parties from; and, if I may be allowed to refer to this same example in private life, let us say what man and wife say to each other : ' ' We have mutual faults; nothing in the form of human beings can be perfect. Let us then be kind to each other, forbearing, conceding; let us live in happiness and peace." Mr. President, I have said what I solemnly believe — that the dissolution of the Union and •> war are identical and inseparable; that they are^ / convertible terms. * J .**■" Such a war, too, as that would be, following vj the dissolution of the Union! Sir, we majr Y search the pages of history, and none so furious^jr so bloody, so implacable, so exterminating, fronry the wars of Greece down, including those of the Commonwealth of England, and the Revolution of France — none, none of them raged with such violence, or was ever conducted with such blood- shed and enormities, as will that war which shall follow that disastrous event — if that event ever' happens — of dissolution. And what would be its termination? Stand- ing armies and navies, to an extent draining the revenues of each portion of the dissevered empire, would be created; exterminating wara- would follow — not a war of two, nor three years, 101
