THE WORLD'S FAMOUS ORATIONS
the Roman people, every expenditure of its treasure, and every appeal to the old recollections and the old glories? Sir, a senator, himself learned far more than myself in such lore [Mr. Fessenden[1]], tells me, in a voice that I am glad is audible, that he would have been hurled from the Tarpeian rock.
When we subjugate South Carolina, what shall we do? We shall compel its obedience to the Constitution of the United States; that is all. Why play upon words? We do not mean, we never have said, any more. If it be slavery that men should obey the Constitution their fathers fought for, let it be so. If it be freedom, it is freedom equally for them and for us. We propose to subjugate rebellion into loyalty; we propose to subjugate insurrection into peace ; we propose to subjugate Confederate anarchy into constitutional Union liberty. The senator well knows that we propose no more. I ask him — I appeal to his better judgment now — what does he imagine we intend to do, if fortunately we conquer Tennessee or South Carolina — call it "conquer," if you will, sir — what do we propose to do?
- ↑ Blaine relates that Breckenridge understood this suggestion to come from Sumner instead of Fessenden, and in his reply to Baker bitterly denounced Sumner, who looked surprised, but having be- come accustomed to abuse from the South, said nothing. When next day it was shown by the Globe that Mr. Fessenden was the offender, Mr. Breckenridge neither "apologized to Mr. Sumner nor attacked the senator from Maine."
