Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 9.djvu/132

 THE WORLD'S FAMOUS ORATIONS that case California will become the test question. If you admit her under all the difficulties that oppose her admission, you compel us to infer that you intend to exclude us from the whole of the acquired Territories, with the intention of destroying irretrievably the equilibrium be- tween the two sections. We should be blind not to perceive in that case that your real objects are power and aggrandizement, and infatuated, not to act accordingly. I have now, senators, done my duty in ex- pressing my opinions fully, freely, and candidly on this solemn occasion. In doing so I have been governed by the motives which have gov- erned me in all the stages of the agitation of the slavery question since its commencement. I have exerted myself during the whole period to arrest it, with the intention of saving the Union if it could be done ; and if it could not, to save the section where it has pleased providence to cast my lot, and which I sincerely believe has justice and the Constitution on its side. Having faithfully done my duty to the best of my ability, both to the Union and my section, throughout this agitation, I shall have the con- solation, let what will come, that I am free from aU responsibility. 122