Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 9.djvu/82

 THE WORLD'S FAMOUS ORATIONS grandchildren would cry out shame upon us, if we, of this generation, should dishonor these ensigns of the power of the government and the J harmony of that Union, which is every day felt among us with so much joy and gratitude. What As to become of the army ? What is to become of the navy? What is to become of the public lands? How is any one of the thirty States to defend itself? Sir, we could not sit down here to-day, and draw a line of separation that would satisfy any five men in the country. There are natural causes that would keep and tie us together; and there are social and domestic relations which we could not break if we would, and which we should not if we could. Sir, nobody can look over the face of this country at the present moment, nobody can see jrwhere its population is the most dense and grow- ^ ing, without being ready to admit, and compelled to admit, that ere long the strength of America will be in the valley of the Mississippi. Well, now, sir, I beg to inquire what the wildest en- thusiast has to say on the possibility of cutting that river in two, and leaving free States at its source and on its branches, and slave States down near its mouth, each forming a separate government ? Pray, sir, let me say to the people of this country, that these things are worthy of their pondering and of their consideration. Here, sir, are five millions of freemen in the free States north of the river Ohio. 72