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1 Luther C. Carter, State of the Union: Speech of Hon. Luther C. Carter, of New York, in the House of Representatives, February 27, 1861 1 (1861)

handle is hein.slavery/stunlcart0001 and id is 1 raw text is: STATE OF THE UNION. SPEECH OF HON. LUTHER C. CARTER, OF NEW YORK, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 27, 1861. The House having under consideration the report from the select committee of thirty-three- Mr. CARTER said: Mr. SPEAKER: I know there are many questions more or less connected with the subject now under discussion before this House; but as they all os- tebsibly grow out of the offense taken by the South at the election of a Republican as chief executive officer of the nation, for the next four years, I pro- pose to first say a few words on this subject, be- fore proceeding to investigate those more imme- diately named as matters of dispute. Sir, it is not my intention to weary, by the length of my remarks, those gentlemen who may courteously give me their attention; for, in truth, I have felt so little disposed to enter the arena of political combat, that nothing but a sense of duty to my constituents and the common interests of our country could have impelled me to the at- tempt. Called home unexpectedly since the com- mencemeht of this session, by a summons which admitted of no delay, I had scarcely entered my dwelling ere I was brought face to face with death, and thus made to realize the emptiness and inse- curity of earth's fairest promises. In the first hours of that crushing grief, when called upon to yield to Him who gavemy youngest born, the light of my household, I felt that my work, like hers, wasended; but as I stood by her child-grave, the solemn thought intruded that, if it were really ended, then I also should be going with her down to that narrow house. The rebuke was timely; it checked my impatient grief; and in that place of graves I silently resolved not to yield to its destroy- ing influence; but rather, by God's help,to work on still, while life remained, diligently seeking to do the duty of the hour, whatever that might be, that so, when my summons did come, I might be ready to give an accountof my stewardship. In the discharge of that duty, I address you to-day; and though my words may be but few, I will endeavor that they shall be to the point. As regards, then, this vexed question of Presi- dent, I believe all men at this day admit, that ournational Constitution is the great charter of our rights, the basis of all our laws, and the very ark of safety for all who owe allegiance to our Gov- ernment, or seek protection beneath the folds of our national flag. How does ildeclare that a Presi- dent shall be elected? Sir, I am not going to inflict a r7sumf of its provisions upon those present, as I take it for granted that they are perfectly familiar to all within the sound of my voice. I shall con- tent myself by simply asking: have not those pro- visions been complied with in this instance? And ifso, of what do gentlemen complain ? Surely not that Mr. Lincoln (regardful of the proprieties of life, and the requirements of his high position) has carefully abstained from arrogating to himself power that, as yet, was not rightfully his. Neither can they justly accuse him of any declaration of intentions hostile to any section of that fair land over which he is soon to preside as its Chief Mag- istrate. Elected on constitutional grounds, with a past record that the ablest man on this floor might well be proud of; a man of known integ- rity, conceded judgment, and much steadiness ot purpose; possessing, also, such a reputation for legal capacity,as,if merited, may well make him a sound interpreter of his constitutional rights and power as President, what is there, what can there be, so very alarming in the elevation of such a man to that responsible office, as to make gentle- men in this House declare that they do not con- sider their State rights safe beneath his jurisdic- tion? But, sir, even admitting that their fears had any foundation in fact, (which I deny,) would that justify them in acts of treason against the Gov- ernment-that Government to which their alle- giance must be sworn ere they can stand up in this House and make declarations inimical to it? Sir, I hold that the Constitution of the United States is supreme over all who hold office under it;alike powerful to prevent encroachment on any right which it guarantees, as to protect its faith- ful ministers in the full execution of their several duties, as declared by its provisions. If this be so, wherefore should the election of Mr. Lincoln be declared a sufficient cause for the disruption of this Union? Sir, it is a declaration too absurd for belief; a declaration not believed in, even by

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