Gentlemen, I have true pleasure in saying that I trust the crisis has in some measure passed by.  The doctrines of nullification have received a severe and stern rebuke from public opinion.  The general reprobation of the country has been cast upon them.  Recent expressions of the most numerous branch of the national legislature are decisive and imposing.  Everywhere, the general tone of public feeling is for the Constitution.  While much will be yielded—­every thing, almost, but the integrity of the Constitution, and the essential interests of the country—­to the cause of mutual harmony and mutual conciliation, no ground can be granted, not an inch, to menace and bluster.  Indeed, menace and bluster, and the putting forth of daring, unconstitutional doctrines, are, at this very moment, the chief obstacles to mutual harmony and satisfactory accommodation.  Men cannot well reason, and confer, and take counsel together, about the discreet exercise of a power, with those who deny that any such power rightfully exists, and who threaten to blow up the whole Constitution if they cannot otherwise get rid of its operation.  It is matter of sincere gratification, Gentlemen, that the voice of this great State has been so clear and strong, and her vote all but unanimous, on the most interesting of these occasions, in the House of Representatives.  Certainly, such respect to the Union becomes New York.  It is consistent with her interests and her character.  That singularly prosperous State, which now is, and is likely to continue to be, the greatest link in the chain of the Union, will ever be, I am sure, the strongest link also.  The great States which lie in her neighborhood agreed with her fully in this matter.  Pennsylvania, I believe, was loyal to the Union, to a man; and Ohio raises her voice, like that of a lion, against whatsoever threatens disunion and dismemberment.  This harmony of sentiment is truly gratifying.  It is not to be gainsaid, that the union of opinion in this great central mass of our population, on this momentous point of the Constitution, augurs well for our future prosperity and security.

I have said, Gentlemen, what I verily believe to be true, that there is no danger to the Union from open and avowed attacks on its essential principles.  Nothing is to be feared from those who will march up boldly to their own propositions, and tell us that they mean to annihilate powers exercised by Congress.  But, certainly, there are dangers to the Constitution, and we ought not to shut our eyes to them.  We know the importance of a firm and intelligent judiciary; but how shall we secure the continuance of a firm and intelligent judiciary?  Gentlemen, the judiciary is in the appointment of the executive power.  It cannot continue or renew itself.  Its vacancies are to be filled in the ordinary modes of executive appointment.  If the time shall ever come (which Heaven avert), when men shall be placed in the supreme tribunal of the country, who entertain opinions hostile