Can we realize it?  Is it a masquerade, to last for a night, or a reality to be dealt with, with the world’s rough passionate handling?  It is sad and bad enough; but let us not over-tax our anxieties about it as yet.  It is not the sanguinary regime of the French revolution; not the rule of assignats and guillotine; not the cry of “Vivent les Rouges!  A mort les gendarmes!” but as yet, I hope I may say, the peaceful attempt to withdraw from the burdens and benefits of the Republic.  Thus it is unlike every other revolution.  Still it is revolution.  It may, according as it is managed, involve consequences more terrific than any revolution since government began.

If the Federal Government is to be maintained, its strength must not be frittered away by conceding the theory of secession.  To concede secession as a right, is to make its pathway one of roses and not of thorns.  I would not make its pathway so easy.  If the government has any strength for its own preservation, the people demand it should be put forth in its civil and moral forces.  Dealing, however, with a sensitive public sentiment, in which this strength reposes, it must not be rudely exercised.  It should be the iron hand in the glove of velvet.  Firmness should be allied with kindness.  Power should assert its own prerogative, but in the name of law and love.  If these elements are not thus blended in our policy, as the Executive proposes, our government will prove either a garment of shreds or a coat of mail.  We want neither. * * *

Before we enter upon a career of force, let us exhaust every effort at peace.  Let us seek to excite love in others by the signs of love in ourselves.  Let there be no needless provocation and strife.  Let every reasonable attempt at compromise be considered.  Otherwise we have a terrible alternative.  War, in this age and in this country, sir, should be the ultima ratio.  Indeed, it may well be questioned whether there is any reason in it for war.  What a war!  Endless in its hate, without truce and without mercy.  If it ended ever, it would only be after a fearful struggle; and then with a heritage of hate which would forever forbid harmony. * * *

Small States and great States; new States and old States; slave States and free States; Atlantic States and Pacific States; gold and silver States; iron and copper States; grain States and lumber States; river States and lake States;—­all having varied interests and advantages, would seek superiority in armed strength.  Pride, animosity, and glory would inspire every movement.  God shield our country from such a fulfilment of the prophecy of the revered founders of the Union!  Our struggle would be no short, sharp struggle.  Law, and even religion herself, would become false to their divine purpose.  Their voice would no longer be the voice of God, but of his enemy.  Poverty, ignorance, oppression, and its hand-maid, cowardice, breaking out into merciless