the foundation with the proper material—­the granite; then comes the brick or the marble.  The substratum of our society is made of the material fitted by nature for it; and by experience we know that it is best not only for the superior race, but for the inferior race, that it should be so.  It is, indeed, in conformity with the ordinance of the Creator.  It is not for us to inquire into the wisdom of His ordinances, or to question them.  For His own purposes He has made one race to differ from another, as He has made “one star to differ from another star in glory.”  The great objects of humanity are best attained when there is conformity to His laws and decrees, in the formation of governments as well as in all things else.  Our Confederacy is founded upon principles in strict conformity with these views.  This stone, which was rejected by the first builders, “is become the chief of the corner,” the real “corner-stone” in our new edifice. * * *

Mr. Jefferson said in his inaugural, in 1801, after the heated contest preceding his election, that there might be differences of opinion without differences of principle, and that all, to some extent, had been Federalists, and all Republicans.  So it may now be said of us that, whatever differences of opinion as to the best policy in having a cooperation with our border sister slave States, if the worst came to the worst, as we were all cooperationists, we are all now for independence, whether they come or not. * * *

We are a young republic, just entering upon the arena of nations; we will be the architects of our own fortunes.  Our destiny, under Providence, is in our own hands.  With wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship on the part of our public men, and intelligence, virtue, and patriotism on the part of the people, success to the full measure of our most sanguine hopes may be looked for.  But, if unwise counsels prevail, if we become divided, if schisms arise, if dissensions spring up, if factions are engendered, if party spirit, nourished by unholy personal ambition, shall rear its hydra head, I have no good to prophesy for you.  Without intelligence, virtue, integrity, and patriotism on the part of the people, no republic or representative government can be durable or stable.

JOHN C. BRECKENRIDGE, and EDWARD D. BAKER

JOHN C. BRECKENRIDGE, OF KENTUCKY, (BORN 1825, DIED 1875),

EDWARD D. BAKER, OF OREGON, (BORN 1811, DIED 1861)

On suppression of insurrection,

United states senate, August I, 1861.

Mr. Breckenridge.  I do not know how the Senate may vote upon this question; and I have heard some remarks which have dropped from certain Senators which have struck me with so much surprise, that I desire to say a few words in reply to them now.