SPEECH. Mr. President
Undertaking now,
after a silence of
more
than four years, to address the Senate on this important subject, I should suppress the emotions natural to such an occadid not declare on the threshold my gratitude to that Supreme Being, through whose benign care I am enabled, after
sion, if I
and many changes, once again to resume my and to speak for the cause which is so near my heart. To the honored Commonwealth whose representative I am, and also to my immediate associates in this body, with whom I enjoy the fellowship which is found in thinking alike concerning the Republic, I owe thanks which I seize this moment
much
suffering
duties here,
shown me throughout the proby medical skill and I trust that it not be thought unbecoming in me to put on record here,
to express for the indulgence
tracted seclusion enjoined will
as an apology for leaving
making way, by
my
seat so long vacant, without
resignation, for a successor, that I acted
under
the illusion of an invalid, whose hopes for restoration to his natural health constantly triumphed over his disappointments.
When last I entered into this debate, it became my duty to expose the Crime against Kansas, and to insist upon the immediate admission of that Territory as a State of this Union, with a Constitution forbidding Slavery. Time has passed but the
Eesuming the
question remains. left
am happy may venture
it,
said,
I
to
avow
discussion precisely
to fix the boundaries of
have no personal
where I
that rule of moderation, which,
griefs to utter
wisdom
it is
itself.
I
only a barbarous egotism
could intrude these into this chamber. '
I have
no personal
avenge only a barbarous nature could attempt to wield that vengeance which belongs to the Lord. The years that have intervened, and the tombs that have been opened,
wrongs
to
since I spoke,
have their voices
too,
which I can not
fail
