Sometimes it is said that this movement is dangerous to the Union. In this solicitude I cannot share. As a lover of concord, and a jealous partisan of all that makes for peace, I am always glad to express my attachment to the Union; but I believe that this bond will be most truly preserved and most beneficently extended (for I shrink from no expansion where Freedom leads the way) by firmly upholding those principles of Liberty and Justice which were its early corner-stones. The true danger to this Union proceeds not from any abandonment of the "peculiar institution" of the South, but from the abandonment of the spirit in which the Union was formed,--not from any warfare upon Slavery within the limits of the Constitution, but from warfare upon Freedom, like that waged by this very bill. The Union is most precious; but more precious far are that "general welfare," that "domestic tranquillity," and those "blessings of Liberty" which it was established to secure,--all which are now wantonly endangered. Not that I love the Union less, but Freedom more, do I now, in pleading this great cause, insist that Freedom, at all hazards, shall be preserved. The great master, Shakespeare, who with all-seeing mortal eye observed mankind, and with immortal pen depicted the manners as they rise, has presented a scene which may be read with advantage by all who would plunge the South into tempestuous quarrel with the North. I refer to the well-known passage between Brutus and Cassius. Reading this remarkable dialogue, it is difficult not to see in Brutus our own North, and in Cassius the South. "_Cas._ Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further. * * * * * "_Bru._ Hear me, for I will speak. Must I give way and room to your rash choler? * * * * * "_Cas._ O ye gods! ye gods! must I endure all this? "_Bru._ All this? Ay, more: fret, till your proud heart break: _Go, show your slaves how choleric you are, And make your bondmen tremble._ Must I budge? Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch Under your testy humor? * * * * * "_Cas._ Do not presume too much upon my love; I may do that I shall be sorry for. "_Bru._ _You have done that you should be sorry for._ There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats; For I am armed so strong in honesty, That they pass by me as the idle wind, Which I respect not. * * * * * "_Cas._ A friend should bear his friend's infirmities, But Brutus makes mine greater than they are. "_Bru._ I do not, TILL YOU PRACTISE THEM ON ME. "CAS. You love me not. "_Bru._ I do not like your faults."