Daily National Democrat

Gen. Shields on Coercion.

In his lecture on the life and character of Gen. Jackson, delivered in Sacramento, on Wednesday evening, Gen. Shields took strong grounds for the Union, but was quite emphatic against coercion. Here is what he said:

Here is a State in open rebellion against the Government, one of the most powerful governments in the world, and yet men dare not execute the laws. You cannot save the American Union by bayonets and cannon, by battles and slaughter. You may subjugate and destroy, but you cannot preserve in that way. The man in Washington who in the present condition of the country undertakes to recommend such a course is a fanatic or a fool.

The lecture was delivered in Sacramento instead of San Francisco, on Wednesday evening, and Gen. Shields did not say whether he was for coercion or not. Here is what he did say, and we give the Express's extract together with the context, in order that his meaning may be more thoroughly arrived at. We think that his language bears the interpretation that he is in favor of the execution of the laws, as against individuals, not being in favor of war against a State, as such.

This is what he says:

I scarcely know how to express my feelings for the man who at this stage declares for the North or for the South, or that he will not do anything. I tell you—well, I won't say too much, ladies and gentlemen, for this gentleman [the reporter] is putting it all down. [Laughter.] I do not want a mutilated Republic. I want the whole.—Some men say, "Let South Carolina go!" I give you my word that, if I am ever called upon to select an army, I will leave all such men out of the ranks. The man who talks in that way thinks he is a gallant, heroic fellow. "Let South Carolina go, she is only an annoyance, anyhow!" The man does not see far into that millstone. I am a military man in a small way, and I tell you if one regiment can rise up in mutiny and be permitted to march out of the camp, with colors flying and drums beating, I would not give a pinch of snuff for the army it leaves behind. [Applause.]

I do not know how Andrew Jackson would act in this crisis; I dare not say—But I believe that at any hazard he would execute the laws, and let the consequences be what they may. [Applause.] Not only would he execute the laws, but I believe he would do it effectively and successfully. Do you think you have any other man in the United States that dare execute the laws? Here is a State in open rebellion against the Government, one of the most powerful Governments in the world, and yet men dare not execute the laws. You cannot save the American Union by bayonets and cannon, by battles and slaughter. You may subjugate and destroy, but you cannot preserve in that way. The man in Washington who in the present condition of the country undertakes to recommend such a course is a fanatic or a fool. Look at the facts and find the reasons for yourselves. Why cannot you go and take away those mad men who are pulling down the pillars of the Government? Because? Because we ourselves have been burrowing under its foundations for twenty years. I have no right to give you advice but this is a time when a man ought to be licensed to speak a little plainly and freely. And, in God's name, why does not California, this almost new Pacific world, send an appeal across these Rocky mountains to her brethren on the Atlantic, in favor of this Union. Republicans, Bell men, Douglas men, Breckinridge men! why not rise above party for the moment, and send to your Eastern brethren, not a Northern appeal or a Southern appeal, but a great continental appeal? Let the Pacific call upon the Atlantic in favor of the Union of this great American Republic. [Applause.] I do not despair of this country or this Government. As soon would I despair of human liberty itself. States may go out, and there may even be what is called dissolution. But you never can have a Southern and a Northern Republic. You can draw no such line on this continent. Nature has forbidden it. There must be union or disintegration. God forbid such a calamity.

I will not venture too much in that line of prophecy, but my opinion is that these parties, Breckinridge, Douglas, Republican and so on, will have very little existence six months hence. In fact, I am not sure that they are not all dead already, and perhaps it is time they should be. [Laughter.] As I have retired to private life, and am no longer a politician, I may as well let you into a secret. I think you will see, before many months, springing from these wrecks of party, as the saving spirit of the nation, one great American, Union, Conservative party, a party that will select its own leaders—and both Northern destructives and Southern destructives will share the same fate, and be extinguished forever. I do not despair of this Government, even if ten States should withdraw, for the race which originally constructed it is capable of its reconstruction—But here, in this new State, you should hold an even balance between the sections. Men of all sections fought for this soil, paid their money for it, and it has been open, open for the settlement of all. For God's sake, then, let not this great and new State take up a position untrue to the whole Union. [Applause.] I think God will not suffer this Government to go down. A dissolution of the Union would be Mexico over again, but ten times worse. Civil war in this country would be too fearful to contemplate. We have a great work to do, in the hands of God's Providence, both on this continent and in the old world, on the other side of the Pacific. Put not your trust in politicians, or in presses, or anything else, but go back to the heart of the people. The people, and they only, can save the Union. [Applause.]