In this powerful speech, Emerson Etheridge raises his voice in opposition to secession and calls for unity in the face of the growing crisis that would soon lead to the Civil War. With stirring language and a deep belief in the strength of the American union, Etheridge reminds his fellow legislators of the stakes of their decisions. This historical document is an important reminder of the courage and conviction needed to stand up for one's beliefs, even in the face of great opposition.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.