"I have great confidence," said he, "in the strength of the Union.

Every now and then I hear that it is about to tumble to pieces; that somebody is going to introduce a new plank into the platform, and if he does, the Union must tumble down; until at last I begin to think it is such a rickety old platform that it is impossible to prop it up.

But then I bring my own judgment to bear, instead of relying on witnesses, and I come to the conclusion that the Union is strong and safe--strong in its power as well as in the affections of the people." The debate made it very plain that it was not reconciliation but domination which the South wanted.

So in due time (May 25) the Jefferson Davis resolutions, affirming the "property" theory and the "protection" doctrine, were passed by a large majority of the Democratic Senators.
[Sidenote] June 18, 1860.
When the Charleston Convention proper reassembled at Baltimore, it was seen that the programme laid out by Jefferson Davis and others in their published address had been adopted.

The seceders had met at Richmond, taken a recess, and now appeared at Baltimore making application for readmission.