These, Mr. President, are grave questions. I prepose to answer them plainly — boldly — not as a partisan, but as a patriot; and for the Opinions which I shall this night avow, I alone am responsible. I speak not to please, but to instruct, to warn, to arouse, and, if it be not presumption, to save, while to be saved is yet possible. The time for plain anglo-saxon out-speaking is come. Let us hear no more the lullaby of peace, when there is no peace; but rather the Sharp clang of the trumpet stirring to battle; at least, the alarm bell in the night, when the house is on fire over our heads. Or, better still, give us warning while the incendiary is yet stealing, with whispering and most guilty diligence, and ?aming torch, toward our dwelling, that we may be ready and armed against his approach.