American Loyalty (1893)

8/2/2019 American Loyalty (1893)

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AMERICANLOYALTY.

WASHINGTONFOUNDER,WEBSTEREXPOUNDER

OFTHE

FEDERALCONSTITUTION.

ANADDRESS,

(DeliveredJune20th,1893;duringCommencementExercisesoftheUniversityofGeorgia,byinvita-tionoftheAlumniSociety,andpublishedatitsrequest.

BYHENRYR.JACKSON,LL.D.

SAVANNAH,GA.1893.

LadiesandGentlemen:

TheorationofMr.ChaunceyM.Depewonthehun-dredthanniversaryoftheinaugurationofPresidentWashingtonsuggestedtheremarksIamnowabout

tomake.Ihadhopedtoutterthemortheirlike,veryshortlyafterthathistoricoccasion,beforeanotheracademicinstitution.Disappointedinthis,andsub-sequentlyhonoredbytheinvitationwhichhasbroughtmehither,afterserioushesitancybecauseofthelapseoftime,Ihaveconcludedthatitwillnotbepossibleformetodobetterthantoofferthemhere.

Itoughtcertainlytogowithoutsaying,Ithink,that,DanielWebsterdead,thefirstcentennialcel-ebrationofWashington'sinaugurationcouldbutbeincomplete.IthadtheMaster'sownspecialworkforthegreatestword-painterthatevertilledtherostrum.

Belonging,notlesstotheSouthernthantotheEast-ern,NorthernorWesternStates,theoccasionitselfhaditsownspecialneedofascatholicapatriotaseverfacedanAmericanaudience.Howsadly,then,diditrecalltheoratorwhoaboveallothersbyhisutterances,andthestatesmanwho,evenmoresignallyinhiscareer,hadillustratedthedistinctiveAmericanmeaningofthewordLoyalty!Nodictionarygivesit.NoahWebster,ofA.D.1859,definesthewordthus:Loyal,a.Truetoplightedfaith,dutyor


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love,asaloyalsubject,aloyalwife.Loyalty,n.Fidelitytoaprinceorsovereign,ortoahusbandorlover.

But,sinceJuly4th,1776,forthepeopleoftheNorthAmericanStateSovereignties,therehadbeennoprince!Didthedeclarersofindependence,andtheframersoftheconstitution,whentheyabolishedprinces,abolishalsoloyalty?DidtheykillthenerveofthatgovernmentalforcewhichdrewEuropeoutoftheNightoftheMiddleAges;givingrootandsaptotheoutgrowthoftheFeudalSystem,and,throughit,totheentiresuper-growthofmodernEuropeancivilization?alreadysomewhatoldwhentransplantedtothisnewcontinentbyourloyalfore-fathers.Itstap-rootdeadenedbytheirrebelsons,havetheleavesbegunsosoon,andappallingthought!forus,towither?

NoahWebster,ofA.D.1869,thusdefinestheword:Loyal,a.Devotedtothemaintenanceoflaw.Loyalty,n.Thestateorqualityofbeingloyal.

Thewordstillthere!butwherethepassionthatitnamed?Wholovesthelaw?WholovestheCon-stitution,StateorFederal?Whocanlovetheabstractlaw?GodpermitsustolovenothingHim-selfinnaturedidnotmake.Aman?adog?-Yes!Atree?alake?amountain?

LivesthereamanwithsoulsodeadWhonevertohimselfhathsaid.Thisismyown,mynativeland?

Butabook?acodeoflaws?astatue?WhenhasfranticyouthdrownedhimselfintheArnobecause

oflovefortheVenusdeMedici?InthetwinklingofaneyethelexicographerwouldtransportusoverdeadcenturiesofChristianEuropeanhistorybacktothelivingPaganlanguagewhichhasgivenroottoaworditdidnothaveitself;andhaditnotbecausetheFeudalpassionhadnoplaceinthePagansoul.Itdidnotspeak,atThermopylae,inthemessage:Traveller,tellitinLacedaemonthatwefellhereinobediencetoherlaws.ItwasnotatRomeneargreatCaesar,when,withettuBruteonhislips,hedied.Andwhen,toavertidealdangerfromhi&imperialmaster,AntinoussprangintotheNile,thedazedclassicintellect,vainlyseekingtheimpulsein

emotionknownbeneaththesun,locateditabovethestars;apotheosizedthesuicide,andthehumblepagebecameaPagangod.Apotheosisstartlinglyexcep-tionaltotheotherwiseexceptionlessruleofthePaganMythology!whichhadalreadycrowdeditsOlympuswithdivinities,eachofthembutareflectionofsomeself-assertingattributeofmerehumannature;show-ingthatthecivilizationoftheGreekandtheRomanwhichhadprobablycarriedphilosophicthought,andartconceptionandexecution,totheirculminating


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pointseveninthisitslatterday,wasstillalivetotheold,pre-historic,yearningofearthdiscontentforsomethingassumedmayitnothavebeenfelt?tobeintheultimateheaven.Formodern,probably;nay!comparativelyspeaking,very,very,verymod-ern,possibly,thereporteddialoguebetweenthetwoAthenians,who,standinguponthetop-mostpeakeverscaledbythepureintellectofearthwitharmsout-stretchedintothethin,coldair,andeyesupturnedtothecold,unsympatheticstarsexclaimed,

SOCRATESAmanmustcometotellusmore.AlcibiadesHecannotcometoosoon.Wasnotthis,probably,butrepetitionofwhathadalreadyoccurred,nay!hadbeenoccurring,andcast-ingitsshadowintraditionbackward?thepiling,forexample,ofPelionandOssauponOlympustoscalecelestialwalls,followedbythedescentofthemountainsuponthegiantsofEarth;thebuildingofthetowerofBabel,followedbytheconfusionoftongues;thestealingbytheafterwardrock-held,vul-turedevouredPrometheusforEarthofthefireofHeaven.Notthuswasittocome!Andwhenitdidinfactcometoteachbythebirthinastable,and

thedeathuponacross,thatThefoolishnessofGodiswiserthanmen;theweaknessofGodisstrongerthanmen;andthustofortifythefinitemindofManagainstthatGod-annihilatingcrazewhich,butforthisinterpositionofHeaven,musthaveindubita-blyfollowedthethenapproachingtelescopicrevela-tionofthematerialinfinite,thelessonwastooanni-hilatingoftheself-sufficiencyofapurelyintellectualcivilizationforacceptancebyit.OnceagainthegiantofEarthroseHeaven-defying;andonceagaindowncametheimprecatedmountaininform,assuredly,notunprecedented!LettheexhumationsbyourowngenerationinAsiaMinorbeartestimony!sidebyside

withtheexhumationsbymanygenerationsinRome;notaloneonPalatine-hill,butthroughouttheentiresiteofthemodernandallovertheCampagna,sitealsooftheancientcityoritssuburbsexhumationsofthebeautifulbonesofadeadcivilization,scarcecolderindeaththanitwasinlife,wheretheylayburied,bynoabrasionofanAlp,itistrue,bynoVesuvianeruption,but,literally,bytheslowdrift-ingsofthedustofages!nohandsoactiveastobrushitaside;notastesolivingastoremovethethingofbeautytobeajoyforeverinsomehumanhome!WhenitsshadowscouldthusrestsoheavilyupontheEternalCity,howdarkover

Europegenerallyandespeciallythosevastprovinceswhichlayoutofsightofthefewotherminorcenterswherethemonkcouldkeephistaperburninghowdarkmusthavebeenthatmediaevalnight!

IntheHeathen,andinthePagan,and,heretofore,intheChristianworld;and,hereafter,ifthesombrepicturevaticinatedbyMacauleyoftheNewZea-landerstandinguponLondonBridgeandsketchingtheruinsofSt.Paulshallberealized,howclosely


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doesthelifeofsociety,ortheaggregate-man,assimilatetothatoftheunit-man?inbirth,child-hood,youth,maturity,decrepitude,anddeath?thecivilizationsandthebarbarismsoftheone,tothegoodhabitsandthebadhabitsoftheother?nohabitandnocivilizationtobedisplacedbyacoupdemain,oracoupd'etat;noryetbyamiraclefromHeaven!tobeconqueredonlybythegradualsubstitutionofanother.Andtheprocess,howlikethemovementofanarmedinvasion?capturingterritory,holdingit,extendingit,losingit;recapturingit,timesandtimesagainwithoutnumber,untilthefinalresultshallhavebeenreachedintheabsorptionortheexterminationoftheonebytheother.

Andthedissolutionofacivilization,howlikethedecompositionofacorpse!startingmorequicklyatthispoint,progressingmorerapidlyatthat,andyetbygradationonlypossessingitselfofall.Disintegra-tionofsociety,ortheaggregate-mats',bytheindi-vidualizationoftheunit-manunderthebrutalizingdespotismofself!processwhich,oncewellunderway,canbearrested,intheverynatureofthings,onlybyextrinsicforce.Andwhenhasthisever

occurredIBut,unlessarrested,progressingwiththecertaintyoffateitselftobarbarismashideousinthemysteriesofitsgloomasisthedarknessofthegraveitself;raylessnight!fromwhichthephilo-sophichistorianfallsbaffledback,andleavestoad-venturousspeculationtheuncertainattempttogiveanythingofformorfixationtowhatexistedortran-spiredwithinitsCimmerianbosom.Andwhereshallspeculationseekafoot-holduponwhichtocatchun-lessitcanbefoundinpossibleassimilationtosome-thingwhichhascomewithinsightofourownday?thecondition,forexample,oftheearth-manofAfrica,asreported;oroftheroot-eatingIndian,aswefound

himamongtheRockyMountains;worshippingno-thing,lovingnothingthemanbuthimself,thewomanlovingheroffspringasthecow:loveshercalf.Uponhumanitythusbrutalizeditisaltogetherclearthatnothingbutbruteforcethesuperiormuscleofthephysicalarm,thesuperiornerve-pluckofthematerialbraincouldtell.Andthis,doubtless,be-cameactiveintherobber-knight,wholashedhisserforslaveintosubjection.Doesitnotseemthat,inthelifeofMan,thetwoextremesmustalwaystoucheachother'?Forrighthere,astheeffectofalawwhichwouldappearatleastsincetheadventofourSaviourtobeasinexorableasitisuniversal;that,

wherevertwohumancreaturesshallbethrowntogetherinthepersonalrelationshipofMasterandSlave,BaronandVassal,SovereignandSubject,mutualin-terest,sympathy,affection,lovewillshootoutfromtheonetotheotherasnaturallyasgrasssproutsfromtheearth:co-operatingwithyetanotherlawofuni-versalpotencyevenyetmoreassured;thatlovebeitbuttheloveofamanforhisdog!inasmuchasitdrawshimoutofhimself,elevateshimuponthescaleofhumanity;righthereweareprobablycontemplat-


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ingtheflashingoutofthefirstsparkoftheChristiancivilization,atlasttriumphant,fromthedetestablegraveoftheeldercivilizations.Righthere,sayI,wearestandingatthebirth-timeandthebirthplaceofmodernEuropeanloyalty.Wasthefirstscreamofthenew-bornbabeannouncementtotheworldthat,Heaven'sgovernmentofManhavingbeenmadebyin-carnationofthedivineattributeoflovepersonal,Earth'sgovernmentofManmustbequickenedbythesamecelestialpotency,andmustbealsopersonal?Terrificquestion!uponwhichwe,Americans,havebeenandstillarethemostconspicuousexperimen-ters.

Needlessforme,withsuchanaudience,tofollowcloselythephilosophichistorianofModernEuropeanCivilizationforthepurposeofshowingthat,forcentu-riesofitsdevelopment,tohavewithdrawnfromitthatgovernmentalforceofwhichloyalty*wasindeedthespinalnervewouldhavebeenlikecuttingofffromnostrilsthevitalizingair.Andhownaturalwasthatdevelopment?Beginningwiththefirstshootingsfromtheearth,whichdrewtheindividualintothefamily,tothemultitudinousinter-twiningsofroots

andinter-lacingsofbranches,whichdrewthefamilyintothebarony,andthebaronyintotheearldom,andtheearldomintothedukedom,andthedukedomintotheprincipality;givingtothechieforprinceofeach,consecutively,permanentfixationasapersonalityofpowerintheorganismoftheStatepast,present,futurethusmakingofeachlivingoneofthem,asitwere,butasinglelinkinachainwhichshoulddrawhimfromthepresentandoutofhimselftowardthepast,asitshouldrunglitteringbackthroughthegen-erationsofhisancestry;whichshoulddrawhimfromthepresentandoutofhimselftowardthefuture,towhichhewastotransmititstillglitteringthrough

thegenerationsofhisposterity.Wastherenothinginthisinothingtoexpandthereflecting,nothingtoennobletheemotionalbeing)nothingtofithimtobethenucleusorcynosureofsocialaggregation,itselftobecomeapermanentvitalofthenation(thevitalsofeachsuchvitaltobeheldtogetherinitsowndevelopment,andallsuchvitalstobethemselvesheldtogetherinthenational,byLoyaltycreepingfromonetotheotherandoverall,liketheivy,but,unliketheivy,burstingoutattimesintoloveliestbloom,andsheddingthecelestialfragranceofself-sacrificeoversomeofthebrightest,andyetmoreofthesaddest,pagesofEuropeanHistory.Wastherenothingin

this?

*Loyalty,generallyactivewith,butclearlydistinguishablefrom,Fealtytheonebornofthespiritual,theotheroftheintellectualnature.

Irepeat,Hownaturalwasthatdevelopment?Slowapparentlyatfirst,butprogressingwitheverac-celeratedvelocity,untilithadprobablytouchedtheperfectionofitsfruitageinthereproductionintheModernoftheIslesofGreeceintheAncient


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World.

TheIslesofGreece,theIslesofGreece,WhereburningSappholovedandsung;Wheregrewtheartsofwarandpeace;

wherethehumanintellectwasprobablyhypertro-phiedandthehumansoulwaspossiblyatrophied;theveryworld'sradiatingcentreoflearningandofpleasure;ofphilosophy,alwaysclearCequin'estpasclairn'estpasFrancais!andoffashion,alwaysfit;ofthetragicandthecomicmusetheeagleandthehumming-bird;beautiful,sparkling,kaleid-oscopic;charming,enchanting,ravishingParis!resplendentthrone!uponwhich,inthehistoricejacu-lation:L'etat!C'estmoi!TheState!ItisI!LouisQuatorzetheFeudalPrinceprobablywokethechordwhichwastosoundhisowndeath-knell.Centuriesbefore,acrossthechannel,MagnaCartahadbeenpluckedfromtheprince'sbeard.ButtheAnglo-Saxonistenacious,isconservative;andseemedbuttofondleyetmorecloselytheFeudalPassiontohisheart.Nay!truetotheinstinct,sogenerallyascribedtoJohnBull,heseemstohave

actuallyappropriatedtohimselfwhatbelongedtomodernmankind.Atleast,sotellsusthelexico-grapher.NoahWebster,of1887,givingLoyaltyas:Fidelitytoasuperior,quotesfromTrench,Englishlexicographer:Loyalty,derivedfromtheFrenchwordLoi,expressesproperlythatfidelitywhichoneowesaccordingtolaw;anddoesnotneces-sarilyincludethatattachmenttotheroyalpersonwhich,happily,weinEnglandhavebeenablefurthertothrowintotheword.

ItremainedforGeorgeWashington,puttingasidetheFeudalCrownfromhisownbrow,todeper-

sonateEarth'sgovernmentofMan,andtofixitintheabstractlaw.Hereitis!Cold,butpure!unsym-pathetic,butincorruptible!acrownedabstraction!holdingthesceptreofempireinapulselesshandtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates!Sublimecontemplation!thattheAmericanCitizenisthesub-jectonlyofthought!that,mattersnotwhoorwherehemaybe,whetherinWashingtonthenation'sChief,orfollowinghisplowinthebroadblazeofthenoon-daysunupontheWesternprairie,herecognizesnomaterialmediumbetweenhimselfandthedivinesourceofallthought,ofalllaw,ofalltruth;andthat,,whenhebendstheknee,hekneelsonlytohisGod!

Here,indeed,wasrebelliontriumphant!Here,indeed,hadbeentheveryground-swellofrevolutionwhich,tearingthroughthecomplicated,giantgrowthofnearlyathousandyears,hadtosseditsquickeningprinciple,loyalty,uponthetop-mostbillow,towardthestars!Butwastherenovacuumleftwhichhumannaturemightabhor?Wastherenodangertosociety,ortheaggregate-man,inthusagainindividualizingtheunit-man?


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sosuddenly,soviolently,sothoroughly?thuscut-tinghimofffromallorganicrelationshipwiththePastthroughhisancestry,withtheFuturethroughhisposterity;fromanythingonearthtolookupto,and,obeying,learntolove;fromanythingtolookdownupon,and,protecting,cometolove?Thusiso-latedintimeuponthatfugaciouspoint,thePresent,andinLifewithinthatpitifulinfinitesimality,Mm-self,whereindidhisownpersonalstatusdifferfromthatofhisbarbaricsire,atthemediaevalmidnight?Wastherenodangerthattheprocessofreintegration,whichhadcommencedatthatpoint,thusarrestedbyrevolution,andwhocouldsay,withassurance,notprematurely?mightnotbereversed?anddisinte-grationonceagainbegininthemidstofthemodernasithadbeguninthemidstoftheancientcivilization?Wastherenovoidhere,which,soonerorlater,mightcometoache?DidtheFoundersofourGov-ernmentnothingtofillit?Icanconceiveofnoanswertothisquestionunlessitshallbefoundinasinglesen-tencewhichIreadfromtheConstitutionof1786:TheSenatorsandRepresentativesbeforementionedandtheMembersoftheseveralStateLegisla-tures,andallExecutiveandJudicialOfficers,

bothoftheUnitedStatesandoftheseveralStates,shallbeboundbyoathtosupportthisConstitution.

IsitnotaltogetherclearthatWashingtonandhisassociatesmusthavebelievedthatthepointhadbeenreachedinthedevelopmentoftheChristianCiviliza-tion,whenitmightbesafelyassumedthatloyaltytotheprincesofthisworldhadbeenmergedandlostthroughtheprogressiveworkoftheIncarnation-inabroaderandaloftierpassion?totheextent,atleast,ofsustainingthemintheirpracticalassumptionthatitmightbedispensedwith,asavitalpotency,in

thegovernmenttheywerefounding?andthat,foritssuccessfuladministration,andforthepreserva-tionoftheAmerico-Anglo-SaxonCivilization,theymightsafelyrelyupontheoaththeoath!theoath!!theOATH!!!tobindtheofficialandthecitizentoGodinheaven,and,uponearth,tothefaithfuldis-chargeofduty?

Thecentury,overwhichMr.Depewdirectedthethoughtofhisaudience,beganwiththeinstantofthefirsttakingoftheOathtosupporttheConsti-tution.Whereindidthateventfallshortofbeingthemostsignificant,practically,intheprogressive

civilizationofMansince,attheseatofthePagan,St.PauldeclaredtheGodoftheChristian?amidtheculminationsoftheintellectualplantingthecul-minationofthespiritualthewoodencrossofCal-varyfastbythemarbletempleofMinerva;towhichdoubtlesshepointedwhenhesaid:WhomyeignorantlyworshiphimdeclareIuntoyou;Godthatmadetheworldandallthethingsthereinseeingthatheislordofheavenandearthdwellethnotintemplesmadewithhands;althoughhebenotfarfrom


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everyoneofus:Forinhimweliveandmoveandhaveourbeing.DidnottheOathitself,ofneces-sity,vitalwiththetranscendentalmeaningoftheseawfulwords--didnottheOath,alsoofnecessity,vitalizetheCivilContractofwhichitselfwastobethebindingSpiritualSealwiththecognatemorallaw,astaughtbyourSaviour?andtaught,onceagainofnecessityexhaustively,seeingthatDivinitywouldteachnothingitselfdidnotexhaust.WasnotthefirsttakingoftheOath,then,theconcentra-tingpointofinterestinthehistoricpicture?life-essenceofthesubjectwhichtheOccasionclaimedfromChaunceyM.Depew,itsOrator?Inthein-visiblepresenceinvokedbythetakingoftheOathdidnotthemajesticfigureofWashingtonhimselfshrinkintocomparativenothingness?Andyet,althoughalreadyFirstinwar,Firstinpeace,Firstintheheartsofhiscountrymen,wasnotyetanotherpremiershipofinfinitelybroaderhistoricsignifi-cancedescendinguponhisbowedhead,inthein-visiblehaloofnew-bornAmericanloyalty?Wasnotheretheexhaustivedistinctionbetweenthein-augurationofanAmericanPresidenttorulebyvirtueofaHeaven-recordedvow,bornofthereligion

ofself-crucifixion,andthecoronationofaFeudalPrincetoreignbyforceofthedivinerightofkings,bornwith,andin,himself?

Why,then,wasMr.DepewsoreticentabouttheOath?Whydidhesquanderhiseloquenceuponnamesandeventsalreadysofamiliartothenurseryandthekinder-garten,andpasssosilentlybythehis-toricsignificanceofthefirsttakingoftheOathtosupporttheConstitution?ThisquestionIanswerbypropoundinganother.ThinkyouthatMr.DepewwasatallconcernedastothesignificanceoftakinganOathtodo,ornottodo,anything,whenheuttered

thewordsofhisorationtowhichInowbegattention?

WiththefirstattempttoexercisenationalpowerbeganthedueltothedeathbetweenStateSovereignty,claimingtherighttonullifyfederallawsorsecedefromtheUnion,andthepoweroftheRepublictocommandtheresourcesofthecountrytoenforceitsauthorityandprotectitslife.Itwasthebeginningofthesixtyyears'warfortheConstitutionandthenation.Itsearedconsciences,degradedpolitics,destroyedparties,ruinedstatesmen,andretardedtheadvanceanddevelopmentofthecountry;itsacrificedhundredsofthousandsofpreciouslives,andsquan-

deredthousandsofmillionsofmoney;itdesolatedthefairestportionoftheland,andcarriedmourningintoeveryhome,NorthandSouth,butitendedatAppomattoxintheabsolutetriumphoftheRepublic.

PosterityowestoWashington'sadministrationthepolicyandmeasures,theforceanddirectionwhichmadepossiblethisgloriousresult.***Hamil-ton'smarvelousversatilityandgeniusdesignedthearmoryandtheweaponsforthepromotionofnational


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powerandgreatness,butWashington'ssteadysup-portcarriedhimthrough.***UpontheplanmarkedoutbytheConstitutionthisgreatarchitectwithunfailingfaithandunfalteringcouragebuildedtheRepublic.Hegavetothegovernmenttheprinci-plesofactionandsourcesofpowerwhichcarrieditsuccessfullythroughthewarwithGreatBritainin1812andMexicoin1848,whichenabledJacksontodefeatnullification,andrecruitedandequippedmil-lionsofmenforLincoln,andjustifiedandsustainedhisProclamationofEmancipation.OrationsandAfterDinnerSpeechesofChaunceyM.Depeic,pp.25,26,27.

Throughthethin,phosphorescentglamourofMr.Depew'srhetoricwho,bypossibility,canfailtodetecthisattempttosubstituteforthetruthofhistoryafabricationofhisownbrain,asnotablyimbecileasitwastransparentlyfalse?Imbecile?Weneedbutconfrontitwithonemajesticmemory.UponwhoseshouldersdescendedthemantleofHamilton,ifnotuponWebster's?Along-protractedwardidin-deedbeginbeforeWashington'sadministrationended.OriginatingwiththeExpounders,whonaturally

pressedcloseupontheFounders,oftheConstitution;bequeathedbyJefferson,leaderofthestrict,andbyHamilton,leaderoftheliberalconstructionists,totheirrespectivesuccessors,foragenerationnay,longer!itfilledtheAmericanCapitolwithaper-petualblazeofintellectuallight,absolutelyunrivaledinRomanSenate,BritishParliament,orFrenchNationalAssembly.Andwhowasitthatsprangyounggiant!totheheadoftheFederalForce!pre-eminent,palinginthecomparisoneventhehis-toricfameofHamiltonhimselfwhowasit?ifnotDanielWebster,sometimecalledtheGodlike?ThisquestionIsubmitforanswertoMr.Depew.

Hearhim!

But,atthecriticalperiodwhenthepopularity,courageandaudacityofGeneralJacksonwerealmostthesolehopeofnationality,WebsterdeliveredintheSenateaspeechunequaledintheannalsofelo-quenceforitsimmediateeffectsandlastingresults.TheappealofDemosthenestotheAtheniandemoc-racy,thedenunciationsofCiceroagainsttheconspir-aciesofCataline,thepassionateoutcryofMirabeaupendingtheFrenchrevolution,thewarningsofChat-hamintheBritishParliament,thefervorofPatrickHenryforindependence,wereoftemporaryinterest,

andyieldedfeebleresults,comparedwiththetremen-dousconsequencesofthismightyutterance.

ItbrokethespellofsupremeloyaltytotheState,andcreatedanunquenchableandresistlesspatriotismfortheUnitedStates.Itappearedintheschoolbooks,and,bydeclaimingglowingextractstherefrom,thejuvenileoratorsofthatandsucceedinggenera-tionswonprizesatacademicexhibitionsandinmimiccongresses.Childreneducatedparents,andthepride


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ofthefathersandthekindledimaginationsofthesonsunitedtheminanobleidealofthegreatRepub-lic.Nosubsequentpatrioticorationmettherequire-mentsofanypublicoccasion,greatorsmall,whichdidnotbreathethesentimentof'libertyandunion,nowandforever,oneandinseparable!Idem.pp.

Whoofuswouldsuppressorenfeebleonewordofthispanegyric?WherebreathesthetrueSouthronwhowouldnotbequicktorecognizewithpatrioticpridetheassimilationoftheAmericanWebster,amongtheorators,totheAmericanNiagara,amongthecataractsofEarth?Andyetbutpartialjusticewouldbedonehismemorydidwenotfurtherinsistthatheroseto,andstilloccupies,aneminence,asfarabovetheplaneofmereearthlyoratoryasthespiritualswellsbeyondandabovetheintellectualworld.ButhereweareforcedintoantagonismwithaportionofhisownimmediatepeopleoftheNorthconspicuousamongthemtheOratoroftheHundredthAnniversaryoftheInaugurationofPresidentWashington;whoavailedhimselfoftheopportunity,officiallygivenhim,toprostituteanationaloccasiontotruth-sacri-ficingsectionaluse;therebydrawinganimpassable

lineofdemarcationbetweenhimselfandDanielWebster.

ToenableustocomprehendhowbroadanddeepitiswemustneedscontemplateforafewmomentsthecareerofthelatterincompanionshipwiththeonlytwoAmericansofhisday,whoafterWilliamH.Crawfordhadbeenprematurelystrickendownbyparalysiswereatallcomparablewithhim.Andintowhatheroicproportionshadthethreerisen,almostsimultaneously,abovethesurgesofthatfrontbattle-fieldofAmericanAmbitions,theFederalCon-gress?attractingtothemselvesfarmorelegitimately

thancouldthegreatNapoleonplaceuponhisownheadthecrownwhichhepickedupfromthestreet;attractingtothemselvestheworkofindividualiza-tionhadnotyetprogressedtoofarforthat!eachfromhisownsection,afervorofpersonaldevotioninallessentialsidenticalwiththeloyaltypaidtotheFeudalPrinceoftheoldentime:nay!exercisingthroughitanabsolutismoftheone-manpowerquiteunattainablebythemodernCaesar!For,whileinRussiatheCzarmayindeedfullyembodytheone-manwillinhisedict,itbyfartoooftenoccursthathemustbringhisbayonettobearuponthephysical,toconstrainthereflecting,subjecttoobedience;whereas

inSouthCarolina,Calhoun,actingdirectlyuponthereflecting,neverfailedtoconstrainthephysical,manofhisdominantpartytovotehiswill.SoClayinKentucky;so,forawhile,WebsterinMassa-chusetts.Andtimewaswhowithassurancecangainsayit?when,hadthethreeconspiredforanendofambitioncommontothemall,theymighthavesupplantedtheConstitutionalGovernmentofWash-ingtonwithaTriumvirateoftheirown.Butsuchpossibilitycouldneverhaveoccurredtoeitherof


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them,or,indeed,to.anyintelligentAmericanoftheirday;forthesimplereasonthatnotoneofthethree,inhislife-longcareer,hadgivenslightestgroundforsuspicionthathecouldbemorerecreanttotheOathtosupporttheConstitutionwhichheldhimtotheinvisiblecenterofthemoraluniversethancouldtheEarthitselfberecreanttothelawofgravitywhichholdsittotheSun.Notthus,however,withafourthcharacterunhappilyalsohistoric!RaisedbytheaccidentofconflictbetweenCLAYr,theStates-man,andJackson,theSoldier,oftheWest,notsofarabovehisgreatcotemporariesinplaceashewasbeneaththeminthegranderelementsofmoralandintellectualforce;allaflamewiththathell-bornthirst,whichneverfailstofollowthealcoholicdraughtofgratifiedambition,andalwaysinverselyproportionatetothemoraldimensionsofthedrinker,hedescendedfromthePresidentialChairtodesecratetheHouseofRepresentativesbydirectingfromitsflooragainsttheConstitution,whichhe,incommonwithallitsmem-bers,hadtakentheOathtosupport,thatlong-con-tinuedanddesperatelyresistedonslaught,forwhichMr.Depewundertooktosubstitutetheflimsyfigmentofhisownbrain;andtotheinitiationofwhichWm.

H.Seward,announcingfromthealreadydesecratedstepsofFaneuilHallthegrandpurposeoftheRepublicanPartyinthepoliticalcampaignthenpro-gressingtocloseinthedefactoelectionofPresi-dentLincolnusedthewordswhichwillnowbekindlyread:

Inresponsetotheenthusiasticcheersofthepeo-ple,Mr.Sewardmadeaspeechfromwhichwemakethefollowingimpressiveandsignificantextracts.AfterrelatinghowhehadearlyderivedhispoliticalprinciplesandsentimentsfromtheMassachusettsschool,undertheteachingsoftheimmortalSageof

Quincy,heproceedsasfollows:

IknowthatcitizensofMassachusetts,aswellascitizensofotherStates,haveattemptedtodrivethedisciplesofthatillustriousteacherfromtheirpolicy.Butitisto-nightthatIamfreetoconfessthatwhen-everanyman,whereverhemightbefound,whetherhewasofNorthernorSouthernbirth,whetherhewasofthesolidmenofBoston,orofthelightmenofMississippi,haveassailedmeforthemaintenanceofthosedoctrines,Ihavesoughttocommunewithhisspirit,andtolearnfromhimwhetherthethinginwhichIwasengagedwaswellandworthilydone.

Whatacommentaryuponthewisdomofmanisgiveninthissinglefact,thatfifteenyearsonlyafterthedeathofJohnQuincyAdams,thepeopleoftheUnitedStates,whohurledhimfrompowerandfromplace,arecallingtotheheadofthenation,totheveryseat,fromwhichhewasexpelled,AbrahamLincoln,whoseclaimtothatseatisthatheconfessestheobligationofthathigherlawwhichtheSageofQuincypro-claimed,andthatheavowshimselfforwealorwoe,forlifeordeath,asoldieronthesideoffreedomin


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theirrepressibleconflictbetweenfreedomandslavery.Tims,gentlemen,ismysimpleconfession.Idesirenow,onlytosaytoyouthatyouhavearrivedatthelaststageofthisconflictbeforeyoureachthetriumphwhichistoinauguratethisgreatpolicyintothegov-ernmentoftheUnitedStates.TheCrisis.WhatisResistance?pp.25,26.

IntroducedwiththeintroductionofAbolitionPeti-tionsintoCongressbyAdams;thusproclaimedbySewardtobeirrepressibleconflictbetweenFree-domandSlaveryinBostonBoston!!whosepeo-plehadbeensoconspicuouslyactiveinfasteninguponthevitalorganismsoftheSouthernStatesthatInsti-tution,*towhichthegenericnameofSlavery,ascontra-distinguishedfromFreedom,wascunninglygivenbytheunscrupulousdemagoguebothAdamsandSewardopenlyavowingallegiancetoLawHigherthantheConstitution,whicheachofthemhadreapeatedlytakentheOathtosupportthismovement,thusinitiated,mustliveinAmericanHis-tory,wheneverandwhereveritshallbetruthfullywrittenandintelligentlyread,asthewarwhichsearedconsciences,degradedpolitics,destroyed

parties,ruinedstatesmen,andretardedtheadvanceanddevelopmentofthecountry:manufactured,fromtheelementsofsectionalprejudice,jealousyandself-sufficientfanaticism,throughouttheentireEast-ern,NorthernandNorthwesternStates,thatgiganticPublicOpinionviolentlyaggressivefromthefirst,frenziedintodemoniacfurytowardthelastwhichmightwellwearthenameinhistoryofGrandArmyoftheHigherLaw;generallycommanded,nevereffectivelyresisted,byStateofficialsGovernors,Legislators,JudgeseachofwhomheldplaceuponhisOathtakentosupporttheConstitution,andwhichabsolutelynullifiedthosesupremelyvitalpro-

visionsofit,perfectedbyitsframersintoclear,ex-plicitlaw,purposelythatitmightgotothePeopledirectfromtheConstitutiontoexacteverywhereobediencethemostimplicit,enforcementthemostloyal,asbeingsolemnTreatyStipulationsbetweenstillexistingSovereignties,withoutwhichtheUnioncouldnothavebeenformed,anduponthefaithfulmaintenanceofwhichonlycoulditrightfullycontinuetoexist:dictatedandsecuredthoselegislativeenact-ments,knownasPersonalLibertyLaws,whichmadeitcrimeagainstthesovereigntyoftheStatetoattempttoenforceuponitssoiltheFederalConsti-tution,orFederalLawsenactedtosupportit

whereitcouldnolonger,becauseofrevolutionaryre-sistance,supportitself:tookdefactopossessionoftheElectoralCollegeof1860byforceofamajoritycom-posedalmostwhollyofdelegatesfromthesesameStates,whiletheflagofRebellionwasthusfloatingfromthecapitolofeachasthoughitmightbepos-sibleforaStatetobedefactooutoftheUnion,forthepurposeofresistingitslaws,andsimultaneouslydejureintheUnion,forthepurposeofmakingaPresident;majority,too,whichrepresentedonly


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aminorityoftheAmericanPeopleadecisivema-jorityofwhomhadexpressed,throughtheballot-boxinthepresidentialelection,antagonismtoSewardandhisrevolutionaryfaction:inauguratedthepresi-dentelectofabodythuscomposedandcontrolled,inutterdisregardofthewillofthePeoplethusmademanifest:andsousurpedthegovernmentoftheUnitedStates;itsname,prestigeandcapital;itsarmy,navyandillimitableresources,toconcentrateandwieldthemallagainstStateswhosepeoplehadalwaysbeenloyaltotheUnionundertheConstitutiontherebymostunrighteouslyforcingthemintoades-peratelyunequalconflicttopreservefortheirchildrenthecivilizationandinstitutionsbequeathedtothembytheirfathers,undersecurityofanoath-sealedcompactwithStateswhichwerenowtramplingitunderfoot,todegradeanddestroythem.ThiswTasindeedthewarwhichsacrificedhundredsofthousandsofpreciouslives,andsquanderedthousandsofmillionsofmoney:desolatedthefairestportionoftheland,andcarriedmourningintoeveryhomeNorthandSouth:followedthetrackofbarbaricSherman'sdevastatingarmieswiththewrongs,op-pressionsandnever-to-be-numberedinfamiesofRe-

construction,underthedefactoconsulateoftheCarpet-BaggerandScalawag:wrenchedEnglishwordsfromtheirlegitimateapplicationcallingthehistoricallygrandandgloriousself-defenseoftheConfederateStates,theGreatRebellion;naminghimtraitorwhohadbeentruetohisman-hood,andresistedtheHigherLaw;himrebelwhohadbeentruetohisoath,andsupportedtheConstitution:cut,withtheswordofforce,intotheConstitutionitselfthatprovisionstillremainingtheretoscarit!whichgaveallofficesofhonorandemolumenttothesupportersoftheHigherLaw,anddestituteditsowndevotedsupportersuponthe

groundofhavingbeenfalsetotheoathtosupporttheConstitutionofanyrightwhatsoever,asthoughitmightbepossibletoConstitutionizeintotheTruthofHistoryaneverywhereintrinsicallyself-revealinglie:soughttoputtoshamethetrue,bravepeoplewhosehomesithaddesolatedbyfetter-ingwithironstheiralreadyincarceratedChief,asthoughhewereacommonandmeanlydangerousmalefactor,andthenwithheldfromhimthattrium-phantvindicationinhistorywhichallintelligentmenknewmustcertainlyresultfromanytrialatall;and,finally,attemptedtosubstitute,throughoutthatsectionwhichhadgivenGeorgeWashingtontomankind,

forthedistinctiveAmericanLoyaltyfirstbreathedbyhispurelipssynonymous,thewide-worldover,withTruthitselfthathistoricmusicoftwowords,trulyloyal,sopotentintheworkoffraud,op-pressionandplunderonthelipofCarpet-BaggerandScalawag;butfromtheinsidiouslyamicableapproachofwhichtohimselfthetrueAmericaneverywhereshrank,asshrinksthemostdelicateofwomenfromthefoulestinsectthatdronesthroughthefetidairofnight.


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*SeeLectureontheWandererCase,byH.R.Jackson.

FromtheplaneofWashington,Jefferson,Ham-iltonFounders;fromthelevelofWebster,Clay,CalhounExpounders,oftheConstitution,whatafallwashere,mycountrymen!Andcoulditbewithintherangeofpossibilityconceivablettettoneman,soinferiortoeitherofthem,shouldhavethepowertoraise,andlivinganddeadtogivedirec-tionto,thestormwhichwasthustodashtheelabo-ratedworkofthemallintomonumentalwreck?precipitatingupontheAmericanPeopletheultimatetestoftheGreatAmericanExperimentofMan'scapacityforself-government,intheonlycrucialques-tionpracticallypossible:ShalltheConstitutionstand,asabstractlawcanonlystand,uponimplicitobedience?or,byoneactofrebelliousdisobedienceuncontroled,stabbed-likeCesartotheheart,shallitfallbeneaththefeetofmerebruteforcetobetram-pleduponatpleasure?

Ascircumstance,morepotentthanmeritintheman,hadmadeAdamsPresident,socircumstancewas

againathandtosupplyhimwithextrinsicforceforthisworkoftranscendentmischief.Itsochancedthat,inprosecutinghisownambitiousends,hemetadireneedgrowingfromyeartoyearmoreandmoredireoftheyoungerambitions,whichwererevealingthemselvesinallsectionsofthecountrywithphenome-nalrapidity.Isayphenomenalbecauseitresultedfromaphenomenoncharacteristicoftheearlydevelop-mentoftheAmerico-Englishcivilization.Pre-ex-istinghistorytaughtthatthehabitsofthoughtandactionwithresultinganddependentsocialorganismsoftheAnglo-Saxon,wouldsurvivetherevolutionof1776,forlengthsoftimeasvariantasthemselves.It

didnotteachthatoneofthetwomasterpassionsofthehumansoul,letfullylooseuponthebreathingworldbyrevolutionarydemolitionofallrestrainingFeudalbars,wouldinstantlybegin,andprosecutewitharapidityofachievementabsolutelyunprecedented,itsformidablework:andthat,whileitwouldbealto-gethernatural,ontheonehand,forPresidentWashington,inhisdailywalkaroundPhiladelphia,tostridelikeaFeudalPrince,followedattenpaceswithmilitaryprecisionbyanAideindashingmilitarygarb,itwouldbequiteasnatural,ontheotherhand,buttwogenerationslaterduringthatintervalofpal-pitationbetweentheelectionandtheinaugurationof

PresidentLincolnforaGeorgiaCaptain,standingwithhiscompanyinamicablelinedeployedbeforetheurchinsofaragged-schooluponLongIsland,toexclaim,Myboys!whatagloriouscountryisours!WhocantellbutthatoneofyoumaybePres-identoftheUnitedStates!

Universaldevelopmentofambition!thatexhaust-iveconcentrationofself-assertion,thusculminatinginthethoughtofpresident-makingwasthis,then,


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thefirstpracticaleffectoftherevolutionofSeventy-Sixdistinctlytorevealitself?Such,indeed,hadrapidlybecometheuniversallesson;taughtbytheproudmothertotheeagerlylisteningboyatherknee;bythepreceptor,temptingBrown,ashetookhisplaceaboveBlackinthespellingclass,tofindpleasureinwhatwasgivingtoanotherpainhypertrophyoftheintellect!atrophyofthesoul!thusbeguneveninthekinder-garten!SuchhadbeenthelessontaughtbytheFourthofJulyoratoreverywhere;selectingforhistextthatquestionablegeneralizationoftheDeclar-ationofIndependence,Allmenarebornequal,anddoingitdowninthecrucibleofhisowndeductivephilosophywiththatothergeneralization,theun-alienablerighttothepursuitofhappiness;andprecipitatingtherefromineachAmericanCitizenasovereign,bornwiththedivinerightofkings'todetermineforhimselfwhathappiness'is,andtopursueitbygettingabovehisequals.

Wasitindeedpossiblethat,soimmediatelyaftertheprofoundly-teachinginaugurationoftheirFirstPresident,theentireAmericanPeople,withanunan-imityofthoughtandactionnevertobeexceeded,had

setthemselvestothesuicidalworkofthusscatteringbroad-castovertheircountrytheseedofself-asser-tion,theseedofbarbarizingindividualization,thetheveryseedofHellitself?Whatwonderthat,inthelapseofasinglegeneration,thereshouldappearaswarmmultitudinoustobenumberedonlybytheconscientiouscensus-takerresemblingbyfartoocloselythatotherswarmwhichperiodicallyemergesfromtheearthtorestoretotheforestinmid-summeritswintryaspect,crawlingalongthesurface,eachbornequaltohisneighborandtothatextentindeedasovereign;assertinghisunalienablerighttothepursuitofhappinessingettingabove

hisequals,bymountingthefirstuprightthinghemeets;beitanelm,thefoliagereachedtofeedandfattenthere;beitabald-headedpost,thetopattained,stretchingalean,lankformintovacancy,alwaysup-ward!toperishthereaveritablewormExcel-sior!

TheorganismoftheBritishParliamentsurvivingintheAmericanCongress,itwasbutnaturalthatthelong-establishedhabitofAnglo-Saxonthoughtshouldfastentheeyeofpoliticalambitionuponthelatter;inutterdisregardofthefact,sovitaltoaconstitu-tionalgovernmentoftheAmericanUnion,thateach

StatelegislaturemustbeartotheFederaltherelation-shipbornebyacourtoforiginalandgeneraltoacourtofdelegatedandlimitedjurisdiction;or,speakingmoredirectly,therelationshipbornebythelegislatureofoneofaNationofSovereigntiestothelegislatureofanagencycreatedbyandcommontothemall;butwhollydestituteofsovereigntyoriginalinitself.Andthat,therefore,whiletheassimilationoftheformertotheBritishParliamentmightbecomplete,thatofthelattermust,inthenatureofthings,bepartial;that,


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immaterialhowextensivetheterritoryoftheUnion,howvastorcomplicatedthemachineryneedfulforitsgovernment,thatgovernment,asconstituted!couldnotdirectlyandfullytouchoneAmericancitizenastouchestheBritishgovernmentallBritishsubjects,astoucheseachStategovernmentitseverycitizen;andthathencethemainlifeofthePeoplelaybeyondthesphereofitsaction.AmongtheFoundersoftheConstitutionPatrickHenryseemstohavestoodaloneinhisactiveappreciationofthenecessityofkeepingthisvitaltruthpracticallymanifest.CouldhehavegivendirectiontoAmericanambition,divert-ingitfromtheterritoriallybroader,butcomparativelyshallow,fieldofFederalPolitics,tothedevelopmentoftheState,underwiseandeffectiveHome-Rule,theimmediatecauseofthenowhistoricWarbetweentheStatescouldnothavebeenengendered.But,asthroughParliamenthadlainforgenerationstheavenuetotheBritishPremiership,itwasnaturallyassumedthatsothroughCongressmustliethehigh-waytotheAmericanPresidency;andCongresspre-cipitatelybecamethefrontbattle-fieldofAmericanAmbitions.

Oratoryistheartofrevolutionaryepochs.ThespiritoftheAmericanRevolutionmadeitselffirstheardintheBritishParliament.WhocanhavefailedtorecognizeintheeloquenceofPatrickHenrytheim-pressofLordChatham's?InrousingtheAmericanPeopletoRevolutiontheindispensabletriospeaker,audienceandsubjecteverywheregroupedthemselvestogetherforthegenerationofelo-quence.Independenceachieved,therestillremainedworkforStatesmen,andforOrators,inthefoundingoftheConstitutionandtheUnion.AndthiswasquicklyfollowedbytheepochofConstruction,theepochofWebster,ClayandCalhoun,andthoseefful-

gentgalaxieswhichtheopportunitiesoftheTimeclusteredroundthethreegreatcentralorbs;whenex-PresidentAdamstookhisseatintheHouseofRepre-sentatives.Oratory,monopolizingtheart-passionandart-tasteoftheAmericanPeople,hadnowfullypos-sesseditselfoftheschools;andwaseverywheresedu-ouslytaught.ItisbutfairtoassumethatfortheyoungpoliticalaspirantswhowerenowbeginningtocometotheFederalCapitol,allaglowwiththethetouchofthelivecoalfromtheiraltars,themerematterofPresident-makingdidnotwearasuperlativelyattrac-tiveface.Whatpartintheworld'slifewasamerePresidenttoplay?ThenormalcareerofaRoman

Emperorwaslife-long.Everypenthatshouldwritethehistoryofhisdaymustneedswritehisbiography;forthatwasactuallythehistoryoftheworld.And,yet,whatschool-boy'smemorystrongenoughtocarrythelistednamesoftheRomanEmperors?HowwidelydifferentwiththeDemostheneses,theCiceros,theChathamsofthePast.Here,indeed,werenamesthatcouldnotdie.TheycomenexttotheAlexan-ders,theCaesars,andtheBonapartes.Theystand,withtheHomers,VirgilsandShakspeares,amongthe


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quickenersofimmortalthoughtGod'svicegerentsuponearthtoberecognizedforever.

WitheachsucceedingCongressthenumberofsuchaspirantswasincreasing,and,erethefifthdecadehadbeenreached,inCongressandincountryitwaslegion.TherapiddevelopmentofnewspaperlifehadexpandedtheiraudienceintoThePublic.Butthethirdessentialforeloquence,thesubject,wasrapidlyperishing.Theheroicdaysoftheworld-startlingRevolutionwerenowgrowingdistant.TheworkoftheFourthofJulyoratorhadbeenover-done.ThefieldofConstitutionalConstruction,oncesoabounding,hadbeensweptbythegreatscythesofthemasters;thesehadleftbutlittleforthegleaner.Intruth,thepointwasbeingrapidlynearedwhentheprofessionalFederalstatesmanmustberemittedtohisnormaloccupationpresident-makingandmetingoutthespoilstothevictors.Thedaysofelo-quencewereabouttobeover.

Hereitwasthetempterfoundhisopportunity.BeyondtheConstitutionlayotherfieldsunlimited,illimitablewheretheharvestwasrichandthescythe

hadneverswept.Tomakeentranceintothem:Hiclaborhocopuserat.ButtodothismeanttodeposetheConstitution;andhelinealsuccessorofWash-ingtonhadtakentheoathtosupporttheConstitu-tion.Simplethingenough,perhaps,topartcompanywithhisconscience!butwherewashetofindaful-crumuponwhichtoplanttheleverfitforhiswork?Hefounditinanassumptionasfalsetohistoryashewasfalsetotruthandtoduty;namely,thattherightofsubjecttopetitionsovereignwasoneofthoserightsproclaimedbytheDeclarationofInde-pendencetobeunalienable,andthereforelawhigherthantheConstitutionitself;right,indeed,

whichhadbeenwrungbytheBaronsfromKingJohninMagnaCharta,andhadbeenmadesupremelyvitalbyitandbyalltheEnglishBillsofRightwhichcon-stitutewithittheBibleofAnglo-SaxonLiberty.Isitnotpassingstrangethat,inallthediscus-sionsofthesubject-matterofthepresentationofAbo-litionPetitions,theabsolutefalsityofthisassump-tiondoesnotseemtohaveprovokedacomment,Andyetitwasmanifest,notonlyinthenatureofthings,butinthewordsoftheConstitutionitself.InthenatureofthingsfortherightofsubjecttopetitionsovereignwassupremelyvitalinthetheoryofthepatriarchalfirstformofgovernmentknowntoAg-

gregate-man.What,then,wassecuredbyMagnaChartaandtheBillsofRight?doesanyonein-quireiLettheConstitutionitselfanswer!

Congressshallmakenolawabridgingtherightofthepeoplepeaceablytoassembleandtopetitionthegovernmentforaredressofgrievances.U.S.Con-stitution.Amendments,Article1.

Thewordassembleisprincipal,thewordpeti-


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tionisaccessory;theoneiseverything,theotherabsolutelynothing,intheAmericanConstitutionandinalltheEnglishBillsofRight.Theoreticallytheinbornrightofsubjecttopetitionsovereignmustberecognized,aboveallothergovernments,bythemostdespoticthepatriarchal!butthechildmustapproachtheparentquitealone.Theassemblageofthemanyisthechronicterroroftheone-manpower.Now,ofallpeoplesonearththeAbolitionistswereinthefullestenjoymentoftherighttoassemble,whenAdamsandhisLieutenant-Generals,aswellwithoutaswithintheFederalCapitol,werethun-deringtotheworldthegreatwrongdonethemfirst,innotreceivingtheirPetitions,and,sec-ondly,insimplylayingthemonthetable.BytreasonableabuseoftherighttoassembletheywererousingthepassionsofthepeopleagainsttheConstitution,andorganizingundertheHigheeLawthatPublicOpinionwhichfinallyusurpedtheFed-eralGovernmentanddelugedtheSouthernStatesinblood.

Adamshavingselectedforthefirstalignmentofhisforcesagroundsoabsolutelyuntenable,thequestion

mustalwayspresentitself:Whywasitnotatoncestrickenfrombeneathhim?Whywasnotthefinalissuethenmade%Didnotthecrisiscallforapplicationoftheprinciple:Secondsmaybeworthmorethanregi-ments?Whatotheranswercanbegiventhanthatthetempterhadtemptedtoowisely?Thepabulumforeloquencewastoorichandsavorytoberejected!Thewishbeingfathertothethoughteasy,doubt-less,becamethetaskofpersuadingoneselfthatthemerereceiptofpetitions,tobelaiduponthetable,couldscarcelyworkseriousharmtotheRepublic.Andyet,lookingtotheimperialdignityoftheFed-eralConstitution,thecrimeofallmostimmediately

dangeroustogovernment,wasbeingcovertlycommit-ted;crime,madesubjectinallEuropeancommuni-tiestopunishmentthemostinstantaneousandcon-dignthecrimeofLese-Majeste.SoAdams,bringingtheConstitutionintocontemptattheNorth,andsubjectingtheSouthtorudestassaultinthetenderestofhervitals,madeanintenselyemo-tionalsubjectfortheoratorwiththecacoethesloquendiuponhim,bothSouthandNorth.Onlywiththisexplanation,asitseemstome,willthephi-losophichistorianofthefuturebeenabledtocompre-hendhow,withpowerssoinferiortothoseofhisgreatcontemporaries,andventuringuponhisworkwithso

fragileaninstrument,hecouldhaveoverwhelmedthecombinedeffortsofthemallandaccomplishedanendofmischiefsocolossal.

Theyandhehadpassedfromthestageofactionbeforethewarofwordsattaineditsmostformidableproportionsandbegantomergeitselfinthewarbe-tweentheStates.ButtheCongressof1850willbealwaysmemorablefromthefactthatitgroupedClay,WebsterandCalhouneachofwhom,howeverwidely


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theymayhavedifferedfromtimetotimeuponpoliti-calquestions,hadbeentruethroughouttothenobleutteranceofthefirstIhadratherberightthanPresidentagainsttherapidlydevelopingrevolu-tionaryspiritoftheNorthandinevokingfromeachofthethreeaforensicmaster-pieceofhislife.Mr.Benton,inhisThirtyYearsintheSenate,saysthattheperorationofMr.Webster'sspeech,uponFoote'sResolutions,inanswertoHayne,surpassedanythinginancientormoderneloquence.ItwastheeffectofAdams'workthatgavetohisspeechof1850,ascomparedevenwithit,atranscendentsub-limity.Beforehisdeath,in1848,Adamshadsuc-ceededinsectionalizingtheWhigpartyatleastinNewEngland.HencethepositionofWebster,when,in1850,hestoodinlinewithClayandCalhoun,dif-feredinonerespecttotocaelofromtheirs.Eachofthelatterwassupportedneversofervently,nevermoreunanimouslybyhisownsection,byhisowncon-stituents.ButhowwasitwithWebster?Imyselfre-membertohaveheardatthetimethat,ontheeveningbeforethedeliveryofthatspeech,hecalledinpersonuponeveryWhigSenatorandRepresentativefromNewEnglandbuttofindthat,whenheshouldtake

hisstandonthemorrow,hewouldstandalone.IheresolicityourattentiontoanextractfromthatmostmasterlyproductionoftheSouthernPenMr.Stephens'WarbetweentheStates(SeeVol.1,p.p.405,406,407.)asgivingajustestimateofhisheroicpatriotismatthatcrisis.

Hewastoogreatamanandhadtoogreatanin-tellectnottoseethetruthwhenitwaspresented;andhewastoohonestandtoopatrioticamannottoproclaimatruth,whenhesawit,toanunwillingpeople.InthisqualityofmoralgreatnessIoftenthoughtMr.Websterhadtheadvantageofhisgreat

contemporaries,Messrs.ClayandCalhoun.NotthatIwouldbeunderstoodassayingthattheywerenotmenofgreatmoralcourage,forbothofthemshowedthishighqualityinmanyinstances,butthattheynevergavetheworldsuchstrikingexhibitionsofitashedid.Itwasthegloryofhislifethathiswasputtoatestinthisparticular;thattheirsneverwas.OnnooccasionthatIamawareofdidMr.ClayevertakeapositionwhichhedidnotknowthathewouldbesustainedinbythepeopleofKentucky.SowithMr.Calhoun,astoSouthCarolina.Idonotsaythattheymightnothavedoneit,ifasenseofdutyhadre-quiredit,buttheywereeithersofortunateorsoun-

fortunateasnevertohavehadthatissuepresentedtothem.Webster,onthecontrary,oftenpassedthisordeal;andthathepasseditwithunflinchingfirm-nessisoneofthegrandestfeaturesinthegeneralgrandeurofhischaracter.

Oneofthehighestexhibitionsofthemoralsub-limetheworldeverwitnessedwasthatofDanielWebster,when,onanopenbaroucheinthestreetsofBoston,heproclaimed,insubstance,toavastassem-


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blyofhisconstituentsunwillinghearersthattheyhadconqueredanuncongenialclime;theyhadcon-queredasterilesoil;theyhadconqueredthewindsandcurrentsoftheocean;theyhadconqueredmostoftheelementsofnature;buttheymustyetlearntoconquertheirprejudices.ItwasanexhibitionofmoralgrandeursurpassingthatofAristideswhenhesaid,O,AthenianswhatThemistoclesrecommendswouldbegreatlytoyourinterests,butitwouldbeunjust.A.H.Stephens.TheWarbetweentheStates.Vol.1.Pages405,406,407.

TwobriefpassageswillnowbereadfromMr.Web-ster'sspeechof1850.

Now,sir,thisprejudice,createdbytheincessantactiononthepublicmindofabolitionsocieties,abo-litionpresses,andabolitionlecturers,hasgrownverystrong.Nodrum-headinthelongestday'smarchwasevermoreincessantlybeatenandsmittenthanpublicsentimentintheNorthhasbeen,everymonth,andday,andhour,bythedin,androll,andrub-a-dubofabolitionwritersandabolitionlecturers.Thatitiswhichhascreatedtheprejudice.

Sir,theprincipleoftherestitutionofrunawayslavesisnotobjectionableunlesstheConstitutionisobjectionable.IftheConstitutionisrightinthatre-specttheprincipleisright,andthelawforcarryingitintoeffectisright.Ifthatbeso,andifthereisnoabuseoftherightunderlawofCongress,oranyotherlaw,thenwhatistheretocomplainof?

BeforeIpassfromthissubject,sir,Iwillsaythatwhatseemsextraordinaryisthatthisprincipleofres-titutionwhichhasexistedinthecountryformorethantwohundredyearswithoutcomplaint,sometimes

asamatterofagreementbetweentheNorthandSouth,andsometimesasamatterofcomity,shouldallatonce,andafterthelengthoftimeIhavementioned,becomeasubjectofexcitement.

ImeantostandupontheConstitution.Ineednootherplatform.Ishallknowbutonecountry.TheendsIaimatshallbemycountry's,myGod's,andTruth's.IwasbornanAmerican,IwillliveanAmer-ican;IshalldieanAmerican;andIintendtoper-formthedutiesincumbentuponmeinthatcharactertotheendofmycareer.Imeantodothis,withab-solutedisregardofpersonalconsequences.Whatare

personalconsequences?Whatistheindividualman,withallthegoodorevilwhichmaybetidehim,incomparisonwiththegoodorevilwhichmaybefallagreatcountryinacrisislikethis,andinthemidstofgreattransactionswhichconcernthatcountry'sfate?Lettheconsequencesbewhattheywill,Iamcareless.Nomancansuffertoomuchandnomancanfalltoosoon,ifhesufferorifhefallindefenceoftheliber-tiesandConstitutionofhiscountry.TheWorksofDanielWebster.Vol.5,p.p.433,437.


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AlfredtheGreatwasConditor,EdwardtheConfessorRestitutoroftheBritishConstitu-tion.AllmenwillagreethattoWashingtonbe-longsthetitleofFounderoftheAmerican.But,thanksbetotheGodofNations!theAmericanCon-stitutionhasneedednoRestorer.Ithadintrin-sicpowerofitsowntorestoreitself.But,ifWash-ingtonistoliveinhistoryasFounder,mustnotallreflectingmenbeholdinWebster,standingclosebyhisside,thehistoricExpounderoftheFederalConstitution?Andisitmakingtooheavyadraftupontheimaginationtosupposethat,asheutteredthewordslastreadsograndlypotentintheirsim-plicitythetranscendentNewEnglandermaytousehisowninimitableimageryhavefeltthegreatarmoftheSouthronleanuponhimforsupport?

Thelastquotations,however,werenothislastutter-ancesatthecrisis,anduponthesubject-matter,whichinvolvedthelifeoftheUnion.AtCaponSprings,Virginia,in1851,lieusedtheexplicitandemphaticwordswhichwillnowberead.

Howabsurditistosupposethatwhendifferentpartiesenterintoacompactforcertainpurposes,eithercandisregardanyoneprovision,andexpect,nevertheless,theothertoobservetherest.Iintend,forone,toregard,andmaintain,andcarryout,tothefullestextent,theConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,whichIhavesworntosupport,inallitspartsandallitsprovisions.ItiswrittenintheConstitution:

'NopersonheldtoserviceorlaborinoneStateunderthelawsthereofandescapingintoanother,shall,inconsequenceofanylaworregulationtherein,

bedischargedfromsuchserviceorlabor,butshallbedelivereduponclaimofthepartytowhomsuchlabororservicemaybedue.'

ThatisasmuchapartoftheConstitutionasanyother,andasequallybindingandobligatoryasanyotheronallmen,publicorprivate.

Ihavenothesitatedtosay,andIrepeat,thatiftheNorthernStatesrefuse,wilfullyanddeliberately,tocarryintoeffectthatpartoftheConstitutionwhichrespectstherestorationoffugitiveslaves,andCon-gressprovidenoremedy,theSouthwouldnotlonger

beboundtoobservethecompact.Abargaincannot.bebrokenononesideandstillbindtheotherside.

IamasreadytofightandfallfortheConstitutionalrightsofVirginiaasIamforthoseofMassachu-setts.Mr.Webster'sSpeechatCaponSprings,Vir-ginia,June28th,1851.

WhowillquestionthatDanielWebster,fromtheloftiestpointofview,wasbyfarthemosteffectivead-


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vocateofthatconstructionoftheFederalConstitu-tionwhichcalledtheConfederateStatesintobeing,andplacedtheirarmiesinthefield;orthathewasthefirstself-devotingchampiontosufferandtofallindefenceofthenowsometimescalledLostCause.Theremovesnotuponthefaceofearth,theresleepsnotinherbosom,onemutilatedorslaugh-teredConfederateSoldierwhomaynottruthfullyex-claiminhisthought,orinhisdream:I,too,likeWebster,suffered;I,too,likeWebster,fell,indefenceofthelibertiesandConstitutionofmycountry!ThegloryofThermopylaeisnottoXerxesandhismillion;itistoLeonidasandhisthreehun-dred.

MightitnotbewiseforMr.Depew,whosetonguesofrequentlydoesdropmanna,toreconcilehiseloquentexpressionofadmirationforDanielWeb-sterwithhisattempttomaketheworseappearthebettercauseinhisOrationonthehundredthan-niversaryoftheInaugurationofPresidentWashing-ton.Untilthisshallbedone,thequestionwillre-mainunanswered,whether,atthecloseofthathistoricaddress,theghostofWebsterwouldhavebeenmore

acceptabletohimthanwasBanquo'sghosttoMac-bethatthesupper-table;orthanwouldhavebeentheghostofthemurderedLincolntoJudge-AdvocateHolt,immediatelyaftertheexecutionofMrs.Surratt.

And,further,mightitnotbewellforhimtorecon-cileitssignificancewiththeviewsofMr.AlexanderJohnstonsurelyasdevotedaNorthernerandmem-beroftheRepublicanPartyasMr.DepewhimselfviewsobviouslywrungbysheerforceoftruthfromaconscientiousmantowhichInowprayspecialatten-tion?

Theobjectiontotheconstitutionalityofthefugi-tiveslavelawis,inbrief,thattherenditionoffugi-tiveslaves,aswellasoffugitivesfromjustice,wasanobligationimposedbytheConstitutionupontheStates;andthatthefederalgovernment,whichhasneverattemptedtogivethelawinthelattercase,hadnomorerighttodosointheformer.Thisopinion,however,hasagainstittheunanimousopinionoftheSupremeCourtinthecaseofAblemanvs.Booth,citedbelow.Butthereisabsolutelynolegalexcuseforthepersonallibertylaws.Iftherenditionoffugitiveslaveswasafederalobligation,thepersonallibertylawswereinflatdisobediencetolaw;iftheobliga-

tionwasupon-theStates,theywereagrossbreachofgoodfaith,fortheywereintended,andoperated,topreventrendition;andineithercasetheywereinviolationoftheConstitution,whichtheStatelegisla-torsthemselvesweresworntosupport.Thedilemmaissoinevitablethatonlythepressureofanintenseandnaturalhorrorofsurrenderingtoslaveryamanwhohadescapedfromit,orwhohadneverbeensub-jecttoit,canpalliatethepassageofthelawsinques-tion.Plainly,thepeople,inadoptingthefugitive


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slaveclauseoftheConstitution,hadassumedanobli-gationwhichitwasnotpossibletofulfill.Thewriter'sownbeliefthattheobligationofrenditionwasupontheStatesalone,haspreventedhimfromclass-ingthepersonallibertylawsundernullification.CyclopoediaofPoliticalScience,PoliticalEconomyandUnitedStatesHistory.Vol.3d,p.163.

Finally,wouldnottheAmericanPeopleofthepresentdayalsoturnwithinterestandprofittoanex-pressionoftheviewsnowentertainedbybothMr.DepewandMr.JohnstonofWhittier's

PoemonWebster?

Sofallen!solost!thelightwithdrawnWhichoncehewore!

ThegloryfromhisgreyhairsgoneForevermore!

Revilehimnot,theTempterhathAsnareforall;

Andpityingtears,notscornandwrath,Befithisfall.

Odumbbepassion'sstormyrage,Whenhe,whomight

Havelightedupandledhisage,Fallsbackinnight.

Scorn!wouldtheangelslaugh,tomarkAbrightsouldriven

Fiend-goadeddowntheendlessdarkFromhopeandheaven?

LetnotthelandonceproudofhimInsulthimnow,

NorbrandwithdeepershamehisdimDishonoredbrow.

Ofallwelovedandhonored,naughtButpowerremains;

AfallenAngel'sprideofthoughtStillstronginchains.

Allelseisgone;fromthosegreateyesThesoulisfled;

Whenfaithislost,whenhonordies,Themanisdead.

ThenpaythereverenceofolddaysTohisdeadfame;

Walkbackward,withavertedgaze,Andhidetheshame!

Bythispowerfulbutabortiveefforttoimpaleforshametheforemost,andbyfarthegrandest,figureinNewEnglandhistory,thepeople'spoet,inthesecruelstanzans,hassuppliedthehonestseekeraftertruth,throughallcomingtime,withalife-likephoto-


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graphofthatfrenziedPublicOpinionwhichhaden-thralledanddebasedtheNorthernmind,andtowhichtheauthorhimselfwaspandering.AsalsopanderedthepainterwhofrescoedwithinthedomeofthecapitolatWashington,infullviewfromthero-tunda,thefiguresofRobertE.Lee,AlexanderHamiltonStephensandStonewallJackson,asdiscomfitedandterror-strickentraitors,crouchingbe-neaththeout-spreadtalonsofthetriumphantAmericanEagle;wheretheystillremain!toputtoblushthenationwhoselawsareenacted,beneaththelyingdaub;andastheyshallremaingroupedinhistorywithDanielWebster,andthepurest,bravestandmostself-devotingpatriotsofalltheagestoclaimforeverthesupremeadmirationofmankind!Such,assuredly,mustbetheverdictofposteritywhen,inthefull,purelightoftruth,unaffectedbyinterest,prejudice,orpassion,itshallcometoreviewthatdominationofForcehydra-headed,million-handedwhichforsomanydeplorableyearstorturedtheSouthanddarkenedtheLand;temperedattimes,undoubtedly,bythebroadpatriotismandever-activehumanityofLincoln,andbytheunostentatious,thoughheroic,magnanimityofGrant:butchecked

onlybytheloyaltyoftheSupremeCourt,which,clingingsteadfastlytothevitalprinciplesoftheGov-ernment,hasfinallyrestoredtotheAmericanNationofindestructibleStateSovereigntiesthecalmruleoftheConstitution.Beitperpetual!

Documents

American Loyalty (1893)