Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-12-31

wsbsier'S OpinlOu Of the American Union.
A correspondent writes:
Sir At this period, when every mail nom
the United states brings accounts Of "disor-
dered finances and "ruined credits, all en-
gendered by the 'delusion and folly" Of
those who are not content, like goed citizens
70 obey the laws and bow with respect and
grace TO the principle upon which their Re
/ public Is based, namely, the will OF the ma
jori,y, il has occurred 10 your subscriber ian
American resident Rbroadl that the following
words, uttered bg the late Hon Daniel Web
ster in a speeyh delivered in the United
states Senate more than twenty years ago,
have an especial value and application, and
will be read with peculiar interest at this
time, both by your English and numerous
American readers on both sides Of the Allan
tic:
SIT is to that Union we owe our safety at
home, and our consideration and dignity
abroad. Il is to that Union that we are
chiefly indebted for whatever makes US so
proud Of our country. That Union we reach-
ed only by the discipline of cur virtues in
the severe school OF adversely. It had its
origin in the necessities Of disordered finance
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der its benign influence these great interests
Immediately awoke as from the dead, and
sprang forth with the newness of life. Every
year Of its duration has teemed with fresh
proofs Of its utility and lis blessings; aud al
though our territory has stretched out wider
ana wider aud our population spread farther
and farther they have not outrun its protec-
ton or its benefits. Il has been to US all a
eopious fountain Of national, social and per-
sonal happiness. ! have not allowed myself
sir to look beyond the Union, to see what
might be hidden in the dark recesses behind.
l have not eoolly weighed the chances Of
preserving liberty when the bonds that unite
US together shall be broken asunder. have
not accustomed myself to hang over the pre-
cipice OF disunion, to see whether, with nv
short sight l can fathom the depth of the
abyss; nos could regard him as a SAFE conn
sellor in the affairs oi this government whose
thoughts should be mainly bent on consider
ing, not how the Union may be best preserved.
but how tolerable might be the condition of
the people when it should be broken up and
destroyed. While the Union lasts. we have
high, exciting, gratifying prospects spread
out before US, for US and our children. Beyond
that seek not to penetrate the veil. God
grant that in ny day, at least that curtain
may not rise. God grant that on my vision
never may be opened what lies behind
When my eyes shall be turned to behold for
The last time the sun in heaven, may l not
see him shining on the broken and dishonor-
ed fragments Of a once glorious Union; on
States discovered, diseordsnt belligerent; on
a land rent with civil fends, or drenched, il
may be, in fraternal blood let their last
feeble and lingering glance rather behold the
glorious ensign Of the earth, still full high |
advanced, its arms and trophies streaming in !
their original lustre not stripe erased or
polluted, nor single star obscured, bearing
tor its motto no such miserable ioterrogatory |
What is all this worlh2 Nor those other |
words Of delusion and folly, Liberty first |
and Union afterwards, but everywhere spread |
ing all over in characters Of living light |
blazing on all il ample folds, as they Aoat |
over the sea and over the land and in every |
wind under the whole heavens, tLat other |
sentiment dear to every American heart
Liberty and Union, now and forever, one
and inseparsble no