Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-09-27

the hotel is on fire. But no more SO than
to remind Americans of the Rules of the
National Constitution, when rebels are at
their threats.
1 do not expose myself to the charge of
making light of the Constitution by set
ting the country above it. For much
more have / written and much more have
I spoken for it than has any other demo-
crat, living or dead. And it is not for
parts of the Constitution that have
written and spoken--but for every line
and letter of it, And have not dishon-
the Constitution and its authors by admit
ing it to be necessary to 60 outside of it
for proof of its meaning. But | have
honored both by insisting that it is its
own interpreter.
The cry of 1.-The Constitution The
Constitution /" is at once the most hypo-
critical and mischievous of all the cries
with which treason is filling the land.
Our Government is earnestly and honestly
intent on saving the nation; and it is for
the life of the nation that our Govern
ment be confded in and sustained. Who
ever then seeks to weaken it's bonds is a
traitor. But of the most wicked and effect
i've form of treason are they guilty, who,
taking advantage of the popular idolatry
of the Constitution, unsettle the popular
confidence in the Government by charging
it with disregard of the Constitution.
hope, gentlemen, that you are not
traitors. But if you are not, then are
you not greatly to be pitied for SO strong
ly seeming to be what you are not. If
you are not more concerned to conquer the
republican party than to conquer the reb-
els, then never did any mems attitude
more belle their spirit. That your pur-
pose is to inspire your party with the
deepest distrust of the Government is too
obvious for even you to deny. That your
success in this would complete the ruin of
your country you may not see. Neverthe-
Tess you would see it were you not blind
'ed by party ZEAL | think you will not be
able to carry with you the county and
and town leaders of your party, much less
the party itself. Strong as is the parti-
san spirit in your party | think the spirit
of patriotism in it is stronger | believe
you will not be able to rally an opposition
party in the North. AS there is but one
party at the South, so there will be but
one at the North. All the South is for
the rebellion, and all the North will be
against it. l believe that the Govern
ment will stand, and that you will fall,
l believe that the democratic as well as
the republican party will consent to post
pone the prosecution of party purposes,
and the qualification of party predictions
until the rebellion shall be conquered,
and the country shall be safe. That done,
and | shall be willing to see each party 60
its own way, as I shall be glad to see all
the wrongs of the South Off there are any
abundantly redressed, when she shall
have ceased from her conspiracy, and
laid down her arms. But curse on
the party that raises its head before the
war is ended. And not one word of peace
nor one leaf of the branch, nor one
concession, however small, to the rebels
so long as they are rebels. Much as they
are worth, and they are worth much be-
cause they are our fellow-men, the Govern
ment and the nation are worth vastly
more; and both Government and nation
will perish if there shall be the slightest
STOPPING to those who are in arms against
both.
You would have it understood that the
republican party would consent to "sepa-
ration of the States" | confess that
preferred such separation, if peaceful, to
war. But the republican party has never
proposed it. There is not one republican
in one hundred who would consent to it
Moreover, there are ten democrats who
would, where there is one republican who
would.
I have not failed to notice that in your
call of the Convention you too put party
below patriotism. But in vain is it that