The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-08-30
REMARKS OF
j. G. DICKINSON, ESQ,
OF BELFAST,
Before the State Convention mt Augusta,
August 9th, 1861.

I Before the State Convention mt Augusta
r August 9th, 1901.
At the conclusion Of the able speech o
Gov. Washburn, Hon. James G. Blaine ros
and said: "Two young men Of Maine com
menced political life in the Legislature o
1912. They had pursued different paths
but had now met together at the Grand Sta
ton House Of the Union the convention hat
just listened to one ofthem-Goyernor Wash
burn; he would now introduce the other
j. q Dickerson, Esq, Of Belfast" Aftel
the applause had subsided, Mr.. Dickersor
addressed the convention as follows:
Mr.. President and
Gentieneu ofthe Convention:
l am heartily obliged to you for this cor
dial greeting, and accept it with greater
thanklulncss, since it is tendersd by those
with whom differ upon party questions
Indeed can scarcely account for this dis
tinguished token.of your partiality, except
upon the theory that may be regarded
somewhat in the light ofa "contraband,' u
from the democratic party. beg, however
to assure you that ] am not here us parti'
van, but as national Union man, acknowl.
edging political allegiance only to tho Con-
stitution and the laws, and every man my
brother who stands upon this platform, and
is ready to battle for it as long as there is a
ray Of hope or shred of the Constitution
loft.
More than seven months ago publicly de-
dlared "that, in my judgment, the question
raised by South Carolina was not one of par
ty. but of national existence, and that If the
Federal Government should abandon its right
duty and power to defend, protect, and per-
petuate itself against oil foes, domestic as
well as foreign. it would commit moral trea-
son to its history, to civalizatlon and humani.
ty." resolved thus early not to be ono OF
the $4,000 democrats, relied upon in Maine,
to chain the FREQ spirit of the North, while
JEFF Davis and his confederate rebels should
seize upon the national capital, and establish
new kingdom ofDahomy under the shadow
of the tomb Of Washington. At the same
| avowcd my purpose to stand by and with
those who should take this view Of the qucs-
ton, and in good faith fight on and fight
ever for the preservation of the Union at all
hazards andat whatever cost. Such was my
position in January last !; it is the Same to-
day.
But the men who assume to control the
Brcckinridgc organization, in this State, with
which acted in the last Presidential canvass,
entertain totally different views. They have
discovered that the doctrine heretofore uni.
versally entertained, that it is the right,
power and duty Of the Federal Government
to protect itselfagainst all foes is delusion.
These national men now deny that there is
any such thing as nationality, or national
sovereignty, and stoutly affirm that it is all
State sovereignty, and that allegiance to
country is subordinate to allegiance to State;
the power to declare war and to conclude
peace, the treaty-making power, the power to
raise an army arm and equip navy levy and
collect duties on imports, are not sovereign
powers, but must be exercised in subordina-
ton to the dcmi.god Of State sovereignty
This is not government Of "the people Of
United States; bare majority Of the people
Of State can take that State out OF the Union
in the twinkling of an eye; the change ofa
single vote will bring it back into the Union
with the same dispatch; the issues of peace
and war no longer rest with the Federal Gov
ernment, each State having the right to alb
rogite any treaty between the United States
and foreign powers /; 1t is perfectly constitu.
tional to give up the control of the Missis-
sippi. or to consent to the establishment OF
any foreign power or powers upon 500 miles
Of our southern border: we are no longer one
government, but thrty-four sovcreignties; (;
indeed 1t is no perjury, but the perfection Of
patriotism in an officer Of the United States,
sworn to obey the Constitution and the laws,
to renounce that allegiance and take sides
with the seeded State, provided he bear away
with him, as proof Of his fidelity to his native
State, few hundred thousand dollars Of
Uncle Sans money, or battery Of riaed
cannon.
These new-school politicians, in effect,
charge that the trainers Of the Constitution,
after ten years experience Of State rivalries,
and State jealousies, Of the dangers Of per.
sonal selfshness and ambition, and Of local
interests under the Old Confederation, incor.
porated the exploded imperfections Of that
compact into the new Constitution-that
they acted upon the belief that a political
millennium was to dawn upon the land stimuli.
taneously with the adoption Of the Federal
Constitution-in fine that they had discovered
sort Of philosophers stone in "the spirit
Of conciliation. concession and compromise"
then existing which should reseneate the
hearts Of men, and forever continue "thesc
fraternal feelings"
cannot thus impcach the intelligence,
wisdom, and patriotism Of the Madisons, the
Franklins, the Hamiltons and Washingtons
of 80, and why' Because they wrote it in
the Constitution that Congress shall have
power to declare war, conclude peace, levy
and collect duties on imports, raise an army.
arm and equip anavy, suppress insarrcction'
and rePel invasion and pass all iaSs necessary
10 carry the po,oers info effect. They wrote
. a i .l l. -.