The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-07-06

HON. JORDAN STOKES
DELIVERED AT THE CAPITOL II NASH
WILLIE, on THE FoUUTH or july. d

cradle gay we CclcDfatey WIN lts vuti-
ished recollections its sacred mementoes,
its rich clusters Of heroic deeds, its inti-
mate connection with classic battle fields,
and with tho triumph of American Lib
erty has come down to us embalned in
the tears and hallowed with the prayers of
nearly three generations. tits the birth
day Of American Independence; il is
the honored Jubilee Of free Government;
il has been celebrated in this country and
in other countries where the ,yotarios Of
Liberty were permitted 10 assemble, for
eighty-six years; and il will be eele-
brated, on lis annual return, by number
less generations yet unborn, with appro-
pirate honors and ceremonies. tis emf.
nently proper az this time, for US TO
come together ID this City and in this
Hall ~ surrounded with the memorials
and labors Of our illustfious ancestors,
and burthened with the sorrows and raw
ages Of civil war that make the heavens
above us blush with shame-7and, in deep
humility, rekindle the smOuldering em-
bers Of an almost extinct patriotism at
the altar fires where Washington, Adams,
Jefferson, Henry and their noble COM
peers FIRST lit up the living flame of Ma
tiOnal Independence. t-it.'f sp
II was not long after our Independence
had been achieved, that our fathers per-
ceiyed the necessity of a government of
larger powers and more clearly defined
checks and balances. In calling this new
b Government into being and operation, il
was their great aim to lay its foundations
deep and broad and TO surround il with
impregnable bulwarks. The heroes and
statesmen who were engaged in the work,
were men Of large intellects, approved
wisdom, comprehensive foresight, and,
withal, Of ardent aud disinterested patri-
'otism and love Of free-g government, How
they performed the arduous task, the
experience Of near century Of unex-
ampled prosperity will furnish full and
happy answer. The Constitution they
framed, and the Government it called
int existence, and the Union il cemented
and made perpetual and indissoluble,
have no models, no equals in ancient or
modern times. Whether we view this
Constitution in the comprehensive pers-
picuity and accuracy of its language, or
its admirable distribution of powers and
checks among the three grand depart
ments of free government, or its exact
adjustment and equipoise Of the powers
and duties of the General and State
Government, or its wonderful Adaptable
ty, without change or enlargement Of its
powers, TO the progressive development
| and growth Of the country in all the elc-
ments Of a great, prosperous and free
people, as a whole and in all its parts
with the complex yet harmonious ma
chilery it puts in motion and regulates, -
It is the most remarkable production OF
uninspircd man, and approaches nearer
the idea of perfection in government
than any other the world has ever known
We are not unmindful Of the historic fact
that the trainers Of this instrument did
not regard it as absolutely perfect; MOI
did they think that the Government was
placed beyond all danger of overthrow
and destruction. Their writings come
down to us full Of warnings against do.
nestle strife and faction, and burthened
with entroatics TO guard with sleepless
vigilance those fell destroyers of Repub.
lies. They expected that selfish and
ambitious men would be willing to sacri-
flee the liberties of the people for thcil
own aggrandisement; they understood
fully the baleful effects of party spirit
and its reckless agitation Of sectional
questions; and they entertained fearful
forebodings thatsuch men might attempt
by these means, 10 overthrow the Gov
ernment Whatthose wise patriots feared
as matter of conjecture and apprehension
we live TO behold as matter of solemn
fact. On this natal day Of our institu.
] tiOns, the country reels under the weigh
of q civil Revolution that has shaken The
! Government from capstone TO foundation
! and, for time, threatened the overthrow
and destruction of the whole ediloo TIT
| intense ebullition of sectional feeling il
/ 1920, the volcanic eruption Of nullilica,
ton in the State of South Carolina il
] 1872, and the more general and diause agi
| tation in 1850, were quieted and subdueC
by the spirit Of compromise and conces'
zion before they had excited very deeply
the popular heart. The Great Pacihcatol
and the Great EXpounder Of the Consti
ton were in public lie, and the burning
eloquence of the one and tho solid logi,
Of the other Gained the public mind ant
turned aside the clouds of civil war; bu
Henry Clay and Daniel Webster sanl
under the weight of years to the tomb
beyond this severest ordeal Of free gov
| crnmcnt and their mantlcs have not fall
en- on the shoulders of any living states
man. The present rebellion forces on
experiment of self-goyernment on its las
and final trial; and, if it wristbands tn.
shock of civil war; il viii be no lOnge
al unsolyed problem for the royal sar
casm of Kings and 'Emperors, but a glo
rious success as permanent and enduring
as the solid hill Of granite under thi
Capitol; and the patriotic men Of tn
times, who contribute TO this result will
place themselves side by side in the HON
age Of a grateful posterity with the found
ers Of our free institutions
( twill not be inappropriate, on thi
day, 20 discuss before this assembling
the Great Conspiracy and the Rebellion
and civil war ithas brought ON the coun,
try and, in coming 20 the consideration
of the sad and absorbing theme, lei u
invoke tho calm attention and soriou
! Judgment Of every lover Of free govern
menL Ever since the overthrow of NULL
. ilicqtion, there has existed . party o
ambitious and selfish politicians, in th
State of South Carolina, who have toile,
day and night 10 dismember the Uniol
aud establish separate Government 70
the Slave states. Having failed in thi
purpose with the tariff issue, they seize,
the slavery question in accordance will
the prophecy Of Gen, Jackson, with th
ceaseless agitation of which they hope,
10 fire the Southern heart and brinl
about a general and united action. Nh
ianadcal Abohtionists and anti -slaverl
men, in the North, who are next in poin
of responsibility and but little inferior Ii
! .,,Ut .-ttI Al, an 4,.,.i-, tgrs a., Al,