Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-07-08


gates representing the people of each
colony"
1t will be seen then that in regard to
the great questions of peace or war of
Foreign Relations, and those subjects
generally and properly committed to the
care of the general Or central government
there never was any other sovereignty
exercised or claimed by the Colonies
other than that which belonged TO the
crown, the Revolutionary Congress or the
Congress of the Confederation afterwards
All high sounding pretensions as to the
inherent sovereignty of the States before
the formation of the present Constitution
are utterly unfounded in the facts of his
tory, As the war progressed under the
Articles of Confederation and our liber.
ties were established, it is clear our fathers
meant TO form q government of one peo-
pie, Of one nation and when the imper
feet system of the Confederation gave way
to our present Constitution, ordained by
the people of the United States and
ratified by the people of the several States
in Convention elected for that purpose,
then the great idea Of nationality was
perfected, and then and not till then did
the great work of national progress move
OIL Then municipal and local authority
became subordinated to the national
wants A sound currency by the marie
influence of Hamilton genius Infused lite
into the arteries of trade. Commerce
whitened every sea with the products of
American industry Nnd the returning
wealth of foreign climes. A Judicial sys-
TEN, acting directly son individuals,
illustrated the splendid abilities Of IL
Jay and a Marshall Our National
Relations assumed their proper position,
and our growing power and influence en-
forced the respect of all the nations of the
earth We were one people-we were
one nation, we accomplished the object
our fathers sought for-only partially at
tanned in the Articles of Confederation,
and perfected in the present Constitution.
1t is to the great fact of our unity and
nationality-now imperilled by this re-
bellion-that would draw your attention
this day. Its consequences, not only to
ourselves, but to the generations to follow
u.s. | would press upon you with all
earnestness they are for untold good OF
evil, and stretch away down the vista OF
The coming centuries in the Development
Of all that is grand, noble and hopeful to
the human race, or for the destruction OF
all we now enjoy and so fondly hope for
/ 1 am satisfied that this idea is not sufti-
ciently impressed on the minds of the
people. | believe that many earnestly
engaged in putting down this rebellion
and thoroughly loyal at heart do not ap-
preciate the magnitude Of this contest, dc
not see the subject in the vast relations i
bears to the future.
Our nations flag has been insulted
and people justly sensitive to any staiI
upon its honor, as symbolized by that flag
has rushed to its rescue True, but thi
is not the first time national flag ha'
been insulted There is something more
than that which gives the contest its sig
nifcance, The purpose of this war is tt
establish the right of secession-to intro
duce an element into our governmental
system destructive of all government anC
ths fact gives this rebellion its vast pro
portions and consequences. The war is
therefore, not an ordinary one. 1t is no
for extent of Territory between tw'
rival powers; not alone to punish ag-
gression or insult to our honor; not on
in defence of rights secured by part
stipulation, the abrogation of which Nigh
be Justly deemed "cGSus 6eth." 1t
not one on our part of rivalry betwee
sections, springing out Of long cherlshe
spleen. It is the solemn, intelligent an
majestic uprising of the people of tn
Free States, in defence of our commo
Constitution, our common governmen
our National unity, which is assaulted an
imperilIed by q fierce, relentless and Wild
spread conspiracy already eliminated int
savage warfare, whose whole "dnina~s
is dismemberment of our National unit.
Mark you, my friends, it is not the rig
!, of yeyolstion on which the rebellion
placed-a right inherent in all people, b
lore all laws, all Constitutions, all goverl
ments-God-give as q defence fro
, tyranny-a right the great men who
work we celebrate here to-day appealed
: and to God at the same time, and
? all Christendom, for their justification
Not on this sacred right of Revolution
=, this fendish uprising against generoV
! humane and benefcent government place
but on the right, yeH on the right of see'
: sion, that is the right of any State to thrt
of, when she pleasea, her allegiance to ii
> common eovernment--to abrogate the pl
y visions Of the common Constitution,
:, separate herself from her sister States, a
= set up "a rival, independent and hostile &C
- ernment in the very heart Of the gre
!. Republic.
This rebellion is the product of pcrve
is cd intellect and perverted moral sem
n whether in equal portions l cannot ga
,r but one thing is certain, the public mi
South has been educated up to the point
q the heresy of secession. For years d
,f unsound and dangerous theory Of COVE
70 ment has been taught in the schools and
,s private The hair-splitting distinction
d exquisite reinements and metaphysi
ot theories Of government, characterizing
is Statesmen of the southern school, poln
n all the time more or less to this heresy
fv secession The doctrine of States Rigf
embraced with so much ardOr, impressl
I'd the rinds of the rising generation with
,y superior claims of the State authorities
er the lesser claims of the general governing
ne performed half the work of rebelli
ev certain ii is, that had not the South
~ mind been educated to believe in the d
Il. trines Of secession, there would have b
ar q no rebellion. Had the people felt
air there was no law or Constitutional ris
W. W. as their justification for this war, t