The national Republican., 1862-01-04
Horace Greeley at the smith,onian.


A dense throng greeted Mr.. Greeley N his
appearance before the Washington Lecture As.
ISOLATION. Upon the stage was observed the
President, Secretary Chase, Senators King,
Wilson, and Pomeroy, and Speaker Grow, Ste.
vens. and Edwards, Of the House; C"l. Utassy,
the Executive Committee, and citizens OF more
or less eminence. The band Of the Eleventh
Maine again furnished the musical accOmpani-
ment.
Mr.. Greeley commenced by analyzng the el.
ements OF true nationality, and then by Just
synthess proved the unity and porpetuity Of
this nation. We are one.raoe. Asthe blood OF
the Gaul Is apparent In the French OF to-day,
who are not purely Gallic, SO the slight admix
ture Of nationalities in this country does not
affect the predominant character Of the race.
Wo have one language; the conventionalisms
Of the different sections tended only to demon
s,rate its unity. We have ono religion; there
were hundred scots, perchance thousand
oreeds, yet substantially the same faith-whose
minute differences serve TO unite rather than
divide. We have common legacy Of revolu-
tionary memories: Saratoga WAS not alone n
Northern nor Yorktown a Southern triumph.
Geography and Topography declare US unity.
Grandly but vanly Napoleon had declared there
should be no Pyrepees; but our mountains and
rivers possessed power unknown to the fiat
of kings.
The lecturer next considered the causes of
political dissension, and while declaring State
Rghts to be dshnite and important, he proved
and real State sovereignty TO be merged In the
higher and more benehct tnt sovereignty oi the
nation; thatwo are but veimonters, New York.
ers, and Virginiaus, unfortunately and indis.
oriminatcly, but Americans emphatically, and
in higher and prouder sense; and that while
we love our States, we defy them 10 steal away
tho allegiance of the whole country. But tho
implacable enemy that il lifting the dagger to
the heart Of the nation Ia slavory, the most hor
rible legacy Of evil that has ever fallen 10 a
VI n 1T nf
llicting barronness, and desolating the sanctu-
ary Of humanity. II had acted on the princi
pie that slave law makes slave territory, and
had staked 1t all upon extension. The South
ern rebellion was based on the doctrine of an
irreprsssible conflict. The election of Lincoln
was not the cause but the occasion of IL; 1t was
but the zephyr that shook the ripo fruit from
the bough-the new wine that burst the o d
bottles. And now, II the Union Is 10 be restor.
ed, 1t IL only On the basis Of freedom or sla.
very-and the thing most to be dreaded in the
settlement is compromise. His motto WAS, the
Union forever as our fathers made IT.; but lib.
erty forever. with or without the Union. His
own liberty, he would assert, not that Of Sambo
and Pompey. He could mako no cOmpI Omise
unless he compromised his right to oppose the
extension Of slavery. Such compromise would
prove continual war. Is not one Mexico enough
tor half n continent?
He did not say that slavery would be ami.
hilatcd, but the political prestige and power Of
slavery was gone forever. In the conduct of
this war, 1t was time 10 look The ep'my in He
eye 1t had declared, ~ am slavery" We
persisted in replying, "Y"u are not slavery,
but rebellion" Slavery was the aggressor. and
had earned traitors doom. Conservatism at
first stood aghast at the order for tho use OF
" contrabands," but II was soon cordially en-.
dorsed by all. Then tho progressive sentiment
of Fremont that all the slaves of lighting reb-
els be free, was enthusiastically hailed, and
soon every Union man would be brought tn the
mark Of Andy johnson, that "nn traitor has a
right to own any thngn
He concluded with u magnificent peroration
expressive of his flilf that, though tic sky is
dark and angry, and the winds hnwlns, yet in
| II little while tie bow would be seen, and the
| dove OF peace go forth to bless tho land.
The strongest points with reference to slave, y
were received with thunders Of applause.