Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-08-11
Mortester Dailp Spp
To the Union League of Philadelphia -


Gentlemen Your letter has been receiv-
ed in which you have done me the honor of
requesting me to address the members of the
Union League of Philadelphia upon subjects
connected with the present state Of public at-
fairs. | have expected, until recently, to be
able to comply with your invitation; but as
my engagements will, for the present, place it
out of my power to do so, beg permission to
make Il few suggestions fol your cOnsidera-
ton.
DANGERS IN THE PRESENT CRISIS OF THE WAR.
However brilliant the success of our militia
ry operations has been, the country is en-
compassed by dangers. Two wars are still
waged between the citizens of the United
States-a war of arms and war of ideas.
Achievements in tlc field cannot much out
strip the victories of the forum. While we
fix our attention upon the checkered fortunes
of our heroic soldiers, and trace their march,
es over hills aud villages made memorable
through all time by their disasters or their
trumphs; while we are filled with alternating
hopes and fears, with civilizations and disap-
pOintments; while our brothers and sons are
rudely torn from their homes, and the weeds
of the mother and sister record in the family
the fearful glory of the fallen brave; while
the movements of our vast armies, in all the
pomp, pride, and circumstance of glorious
their brilliant successes fill the head and
heart, let us not forget that there is another
war, waged by men not less brave, for victO-
rieS not less renowned than are won ON battle
fields.
The deadly struggle is between civilization
and barbarism--freedum and slavery -rvpub-
lcanism and ristocracy-loyalty and treason.
The true patriot will watch with profound in
terest the fortunes of this intellectual and mo-
raj conflict, because the issue involves the
country'S safety, prosperity, and honor. If
victory shall crown the efforts of those brave
men who believe and trust in God, then shall
all this bloody sacrifice be cOnSecratcd, and
the years of suffering shall exat us among the
nations; if we fail, no triumph OF brute force
can compensate the world for our unfathuma-
Bile degradation.
Let us then endeayOr to appreciate the diff
cutleS OF our present position. Of several
subjects to which, were it now in my power, l
would ask your earnest attention, can speak
OF one only.
AS the success of the Union cause shall be-
come more certain and apparent to the enc
my in various localities, they will lay down
arms and cease fighting Their bitter and
deep-rooted hatred Of the government and of
all northern men who are not traitors and of
all southern men who are loyal will still re-
main interviewer in every fibre of their hearts,
and will be made, if possible, more intense
by the humiliation of conquest and subju-
CATION. The foot of the Conquerer planted
upon their proud Accks will not sweetcn their
tempers, and their defiant and treacherouS ma
ture will seek to revenge itself in murders, as
sassnations, and all underhand methods OF
venting a spite which they dare not manifest
by open war, and in driving out of their Dor
dcrs ali loyal men. TO suppose that Union
number Of men among Il people vino have
strained every nerve and made every sacrifice
to destroy the Union indicates dishonesty, in
sanity, or fcebleneSs of intellect.
The inhabitants of the conquered districts
will begin by claiming the right to exercise the
powers of government, and under their con-
structlOn Of state rights, to get control of the
lands, personal property, slaves, free blacks,
and poor whites, and IA legalized power,
through the instrumentality of state laws
made to answer their own purposes, to OPP
pose and prevent the execution Of the consti-
tuition and laws of the United States, within
districts of the country inhabited by them.
Thus, for instance-when South Carolina
shall have ceased lighting, she will say to the
president, "We have now laid down our arms,
we submit to the authority of the United States
government. You may restore your custom
house, your courts of justice; and if we hold
any public property, we give it up; we now
have chosen senators and representatives to
congress, and demand their admission, and
the full establishment OF all our state rights
and our restoration to all our former privilege
eS and lmmunlties as citizens of the United
States" This demand is made by men who
are traitors in heart; men who hate and de-
spise the Union; men who never had patri-
otto sentiment; men who, If they could, would
bnuu pvarV friend nf the Government Rut
for the sake of getting power into their own
hands by our concession, which they could
not obtain by tighting-and for the sake of
avoiding their national crimes, they will de-
mand restoration under the guise Of claiming
state rights.
What will be the consequences of yielding
to this demand? They will gain the right of
managing their affairs according to their will
and pleasure, and not according to the will and
pleasure of the people of the United States
They will be enabled by the intervention of
the state laws and courts to pat and maintain
themselves in eifectual and perpetual OPPOSE
ton to the laws and constitution of the United
States, as they have done for thirty five years
past. They will have the power to pass such
local laws as will etlectuay exclude all north
ern men, all soldiers, all tree blacks and all
persons and things which shall be inconsist-
ent with the theory of making slavery the
corner stone OF thelI,lOcal government; and
they may make slavery perpetual, in violation
OF the laws of the United States and the proc
lamation of the president They may continue
the enforcement of those classes of laws
against free speech and freedom of the press,
winch Will forever exclude popular education
and all other means of moral social and pollt~
ical advancement. They may send back to
congress the same traitors and conspirators
who have once betrayed the country into civil
war, and who will thwart and embarass all
measures tending to restore the Union Inv
harmonizing the interests and institutions ~
the people; and so, being introduced into
camp, as the wooden horse into Trov. gain h,,
fraud and treason that which they conld not
achieve by feats Of arms. The insanity of
statc-right's doctrines will be nourished and
strengthened by admitting back conquered
people as our equals, and its baleful influence
cannot be estimated.
The solemn pledge of freedom offered to the
colored citizens by congress and theprocama-
ton would be broken, and the country and the
government covered with unspeakable intamy
Even foreign nations might then justly consid-
er us guilty of treachery to the cause of hu-
mainly and civilization.
Suppose, to-day, tue rebellion quelled and
the question put, Will you now give up to
your enemy the power Of making your laws !?
Eastern Virginia, Florida and Louisiana are
now knocking at the door of congress Tor ad-
mission into the union. Men come to Wash
inUtnn nhosan Inv handful of associates