The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-06-23
The Cause of the War
Extract from tue Grafton De-
livered by Gen. Ct. Is. McClel.
Ian at West Point, n. Y, June
Is, 1864. .. ... .'...

But what is the honor lble and holy
cause for which these men have laid down
their lives, and for which the nation still
demands the sacrifice of the precious blood
of so many of her children2 ' 81.
Soon after the close of the Revolutionary
war, it was found that the confederacy
which had grown up during that memora-
BILE contset was falling to pieces from its
own weight. The central power was too
weak, 1t could recommend to the differ
ent States such measures as seemed best,
because it lacked the executive force to
compel obedience to IFS laws, The nation
al credit and self-respect Lad disappeared,
and it was feared by the friends of human
liberty throughout the world that ours was
but another added to the long list Of fruit
less attempts at self government. The
nation was evidently on the brink of ruin
and dissolution when some eighty years
ago many of the wisest and most patriotic
of the land met to seek remedy for the
great evils which threatened to destroy
the great work of the revolution. Their
sessions were long and often stormy; for q
time the most sanguine doubted the pos,
sibility Of successful termination of their
labors But from amidst the conflict of
sectional interests, of party prejudice and
of personal selfishness, the spirit of wisdom
and of Cancellation at length evoked the
Constitution under which we have lived 80
long. 1t was not formed in day; but was
the result of practical labor, OF lofty wis
dom, and of the purest patriotism. 1t was
at last adopted b. the people of all the
Stetes-althoueh by some reluctantly-not
as being exactly what ali desired, but the
best possible under the circumstances!
1t was accepted as giving us form of
government under which the nation might
live happily and prosper, so long as the peo-
pie should continue to be Influenced by the
same sentiments, which actuated those who
formed it, and which would not be liable
to destruction from internal causes, so long
as the people preserved the recolections of
tie miseries aud calsmites which led to its
adoption. Under this beneficial constito>
ton the progress of the nation was unsur
passed in history, The rights and liberties
of it's citizens we're secured at home and
abroad; vast territories were rescued from
the contr0lldf the savage and the wild
beasts, and added TO the domain of the
Union and civilization. The arts, the soi-
ences, and commerce grew apace; our flag
foated upon every sea, and we took our
place among the great nations of the earth.
But under this smooth surface of prospect
ty upon which We glided swiftly, with all
the sails set before the common breeze, dan
gerous reefs were hidden which now and
then caused ripples upon the surface, and
made anxious the more careful pilots. Ella
ted by success the ship went on-the crew
not needing the warnings they received,
forgetful Of the dangers escaped at the be-
ginning OF the voyage, and blind to the
iidsous maelsrom which gaped to receive |
them. The same elements Of .discord, Sec
tional prejudices, interests and Institutions
which had rendered the formation Of the |
constitution so difficult, threatened more
than once to destroy it. But for. long
time the nation was SO fortunate as to pos !
sess series of political leaders, who to the
highest abilities, united the same spirit of
which animated the founders of
this republic, sad thus fer many many Years
the threatened evils were averted. Time, I
asd the long continuance of good fortune,
oblitersted the recollcct.ons Of the calami-