Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-04-14

aut band of pa!ros id when they vens forth to this
war manfred with no metive but thorough devotion
70 and an ardent attachment for constitutional liberty
To deend this and maintain IL nviosts for themselves
ana those who should sf;er them, was their sole
ob,c Their ancient rights ussges institutions and
bsrtes were tbreatsned oY an nsolent foe, who hsd
trsmpled the Constitution of our common ancestors
under foot They and We ell had quit the Uaon when
he rights of all Of no longer respected urdeT
IL but we had rescued tue Cons tsutionhe ark Of thu
cosenantand this is what they went to defend These
were the sentiments with which your armies raised
IS 4 by magic. These are the sentiments with which
reenlstmeuts for the war have bceu made. These
the sentiments with which Jour ranks would have been
filed the last man. whose services be relied upon
In action II conso pson had never been resorted to.
Yeu cannot therefore, send these gallant defenders
Of constitutional liberty more cheering metage than
that while they bat ling fer their rights and the
common rights Of ali in tie field, you are keeping
s.cred watch and guard over the same in the pubic
eoGncils. TEsy viii enier tie renewed yigor
ffom the assurance that tLer toll and escfihce and
blood win not be ia vain, but that when the strife IS
oYsr aud Independence is acknowledged il will not be
bare name, shadow aud mockery, but teat, with
i they and their children sfier them shall enjoy that
liberty tor which they perl all Next to this, the
most encouraging message you could send them ia that
while all feel tbat the brunt Of the 6ght must be borne
by them ssd tie Only boPe of success Is IN the
power OF their arm yet every possible and honorable
effort will be made by the civil departments OF the
Government to terminals the struggle by negotiation
and adjustment upon the principles for which they en-
tered the contest.
Gentlemen, have dressed you longer than / ex-
peeled to be abe to DO. Ny strength will not allow me
10 say more DO not know that shall ever address
you again you again. Great events have passed
nee standing in this place. three years ago. addressed
your predecessors on similar request, upo1 the ques
iio1s then Immediately pending present troubles
Many who We.e then with Us have since passed away
in Gha ordinary while OF them
have fallen upon the ea!te field oeriog up their lives
Ia the great cause in WHICH engaged Sill great
er events may be just ahead Of What fate fortune
sNais you me. in the contingencies Of she times Is
unknown to Us all. We may meet again, or We me-
not But as parting rsmemhranee, aifs'' n-Le 10,
= 81 t.grasel On yoa uisLaoii-s and your hearts
you against that most insdious enemy which APP
caches with her syren song. "Independencs frs. aod
liberty afterwards" II is false dsludon. Lbry ID the
aliu&tDg Spirit the soul OF system OF Government
and like the sou LOT man. when once lost o'eye'
There il for it no redemp ol except through blood
Never for q moment permit yourselves t. look upon
liberty, that constitutional liberty which you inherited
as birth right as subordinate to Independence The
one was resorted to, 10 secure the other L't them
be held and ch rshed objects coordinate CO
existent eo-equa, co-sval and forever irsepsrable
Let them sand together Through veal aud through
woe" and such be fate let them aud US all go
down together in q common ruin. Without liberty,
would sot turn upon my heel fer independence
all Independence which does not secure liberty
/ warn you also sgaInst another atl deu ion, COM
monty dressed up in the fascinating language Of III We
are 70 have master, Who would not prefer to have
Southern one to Northern one2" Use no such
language. OountenAnce none such. Evil communiea-
tiO1s are as coSruptiug in politics as in morals.
"V.cs is a monster of such hideous mien,
That to be hated needs but TO be seen.
But seen too Oft familiar with her face,
We frs: endure, then pity, then embrace"
would not turn upon my heel to choose between
masters WAS not born to have master from either
to- Ncrth orSouth. shall never choose between can
di aes for that ofce-sha deg ade the right OF
sIifa in such an election. have no wish or desire
to live after the degradation Of my country, and have
no intention to survive its liberties life be the neces-
sary sacrifice of their maintenance, viii maintsin
them to the utmost ofmy ability, to the bitter end. Az
fer myself give liberty secured in the Consttr-
ton, with all its guarantees among which is the SOY
eregnty Of Georgia, or give me death. This is my
motto while living, snd want no better epsph when
am dead.
Senators and Representatives, the honor, the rights,
the dignity the glory OF Georgia lin your hands. See
to IT, as faithful sentnes upon the WatchSower that no
or dsrmeot to any Of those high aid sacred
trusts while committed to your charge. immense
cheers and applause.