Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-06-21
battle Monum mt West Poipt-ad-
dress by GEN. Mcclellan.

I Louisville Democrat.
Battle uonun mt AT west Point-Ad-
dress by Gen. Mcclellan.
On Wednesday last the ceremony took place
at Wesg Point of defeating the site for the Bat
tie Monument in commemoraion OF the officers
aud privates of the regular army. who have died
in the present war Gen. MCCLELLAN delivered
the address upon the occasion. We republish the
concluding portion. which presents his views of
THE CAUSE FOR WHICH WE FIGHT
But what is the honorable 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 children!
Soon after the close OF the Revolutionary
War, il was found that the conIederacy which
had grown up during that memorable contest
was falling to pieces from ia own weight The
central power too weak Ii could recon
mend TO the different States such measures as
seemed best and IL possessed no real power TO
legisate because it lacked the executive force to
compel obedience to its laws. The national
credit and selt-respect had disappeared, and il
feared by the friends Of human liberty
throughout the world that ours was but another
added to the long list OF fruitless attempts at
sef-GOvernmcnt The nation was evidently on
the brak OF ruin and dissolution when some
eighty years ago many of the wisest and most
patriotic OF the land met TO seek a remedy for
the great evils which threatened to destroy the
great work OF the revolution. Their sessions
were long and often stormy; Tor time the most
sangune doubted the possibility OF a successful
termination of their labors. But from amidst
the conflict OF sectional interests, OF party preu
dice and of personal seiishness the spirit of wis
IL n cd no
Constitution under which We have lived 80 long.
Ii not formed in day but the result of
practical labor, Of lofty wisdom, and of the
purest patriotism. IL was al last adopted by the
people of all the Saskatchewan by some re-
luctantly-not as being exactly what all desired,
but the best possible under the circumstances
Ii was accepted a. giving form OF govern
ment under which the nation might live happily
and prosper. long the people should con-
tinue 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 the people preserved the recOl-
lection of the miseries and Gala mites which led
TO its adoption Under this beneficial Constitution
the progress OF the nation was unsurpassed in
history. The rights and liberties OF its citizens
were secured at home and abroad; vast terrific
ries were rescued from the control of the savage
am the wild beasts, and added 20 the domain of
the Union and civilization. The arts, the SCI
enccs. and commerce grow apace: our flag hoaied
upon every sea, and took place among
the great nations of the earth. But under this
smooth surface OF prosperity upon which we
eded swiftly. with all the sails set before the
common breeze. dangerous reefs were hidden
which now and then caused ripples upon the
surface, and made anxious the more careful
pilots. Elated by success the ship swept on
the crew not needing the warnings they received,
forge,ful of the dangers escaped at the beginning
Of the voyage. and blind to the hideOus mael-
strom which gaped TO receive them The same
elements OF discord sectional preudces inter-
ests and institutions which had rendered the for
nation oi the Constitution 80 difficult threatened
more than once To DESTROY it. But for a long
time the nation was so fortunate as to possess a
series Of political leaders, who to the highest
abilities. united the same spirit of Cancellation
which animated the founders of this republic,
and thus ioF many years the threatened evils
we're avertei. Time. and the long continuance
OF good fortune, oblitsrated the recollection Of
the calaInites Of years preceding the adoption OF
the Constitution. They forget that Cancellation,
common interests. and mutual charity had been
the foundation. aud must be the support. OF our
government. and all the relations of life At
length. men appeared with abuse, sectional and
personal preiudices and interests outweighing all
considerations Of the general good Extremists
OF one section furnished the occasion, eagerly
seized a pretext by equally extreme men in the
other. tor abandoning the pacific remedies af-
iorded by the Constitution. Stripped of all
sophistry and side-issues the direct cause of the
war as II presented itself to the honest aud patri
otto citizens Of the North simply this:
Certain States, or rather portion of the in
habitauts ct certain States feared. or professed
to fear that injury would result to their rights and
nrn frnr sha olav
10 power
Although the Constitution and the actual con.
dltion Of the government provided them with
peaceabe and sure protection against the appre-
hcueei evil they prepared 70 seek security in the
destruction Of the government which could pro
tsct them and in the use OF force against national
isoops holding national fortress. To eflace the
insult oiierei to our flag 10 save ourselves from
the fate OF the divided republics of Italy aud
South America, TO preserve our government
rom destruction. 10 enforce is Just power aud
Laws; 90 msintain very existence as a nation
These we're the causes which impeled u TO draw
the sword
Rebellion against government ike ours
which contains within itself the means of self
adjustment and pacific remedy for evils should
never be COMPOUNDED with a revolution against I
iespotic power. which refuses redress of wrongs I
Such 4 rebellion cannot be justified upon ethical /
grounds, and the only alternatives for our choice
are ~ suppression OF The destruction Of our ma
iionality
CONCLUSION.
- such time this asd in such a struggle. /
political pArtisau.hip should be merged ia a true
and bFsve patriotism. ~hich thinks only of the 4
good Of the whole country twas in this cause
aud With these motives that so many of our com !
'ades have given their lives and 70 this we are all
aer-onaly pledged IN all honor and fidelity. /
Shall such devotion a. that of our dead comrades T
e OF no avai't Shall i be said in after-ages /
hat We lacked the vigoE 10 complete the work /
hus begunI That after all these noble lives so \
RELY given. We hesitatei aud failed 10 keep !