, 1866-02-28

so6o1f r. be sustained, snd tha Government
rrstcred to its former fUnctious, all the States
brought back to their practical relations m
der the Consultation, our situatfon Will be
grestlychanKed from Whafit Wss before. a
r,dica{ and fundamental change, as h.s been
stated, has been made In That organ1: law.
We shall have lost what Was known ~ our
twined with the whole framework OF our
STATE body polite. We ahall have lost nearly
haIf ri The accum u1ated capita1 of century
But we shall have still left al the essentials
Of free government contained aou
Granted By = the old Constitution,
untouched md unimpaired, as they came
even # We had to begin entirely aneW, the
prospect before us would be much more en-
couraefpe than the prospect was be fore them,
when they fed from the old World and sought
shelter n this then Wilderness land. The
Liberties We begin with they had 10 achiayo'
With the same energies and Tirtqes they d!s.
they had. With climate uariTalled IL saln,
brity, with soll unsurpassed n feft1l1ty, ana
with products upequaled IN value IN the mar
kets Of the world, to say nothing OF ouf mine,
raj resources, we shall have much Still 10 Wed
us to the good old land. With good govern
ment, the matrk from which spring an great
human achievements, we shall laca nothing
cover our former prosperity, but to attain
much higher degree of development IN every
thing that charactcrfzes great, free ana hap
py people. At least know Of no other land
Tat the SUD shines upon that otltrs better
prospects under the contingencies stated.
TILE OLD AND NEW UNION.
The old Union Was based upon the aszump-
people of n{l the States to be united rs they
we're, each State faithfully performing TO tho
people OF the other States all their obligations
nnto tie common sompact. I IL says thought
this assumption was founded upon broad cor
rect and statesmanlike principles. think 90
further to maintain It without hazardins:
| greatef eyils than would, perhaps, attend .
separation, that yielded my assent in obedi+
enceto the voice OF Georgia to try the expert
mcnt which has resulted 80 disastrously to US.
Indeed, during the whole lamentable conflict,
| It was my opinion that however the pending
strife might terminate. so far as tho appeal 10
the sword wa3 concerned, yet after awhile,
when tho passions and excitements OF tho day
should pass away, IN adjustment or arrange
n,ent would be made upon continental princl-
rles, upon the general basis Of reciprocal ad-
the Union was first established. Ny earnest de-
sire, however, throughout, Was whatever
night be- done might be peacefully done
might he the result Of calm, dispassionatG
and enlightened -reasoni looking to the per
manent' interests and welfare Of all. And
! now, after the severe chastisement Of tht
war, II the general sense Of the whole country
| shall come back to the acknowledgment o
the original assumption, that 1t IS for th'
best interests Of the States to be so united
as trust It wll, theneta&es still being "scp
arute as-the billows; but one as the sca''-
can perceive no reason WIS, under such re
storation, We, % whole, with ""peacc, com
mercc and honest friendship With all nation
and entanglinc alliances with noue," may mo-
enter upon q new career, exciting hcreaset
wonder In the old world, by grandes achieve
ments hereafter to be made than any hereto
fore attained, by the peaceful and haSmonlou:
workings Of our american Institutions o.
seEgoTernment. ALI this Is possible, II The
hearts Of the people be right It Is my earn
| est wish. to see IT, FondIy would indulge
my fancy in gazing on such picture Of tht
future. With what rapture may We not sup
pose the spirits Of our fathers would hail 1t:
opening scenes f;on their mansions above
genfies. But II, instead OF a1l this, the pas
sions Of the day shall continue To bear sway
If prejudice shall rule the hour, 1t conflict o
| races shaN arise, Il ambition shall turn the
scale, It the sword shall be thrown into the
ba'ance sgainst patriotism, II the. embers o1
new fuel they shall fame up again, then ou,
present gloom is bat The shadow, the tenum.
bra Of that deeper and darker eclipse which L
4 to totally obscure this hemisphere and blight
forever the anxious antlcipalons and expect
at1oua Of mankind! Then hereafter BY some
bard II may be sung
I "The Star 0! uopa shone brightest IN the West.
The hops ot Lid1ty, the la,s the hest;
1hat. Loo, has sdt, upon her daEkcned sh1te+
And Hope and Rsedom light up eaz'h no more ;
May VIC not ali I'll this occasion. on this IN
nivcrsa1y Of the birthday Of Washington, jot1
, fnv NV "a hat 3hR Nrpn