Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-08-07
Hon. B. ii. Hili's Speech
ON THE -ar
CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY
Del.rerea at atlanta, on the 18th July, 1867.
Ladies and Eello,p. citizens:

lIUutSS uUI IGLUV'CtLtSENo
Human governments, like everything else
human, naturally tend to decay. They car
only be preserved by constant watchfulness
courage and adherence to correct principles
These remarks apply with unusual force te
free governments, which are the most difficult
of all to MAINTAIN. If We, the people OF tne
United States, were the nrst in history who
had attempted the experiment of living under
Democratic or Republican form of govern
ment, we might be excused if we failed te
discover the symptoms OF approaching deatn
and to apply the remedies to preserve our
liberty and the blessings we have heretofore
enjoyed But we are not the first who have
made this experiment. Other peoples aud
nations, for thousands of years, have had
Colnmonwealths, Republics. aud Democraclcs
which have risen and fallen times almost
without number. l but assert great truth
-one which finds no contradiction or eXcep'
ton in all history-when say that the grea!
leading and substantial causes OF the decay OF
freedom in all countries have ever been the
same. How inexcusable must we be if we
fail to discover the symptoms, and how cow
ardly and recreant if we fail TO apply the
proper remedy to prevent SO foul death
No people ever commenced to build up a
free government under such favorable auspices
as we. What climate, soil, variety of pro-
ductions aud material resources do we possess
and what an ancestry and what common
struggle for liberty did our fathers pass
through? Did any people ever before com
merce with such advantages Rome com
menced as small city, aud was dcspised by
the barbarians around it. She extended her
power by her arms, and increased ill at las;
she became mistress of the world. We com
meuced with such people, Country and pro-
ductons as no people ever hai before: and We
had fewer dissensiGns and clements Of di5cord
than any people ever snt' ed from; and
Proridcnce, as If to separate us from the
crimes and corrup:ing influences Of he old
world, spread oIt this great continent before
US, with the wide SEA TO separate us from
them, with no influence CT monarchy and op'
pressive systems to threaten or make war
upon us. If We fail, it will be by our own
folly. What excuse can We render to oar
posterity and to the world, il we. IN this day,
with the lessons of history before US, allow
free institutions TO perish on this continent
And our race will have been the soonest run.
We have not yet lived a century. 1t is but
seyenty-eight years since The Constitution
was formed, and bu. ninety one years since
independence was declared by our fathers,
while .he Commonwealth Ct Rome lived four
huadred years before the measures which pro-
duccd her decay We're proposed. What a
spectacle The best people, the richest soil,
the most valuable productions, established as
If by the providence of God,'ns new era in
the history of the world-and Kidding fair to
be the shortest lived Of any fre government
4Hss44ai t4s 4istn5S (; ny ittIshi43 qf tnsiiq9s
serr it without fear OF contradiction-in dis
covering when and how u ralicn IS dyipg.
carro now 60 into an ANALYSIS of all the symp-
toms cf national decay and death. 1t is Only
important to present the leading one which
controls all others which existing. produces
all others and which being reinea:ed, cures
all others. Then hsar il the great symptom,
OF Tie decay and death Of a government
the disregard Of tie FUy3AMcHTAL LAW {
that government. Whenever a people com
10 treat lightly their own Fundamental! Ia"
;hey have arrived ct the most dangeroI
poi;i: that is possible, shcrL Of en,ire Ge>.ruc
ilon. Republics, above aii oiaer kind OF gov
ernrientS are main;ai;ed by respect for Law
If the people OF the United State, fail to hav
Il sacred regard for their own iaw-wlich
not like that Of other nations, 10 be- Gsccr
tained By argument, by decision. or b: searc'
ing, but is plain and wisely 'criften Constit
tion-they will deserve the awnl fate III
awaits chem; AID he who disrrga7dS It's pla'
language has 70 excuse ,os icld himself iroi
the injamy Of traitor! Appaus" OF
as it is-tram rlef unon, toru aad ta;lcred
it is-my theme to-day is tic Constitution {
our country ard for all. our country. Al
plause. charge before Heaven ana t.
American people this day, that every evil +
which we have been al cted is a'trbuta ;,
10 . departure frorn the Constitution. Tirkes
may work, qnacks may prescribe, and dem
cogups jssy deceive bit declare to You ,hr
there IS no relicdy fur US, and no ho,je
escape the threatened evils, but in adheringo
the Constitution.
Feiow-citizens Pardon me while | sy
that in presenting my views, l think of 10
living man. .indiriaaaily, to whom my G.
parks ere to apply. have come TO Tx
freely to you about the dangers of the con-
.ry. Little minds ascgibe littc objects to
hose whose views they DO uot agree with, nd
lie has attained an unenviable reputation
shose friends say "you mean him. whe l
I'M speaking of treachery and showing he
Evil consequences of certain line of p0cy.
have no personal attacks to mako on an ne.
ny, even il | have one. God knows If cold,
With my own hands, would gladly plae
rown of imperishable honor on the bro1 of
ny most bitter foe, if could thereby re -,e
ny country from the periIs that evirollt!
Applause. But if | have en- enemy, ard
ave yinactive spirit, and desired hu 20
ecome forever infamous, could ask no more
him than that he should support the ihelsa
chcnes OF those who are nov seeking to
nbyert the Cons and destroy ou. lib
Fty. lie is digging grave FOR himself stitch
ostcrity will never water with tear. Let
IN alone. have come to discuss the present.
hase Of the revolution.
We have had war which ragged furiolsly
r four years. 1t originated simply in adif-
renee of opinion as to our rights underline
oastitulion. This difference existed Eom
e first. Itexisted among the trainers olthe
onstitution. 1t could not be settled by ar
imcnt, and an appeal was made TO the sword.
was an open, manly fight. There was roh
& secret Of ambiguous ll tue issue. Itwas
aged by mon influenced in The n,asses by
'triotic emotions on both sides; and il was
vt to destroy the Constitution, but to assert
each side their different views. On our i
10 it was asserted that the Staics were sepa-
tie and Independent sovereigutics, and that $
Constitution was compact, which each ]
rty was at liberty to dissolve at will, and
we seeded aud declared ourselves out of {
e Union. On the other hand, it was con. /,
ldeG that We were not out of the Union-
understanding our secession acts and that
e Constitution was not compact, but t
,ding law upon the States resulting from IL j
= n,,1 al T..