The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-09-18

presentatiyes Of our ancestors, with Washington at
!helr mead after four months deliberations adopted
the Federal Constitution an instrument as remar,-
able Tor the circumstances that gave birth fo nj for
the reverence with which from 11 o e,ero w or
uon II mas been handed down to us thai there has
pIoDaDiy been no record of like Character which
eNerted so important influence on thc histo ~ -
goTeernment or the rise and progress Of a people
. Ihe political condition OF the country at the time ~
its adoption, in some OF It's aspects was moi u,,r
the present We had inst concluded war upon tbe
That war, combined with other crcumstances mas Ied
to the formation Of parties widely differing in
seemed but little hope of CONSTRUCTING Il mon "n
plan on which the two extremes would ever units
Upon one side political leaders striving to estab.
lish q strong and consolidated government iynos;nr,
almost the governments Of the States whilst ON tbs
other were those who were for investing the latter
with all substantial authority and making the general
government little more than their general agent
These leaders-honest, doubtless, all OF them IN
their Opnons-had, by their continual discussion and
the widely different views they promulgated, brought
the country to critical condition and filed tbe n,i6d
of its most rejecting people with serious fears that the
great results OF the war would be swept away by these
jarring elements.
In consequence alone Of these discussions and the
mutual jealouses and suspicious they engendered
four years elapsed after the close of the war before
any consent could be procured either from Congress
or the States for the assembling of Constitutional
Convention, and with the acknowledged mperfections
OF the existing articles OF confederation and amidst
the most disheartenng embarrassments, the result
chiefly OF those imperectons, the country staggered
judicial department.
Then atlast there assembled that iustrious body
which we live. They represented, undoubtedly con-
sntuents maintaining each Of the governments to
which have adverted; but, mindful of the condition
of the country resolved, if possible, to it, and
with this noble purpose, resisting the impatient be-
hests of party, they renounced the ultraism which
distinguished both the consolidation and State rights
schools, and provided a government which so judi
cously combined the two principles, and distinctly
assigned to each its proper sphere that the moderate
and rejecting Of all parties united in its support and
the Constitution received the unanimous ratification
After the lapse OF three-quarters of century, and
after it had elevated us to point of national impor-
tance and renown which its most ardent advocates
could have predicted, it was destined to en-
counter its first great trial.
am not about to recur to the history Of the Rebel
lon-to the passions that prompted It's leaders, the
metaphysical plauslbites by which they seduced
their followersbut it was only after the theories to
which they had been long attached had been allied
with more substantial and powerful interests, that
fathers which they and all OF us had so often
sworn allegiance.
How it resulted it is scarcely necessary to remind
you. The people, though occasionally differing
questions OF construction of doubtful clauses Of the
Constitution had yet been trained in such habits of
for all its undlsputed provisions, that no
section and no party that ventured to express
contrary sentiments could unless blinded by insane
passion, have foreseen aught but ultimate ruin and
annihilaton and although the late Rebellion, by
combination of yarous interests influences and Issues
sustained itself for four years with wonderful energy
and though at times and to limited extent there
subordinate issues invoked also against it, yet
the great original abiding and conclusive force that
filled armies and fought our battles was the reso-
lutte purpose stand by the Consultation OF fathers
commenced the war, and on this line, thanks to our
noble army and their distinguished commander, we
fought it out to signal and complete triumph.
But now when we had safely passed what for the
last thirty years had been generally reckoned the
other results of the conflict had filed us with the
highest hopes of the future, and given U.S. as we sup
present, suddenly, evil influences are found still at
work-sometimes in the shape OF fears, honest or
bT OF m s G
iuries in the past more frequently than either per-
haps, insgated by old party leaders, who play npon
these fears and memories with no other object to re-
cover some old Office power they have lost or to
retain others they have more lately won.-until our
exultaton at the results we have achieved is arrested
by apprehension of evils yet to come
Think not for a moment my friends, that am
about to desecrate the soemnies of such an occasion
by any discussion of the partisan topics OF the day.
lines be ever SO drawn that plea for the Consttu-
tion shall be reckoned badge of party fealty The
only party in whose behalf 1 would this day raise
voice the party OF moderation and concation the
only party against which would this day warn you,
is made up of those utras of all sides whose agitatons
have contributed so largely to the disasters of the past
and which, II notarTested, may be the orerunncr of
others equally deporable in the future Against such
agiatons would therefore invoke, and take this
| an appropriate occasion of doing so-the moderate,
disinterested, rejecting and patriotic people of the
country. 1t was by this class have already said,
that the Constitution created, and 1t will be by
| this class that it must be saved.
If it still contain defects, If it Is growing absolute
or keeps not with the progressive ideas OF the age
scribe But whilst il is sti acknowledged as our or
ganc law, and we daily swear to its allegiance let it
be in all political controversies the umpire whose
| decree shall be final.
Come the peril to it whence may from State rights
or consolidation, let this, the anniversary of its
adoption, in the name Of the men who made it, by the
memory Of the men who have died for it, upon this
spot, where blood has been profusey shed in its be-
ha appeal to you TO preserve protect and defend II.
Hymn.
COMPOSED by THE REV. EDWARD MEYER, OF PENNsYL'
| vANIA
| AFf-"AnlertcQ."
| Hallowed be all around
| This place is holy ground
| Henceforth, for aye;
| Here mountain shadows
| Der many cherished grave,
| Where sleep the young and brave,
Home from the fray!
| II.
Here where the flash and roar
/ Battle and carnage bore
| Over the main,
| Soft on your lowy bed,
| Rest your fame-aureld head,
| Our noble patriot dead,
By treason slain,
III.
Griefstricken hearts have throbbed-
Sable-clad homes have sobbed
Far from your rest;
Listened for steps in vain
That never should come again,
To swell the YctOr's train,
From East to Westl
Antietams liquid gem
Murmurs your requiem
In mournful strainl
Angels unseen stand near,
Bright guard of honor here,
Till Christ, our Lord, appear,
Mighty to reign!
v.
Silence and sadness round
No hnfrIa narffaI