The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1867-08-15
FeAoie- Caisens:


Tuesday, july i6; 1857.
Fcklor- Caisens:
Pardon me while say that, in pre-
senting my views, | think Of no living
man, individually, to whom my remarks
are to apply, Ihaye come to talk freely
to you about the dangers Of the country.
Little minds ascribc little objects 60
those whose views they do not agree
with, and he has attained au suuenvia-
bic reputation whose friends say "you
mean him. when j am speaking Of
trcachery aud showing the evil conse-
quences Of certain line Of policy, |
have no personal attacks to make on an
enemy, even IL | have one, God knows
If could, with my own hands, | would
gladly place crown Of imperishable
honor on the brow Of my most bitter
foe, If | could thereby rescue my coun-
try from the perils that environ it -
[Applause.] But if l have an enemy,
aud vindictiye spirit, and desired him
to become forever infamous, | could ask
no more Of him than that he should
support the hellish schemes Of those
who are now seeking to subycrt the
Constitution aud destroy our liberty
lie is digging a grave for himself which
posterity will never water with tear.
Let him alone. ] have come to discuss
the present phase of the revolution.
We have had a war which ragged fur
iously for four years, 1t originated
simply in a difference of opinion as to
our rights under the Constitution. 1his
difference existed from the first. IL
existed among the trainers Of the Con-
stitutiou. 1t could not be settled By
argument, and an appeal was made to
the sword IL was IN open, mauly fight.
There was nothing secret or ambiguous
in the issue. 1t was wsged by men in-
ilueueed in tho masses by patriotic emo,
tions on both sides; aud it was not to
destroy the Consultation, but to assert
IN each side their different views. On
our side il was asserted that the States
we're separate and independent sovcr-
eighties, and that the Constitution was
compact, which each party was atlib-
erty TO dissolve at will, and SO we sece.
ded and declared ourselves ont If the
Uuion. Gu the other hand, IL was con-
tended that we were not ssnt oil the
Union, Notwithstanding our secession
acts; and that the Constitution was not
a compact, but binding law upon the
States resulting from u compact, aud
therefore no one Of tho number could
dissolve the connection ut will. Upon
this issue we went 10 war. The war
was fought till we laid down our arms
and agreed to what our enemies said
that We were ia the Union.
But there is now another question &c
settle IL is still within the range oil
argument. Its proportions are huge
The issues are startling. II is not a diff.
ference OF opinion as to what the Con
siitution means, and what are our rights
under it; but its object is plaitily, uu'
nistakably, to set asidcthe Constitution
and provide something else. have
never doubted that we were coming L
this issue. In speeches made by me
, five, six, eight, and ten years ago,
predicted this, and every page OF oul
history since that time has verified ths
prediction. The people Of the Nortl
honestly love the Constitution, but the
leaders there hate it and intend to des
tray il, aud the convulsion through
which VIC have passed has thrown til,
opportunity Of making the effort int
their hands, and the present inilitar,
bills and tha one which is not yet pro
mu!gated as law, are the means adopte,
to accomplish their design. These bill
i are proposed for our acceptance. Thar
Q is remarkable feature in these mess
/. urcs, that while force is smP.oysd b
execute them, they are not yet nomi
nally submitted to US for our acceptance
or rejection.
A object to the whole scheme, becaus
il is unconstitutional. A distinguish
: man pardon me, l ought to say nc
torious individual, said TO me q few day
ago, that | ought not 70 waste my tim
to prove the ncoostitutionality Of thes
2 measures--a thing which every mar
!, woman and child in the country knew
4 and yet he was for accepting! Hespok
!. ruthfully. That lettering, gray-haire
/ candidate in Pennsylvania for perpesui
infamy, who is building for himself
Z. monument or malicnity thar viii ovel