The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-05-30
. ernlux Star and Catholic Messenger.
The Future Of the Republic.
RECONSTRUCTION AND RECONCILIATION.

Soutb left the Union with regret, aud only |
because che was made to believe tine N"r'n
would NOT adhere to the coDstituti"n.
believe that every intelligent man Will DC
compelled to snstain the proportion which |
/ fearlessly proclaim that the SOUTH meyer
was an enemy to the constitution she
was goaded and provoked into secession
by what she believed was iDtidelities 20 the
consultation. But there Ia not line,
there ia not a record in existence to justify
the charge that any Southern State was
ever faitbless to the union of our fathers
under the constitution. Now, the trouble
North has been this that they have lost
sight Of the union as a Principle. The real
difference between the North and Soath
will express to you in few words. Inc
North, having full confidence in her physi-
cal power, has sought to defy the Cnion
as q Fact. as expressed 1t on a former oc-
,casion. 1t never has occurred to the mas
see of the Northern people yet, that WINE
they are deifying the Union as fact' , ay
may utterly destroy it as Principle. me
Union as principle may be very differ
eut thing from the Union as q fact: Inc
Union as fact may be an empire 1t may
be o despotism it may be monarchy.
While the Union as principle ia Union
Republican in form. You see the difference.
The North, confident in her physical power
and impassioned by the appeals OF her
politicians, who sought to acquire power,
have lost sight of the great danger that, in
preserving the Union in form, they may
convert what is a free Republic into
consolidated empire. On the other hand,
the Southern people, not being physically
strong, have studied the union as Union
of principle, and looking TO the principle
of union as their safety, they came to re-
gard the Union as desirable only because
Of the principles upon which it was organ
lied. Thus it has happened that, while
the South has endeavored to preserve the
principle at the expense of the fact, the
North Las been expecting to preserve the
fact at the expense of the principle. The
remedy is for patriots everywhere TO
unite the fact and the principle and keep
them forever together. In that event we
shall not only have union but also free
government. We shall have constitutional
government and constitutional union.
And this much will say Ii the North
will covenant that the Union shall be
constitutional, the South will covenant that
the Union shall be eternal. Now does 1t
not occur to yOu that such plain PROPOSE
lions as these, 80 we'll fortified 10y the I'M
fortunate history Of the country, leave q
door omen for reconciliation, for peace
permanent peace 1t does 30 occur to me
feel it. AT the same time such have been
the passions of the respective sections thai
there is but one way To get at the lntelii
gence of the North on this subject and re
move the prejudices that have fixed upof
such speeches as I am making here to
night, because they would not hear them
Their ears are closed to all 'er pdrte speech
es. Your OratOrs cannot do 1t by making
speeches at the North for the same reason
1t is Chi. fiy through debates in Congress
that the minds at the people must be reach
ed. There all sidee are heard, and tn
people will lsten, and truths will sparkl
from the c DGict like fire from the collision
of flint and steel. Errors will be corrected
prejudices allsyed. suspicions. 9u,eted an
measures of healing will be provided. TIL
consuming flame of sectional passion vii
be uueoched, aud those who keep thes
passsoDs alive by abusing the high trus,
Of power in order 10 keep themselves
place, will be rebuked by the patriotic pee
pie of all sections Of the country.
1t 10 because of the fearful responsibilities
attaching 10 seat in Congress that l hav
not been willing to seek the position. 1t
because l am unwilling to shrink from dut
that have been unwilling to refuse to AZ
cept the position if rendered by the peopl
IA uy opinion it is criminal to rush upo
such Responsibilities, and it is uupatriot
to avoid them.
What n work is to be performed by Il
statesmen of this generation In glo
if successful, in shame IL unsuccessful, the
isuo era in the history of free governmen
which can approach it in magnitude.
revolution whose auimating principle h
been hate-must be arrested. States viii
have been belligerent, mnst be made a
cordant eections which have been allie
ated must be reunited people W
have shed fraternal blood, must be ma
friends, and Union that has been mai
tanned by force, must be made again
Union of consent. If this great work C
succeed if a sincere peace. honorable
all parties, can he made !; If the spirit
patriotism can be- revived and made
animate all of our living, as it animated
of our ancestors, to mutual glory and co
mon veal; then the history of the hum
race can furnish no parallel to the wea
aud power and grandeur which await
American people of the dawning centu
But II this work shall fail, if this strife
section and spirit of hate shall continI
if those in power shait fan the flames
passion to keep themselves in place if
tionaI statesmen shall still ii nd pleasure
devisinG sectional wrongs, and the Fed'
Government shall still furnish troops
foment and snstan usurpatiOns over Sta
then no pen can describe the horrors
await us. Free government wilt peri
disunion will come disiutegration
and PalnnRneaian