The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-06-10


lives as a sacrifice upon the altar OF
their country.
Let me therefore ask your attention for
few moments TO some OF the causes aud
some OF the results Of the war. For
years before the war there had ragged
in this country a fierce aud bitter con-
fiict OF ideas. The antagonism between
freedom and slavery was not the only
impressible conflict in this country
That the institution OF slavery had
much to do ia shaping political
theories and cast it's baneful influence
upon the consideration OF all public
questions no one denies. But outside
Of the question OF slavery there had
been growing a wide difference of opin-
ion among citizens Of different sections
upon questions lying at the very foun-
dation of our Government. The men
OF the South insisted that the Govern
ment was but partnership Of inde-
pendent sovereign States, from which
any member had the right 10 withdraw
at pleasure. This was called the right
of secession. They had another theory
mole dangerous than the assumed
right OF secession because IL logically
included il, and that was that each
State, that any State, was superior to
all the States. That one member OF the
partnership or confederacy was superi-
or 10 the whole partnership or confed-
eracy. That the highest aud first al.
legiance Of the citizen was due 10 his
State, and that he owed no allegiance
TO theGovernment OF the United States
where its claims and the claims OF his
State came in conflict. That oonse-
quently the United States Government
could exercise no authority in any
State, except as permitted by that
State. That was the doctrine OF State
rights. II is true they were not always
consistent with the logic OF their claim.
II made vast difference in their appli-
cation of these doctrines what interests
we're affected by them. III q man in the
south had the temerity 10 speak his shon-
est sentiments against human slavery he
was in great danger Of being mobbed,
and the United States Government had
no right tO interfere for his protection.
But, on the other hand, when poor
slave with infinite labor and risk, had
reached the blessed territory OF free
dom, then no barriers which the State
could erect were sufficient TO stay the
strong arm of the Government reach
ing out TO reclaim the poor fugitive
In such n case as that this Government
was a nation whose jurisdiction stretch
ed from ocean TO ocean, from the great
lakes TO TO the Gulf of Mexico. For
protecting citizen in the South
from violence no warrant could
be found in the constitution, aud
the Government wGs powerless. For
reclaiming fugitive slave the whole
power OF the nation should be brought
into requisition. The army, the navy
IL necessary, the State militia, every in
dividual citizen OF any State could be
called upon TO join in the chase. For
, such case as that what extensive pow
ers had this great nation. No state rights
conld then interfere. This was a nation
, whose strong arm reached TO the far
therest nook and corner OF every State
the Union.
The great majority OF the people Of
the North denied these pestilent theo-
ries. They believed that this Govern
ment was a nation and not n confed
cracy Of States, and that no State had
the right 10 withdraw from il, under
/. any pretext whatever. They believed
further that in its proper sphere it,
authority was absolute, aud not subject
10 the dictation OF any State.
For years the conflict went on, grow
ing hotter and fiercer year by year On
the one hand it was the institution OF
slavery stimulating the greed, the lust,
all the bad passions OF the South. On
the other hand il was the awakened
conscience Of the North, girding ITS
loins for another great struggle for hu-
man liberty. The actual conflict OF
orms was inevitable. | am net OF those
who believe that the war might have
been avoided by concession OF compro-
; mise. 1t might have been postponed,
J but il could net be avoided. Sooner
) or later is was sure to come. 1t came
at last with oil its horrid train Of mis-
cry and distress, and when il closed
: with the triumphant vindication Of the
national authority, it left the institu-
tiou of slavery dead upon the field Of
battle.
Now there were certain great results
brought about by the inexorable logic
! Of events, which we believed ought TO
be made secure beyond all possibility
I OF change. / think / shall be quite
3 within bounds when l say that never
D before in the history Of the world was
' any nation called upon 10 decide so
; many questions of such vast import
; ance and such wide-reaching signih-
2 canoe. as fell 10 the lot OF the people
1 of the United States at the close OF the
D war. There were the great questions
E growing out Of the abolition Of slave
! ". The new rights of the freedmen,
1 and the new and grave duty OF the
8 Government 20 see that those rights
i were secured and protected.
There were grave questions connect.
y cd with the subject Of the reconstruc-
: ton Of the revolted States. These
! great questions, after thorough and
careful consideration by the best states
Z men Of the land, crystalIzed, so Il
: speak, in certain amendments 20 the
! constitution. To make the. settlement
Of those great questions permanent
!, and put them beyond the reach Of the
u changing aud capricious whims Of the
;, people, il was deemed best 10 engraii
q = the results upon the fundamental lsv
y Of the land. Slavery had perished il
q the shock Of battle, and so TO guart
:, against it's re-establshment il was or
. dained in the organic law Of the lane
i that involuntary servitude, except as
~ punishment for crime, should neye
"a exist upon the soil OF this government
20 A race besotted in ignorance. and lie
y graded by generations Of most debas
. lug servitude, had been suddenl'
Q. raised to n condition OF freedom. -
~ They were in a sad and pitiable condi
tion indeed. Deprived OF the protec
~ ton which their former money valu
ID secured for them, they were at tn
te mercy OF their former masters. The
Ve could not sit on iuries: they could no
g testify in courts OF justice agains
he white man, aud the poor, helples
as creatures could be robbed and plundeI
es ell, beaten, aud outraged in any mau
te ner, however cruel and inhuman, i
~ open day, in the face Of whole CON
., munity Of colCred people. aud II n
no white person were present by whom Tia
Mt offence could be proved the offender va
he entirely beyond the reach OF justice. =
'r- Aud SO this Justice loving people sal
lie this must not be so. You freedmen {
q the South must have an equal chanC
II. with us in the eve Of the Law. Yo
ch shall be citizens Of this great Republi,
we aud in this free land OF ours the Law
on shall be, not for rich men nor poo
10. men, not for wise men nor for ign,
ell rant men, not for white men nor Il
on black men, but for MEN. and on Ga.
by broad rlatforuo wa all alan stand