The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-06-02

one man may have for another. But a
still grander spectacle, and one that
teaches a nobler and more enduring
lesson to mankind, is the voluntary
sacrifice of existence the surrender
OF all the hopes the human heart can
cherish-fo the preservation of the
State. In no land or nation, either in
ancient or modern times, has there
been witnessed a grander display of
pure and exalted patriotism than in
this land Of the stars and stripes.
To be born an American, under the
dominion of the stars and stripes, and
OF American soldier parentage, is in
my estimation far higher title Of
nobility than to be descended from a
hundred earls. The effeminate lord
ling, who struts about parading his
lineage as a peacock spreads its tail,
may think, poor fool, that the blood
which courses through his veins is of
choicer quality and purer color than
that OF other men; surely than that Of
a quiet citizen of the United States
whom he passes by the way, and who
makes no claim to aristocratic ancestry,
though his grandsire was with Wash
ington at Valley Forge. It may be So;
l 40 not pretend to express an opinion
as to the comparative quality or color
OF their blood; but do know this: that
| would be a thousand times more
proud OF pedigree which could be
traced back to the ranks of Washing
tons army of patriots, than of the
hereditary right to a seat in the Eng
lish house of lords. I would rather be
the Son of a Veteran and I am proud
to say that am one-than to have the
blood of the Plantagenets in my veins.
We are just entering upon the second
century of our national existence The
century behind us has demonstrated
the profound wisdom of the patriotic
founders and builders of our republic.
The browning glory of their handiwork.
the federal constitution has come to
be acknowledged by the world as pro-
duction Of more than human wisdom.
Though it's authors were but human.
they were divinely inspired.
That orr reVered constitution may in
the resistless march OF progress require
some futher modification is to be an
ticipated. But let it not be done hast
lily, nor by any hand but those of the
wisest, most experienced and patriotic
statesmen. Beware of the restless
schemes OF politicians and ,demagogues,
who profess to find in some hastily pro-
posed change or addition to the consti-
tuition a sure panacea for all the real o..
imagined dangers that confront the
nation. From that sacred document,
the heritage of our liberties, let no I'M
hallowed hand tear fragment or efface
a line Id: :..s....... IT..
This day recalls to every American
time of fearful peril to the constitution,
to the nation, and to the great cause of
human brotherhood. The recognition
of the most damnable traffic ever en-
gagged in by human beings the institu-
tion of African slavery-was the dark
est blot on the pages of that illustrious
instrument. Had it not been there,
had the cursed thing been spurned
with righteous wrath from the thresh-
hold of the nation, you would have no
cause to-day to mourn your fallen dead.
That one concession proved well-nigh
fatal to the existence of the Union,
brought on a frightful war, and cost
the lives of hundreds Of thousands of
brave men. Slavery, not forbidden by
the constitution, grew fast and the dark
shadow of its vampire wings spread
like a pail over the nation. 1t cast a
hungry eye upon every new acquisi-
ton of territory; it resorted to fraud
and force to gain political control of
every branch of the government. Not
satisfied with the protection so I'M
wisely and unjustly afforded it by the
constitution, it's advocates arrogated to
themselves the right to Judge and con-
troll the sentiments of the whole peo-
pie, north and south. The last threat
Of all was disruption of the Union.
Take warning, hands off, let slavery
alone, or we secede,o was their cry.
They had come to the belief, fostered
and in some measure justified by the
meek submission of many public men
to the constant aggressions and en-
croachments of the slave power, that
the people of the north would make but
a feeble show of resistance to secession
by the southern states. They openly
expressed their contempt for the north,
and boasted of the power they held
over the nation. But they utterly
failed to comprehend, nor did the north
itself fully realize until the decisive
moment came, the powerful sentiment
OF the masses, nor the force and strength
Of their fidelity to the Union. There
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