Year: 1863

THE Project or EMANCIPATION WILL PRoJ0NG TRE





The project of emancipation, we fear, will pro-
long the war. Whether intended or not like the
unconstitutional creation of new States, il viii
have the effect of placing an obstacle in the way
of the restoration of the Union, the great object
for which should contend. We are told that
the belief that slavery Is the cause of the war,
and that the war can never cease aud the life of
the nation be preserved until slavery be aboI-
ishej, has led to departure from the original
purpose of the war. This is the radical error of
the emancipationists. Slavery is no more the
cause of the war than gold is the cause Of rob-
berry or murder. With The same proprietv il
might be said that commerce the cause of
our last war with Great Britain, and that com
merce should be abolished because the impress
ment ol American seamen led TO the collision.
In all these cases the evil passions of men, tax
ing the form OF illegal action, we're the antece-
dent cause. Ii men will reform themselves, keep
within the law and observe constitutional require
ments, there is no reason why we should not live
together as harmonoIslv ancestors did in
the earlier days of the Republic Abolition and
secession are the authors of our calamity, and alb
clifton is the parent of secession To those who
regard slavery sin, and were impeled by a
law which they esteem higher than the Consttu-
ton, TO effect emancipation at all hazards, il
would be useless to say ANYTHING. except that
they were no more responsible for the evils Incl
States
were responsible for serfdom in the most dstant
country in Europe. They had about as much
right to interfere in the in the other.
Slavery was here when the Constitution was
formed Its introduction was not the work of
section alone. The great and good men of
that day, in framing the Constitution, recognized
il existing institution Its control was
wisely left to the several States in which it ex-
isted. Without this the Constitution never would
have been ratified.


Obedience to law and conformity 70 established
human governments are divine inunctions the
violation of which must be offensive in the sight
of God


THE LESSON AND OUR DUTIES.


Having defined the nature of our system of
government, and examined some of the absorbing
questions connected with the reksiliOn in the light
of the Constitution il remains to stale the lesson
legitimately to be drawn therefrom, and con
slider briefly some OF the duties which devolve
upon us in this crisis of our nations history.


The great lesson to be derived is. that disre-
gard of the restraints of law disrespect for judi
cial opinion, indifference to the division of powers
in our system of government, and the substitu-
ton of individual opinion of right or wrong for
the written Constitution, have wrought upon the
nation the troubles that now threaten its dssolu-
ton, and that not only must those in rebellion
return to their allegiance, but all must return to
the ancient landmarks of their fathers, if they
would again have the country united and pros
porous


Our chief duty is to restore the Union of the
States. To do this all must control their passions
and prejudices. We must have due regard for
the opinions of others, and not be prone to i'm
pute dIsloyalty To those who entertain adverse
views TO questions of ,'olicy We should be
calm and dspassionate vet firm and decided, in
maintaining the right. We must protect the law
ful rights OF the humbleSt citizen If we would be
protected in our own rights. We should respect
judicial decisions, and conform strictly to the re-
quirements of law. We should not violate the
law because others do.


Failure in the proper administration of a good
Government does not discharge us from our
obligations TO perpetuate that Government. IL
should rather increase our exertions 10 bring its
rulers back to the true principles which the
Government was fouIided-the only principles
upon which it can be successfully admins
tered.


Ii in retaliation for the unconstitutional acts
of others we violate the Constitution ourselves
then indeed all is lost We should cling to the
Constitntion-"cng to the Constitution as the
ship wrecked mariner clings to the last plank
when night and the tempest close around
him.


We should take care that both National
and Stale Governments confne their action
within the sphere Of their respective powers
The constitutional demands of the National





peace or in war.


CONCLUSION.


Fellow citizens, is their no way consistent with
the honor and interests of all to bring to AN end
this unnatural strife which is shedding the best
blood of the land, and eating ou. our substanceg
There is not n good citizen in the whole country
who does not in his heart desire peace. There
is not Christian family in the land who, when
the shades of evening close around, do not, in
their devotions the family altar. pray for
peace and the safe and speedy return of the long
absent ones. There is not a soldier in the North
ern or Southern armies who, as he PAGES at night
his weary round or lays his head upon the rude
camp pillow. does not in imagination visit the
hreside at home and sigh for peace.


We should not be afraid of peace-an honor
able and permanent peace. whether it come by
the exercise of power the exercise of conciliE-
ton. lt should be peace on the basis of 1.-THE
Union as it was"-not Union of States where
part are held in subiugaton conquered prov
inces adding nothing to the material interest and
prosperity of the nation, and only furnishing a
thetter of action for of military officers
but Union of all the States with their equal
ity and rights unimpaired" ltshould be peace
founded on the submission of all TO the nehtfui
authority of the Government, and the guarantee
to all of their constitutional rights by the Gov
eminent 1t should be peace bringing with it
such unity will have the Constitution for its
founda ion and obedience to law its corner stone.


The Governor frequently enthusiastically
applauded during the delivery of his address, an]
upon its conclusion the procession of citizens
and soldiers again formed in line and escorted
him to his quarters.