Year: 1877

most valuable country on our north western
frontier, nearly Ave times as large as the State
of New York. wish to make no reflections on
the great men who made those settlements, but
take no risk in saying that if either treaty
were to be negotiated now, the United States
would demand far different boundary both on
the north east and the north / wish FUR
ther to say that, ii, in 1912 or 1876, claims as
strong as those which were given away on our
northern frontier by Mr.. Tyler and Mr.. Polk
had existed on our southern border, they would
have been promptly main tanned at the cannon's
mouth, under the old cry of Indemnity for the
past and security for the future"


While regretting that our Government did
not stand for its extreme rights both in the
northeast aud the northwest would not at
tempt to force annexation acquisition of ter
ritory in any direction but at the same time
most frankly avow that


THE incorporation OF THE BRITIsH-AMERICAN


PROVINCES IN OUR UNION WOULD BE VAST


ADDITION TO OUR STRENGTH,


and q large element added to our growth and
perpetuity. No manlier, stronger, ADLER. better
portion of the Anglo-Saxon race can be found on
the globe than those who inhabit the Dominion
of Canada. They are not at present contemplat-
ing any unioE with us, nor are We making the
slightest overtures towards them; but the con-
tinual growth of mutual interests, the quicken
ed and qnickening influence of constant inter-
course, will, in my Judgment, ultimately bring
us together. Our relations with them daily
grow more intimate. We are drawn toward each
other by a thousand tics of interest, friendship,
and kindred, and the outpouring OF our sympa-
thy for their lately stricken city is but an ex-
preston of the kindly regard we feel for their
entire people.


In my remarks have been compelled to speak
of the North and the South as in certain sense
antag0nistic forces in our Government. 1t is not
my speaking of this antagonism that creates it,
nor would the fact cease to exist if every man in
the North should keep silent Nor will it be re-
moved by ELUSIVE oratory on Decoration Day,
nor by swelling periods on the Fourth of July.
1t has its deep-seated origin in different phases
of civilization, and in radically different views OF
the functions powers, and limits of the State
and National Cove 1t is deeply to be
regretted that it has grown up. / hope that 1t
will sometime die out. The North and the Soutb,
lust as much as the East and the West, are fit
ted by nature for harmonious cooperation and
for mutual development and strength. / wolld
include all sections in the folds of a common pa
triotism, inspired by o single aim, warmed by
the same traditions stimulated by like pride,
looking forward to one destiny. But we should
gain nothing-nay, we should lose great deal
by concealing from ourselves the fact that the
controlling political element in the South holds
views which are at war with the prestige and
prosperity of the American Union. speak il
here to-day in sorrow, and not in anger, and yet
! could not be just to my convictions if / should
fail to speak it plainly. The remedy is in the
hands of that vast majority of our countrynlen
who believe that their paramount allegiance il
due to the National Government, and who hold
with Washington, that


"THE UNION OF THE STATES


should ever be the primary object of patriotic
desire.n


The consolidated strength of the sixteen States
that were lately slave-holding is q tremendoui
political force, embodying almost one-half the
Senate of the United States, more than one
third of the House of Representatives, and abou
two-ffths of the aggregate electoral college
This entire element is controlled by small mi
nority of the people of those States; it will b.
welded in the future with the unity of despot
government of the country. Let us look the flu
ture squarely in the face prepare for the DANCE
in season, and avert it il ifpossible. take my po
sition without hesitation, without distrust, with
ont acrimony, and without concealment. be
lieve that the Southern control in the govern
ment of the Union is the worst possible result
even for the South itself 1 believe that it il
menacing and dangerous to every interest in the
land believe that the men who in battle and
in council saved the Union should govern it
believe that the men who for four years sought
the life of the nation should not be intrusted
with its supreme coutrol; / believe that the
heresy of the citizens primary allegiance being
due to his State-a heresy which has already
wrought SO much misery and shed so much blood
should be confined to the States that cherish
it, and not be permitted to install itself in the
Government of the nation and, finally, / believe
that any policy which contemplates, or by any
possibility involves, the annexation of Mexican
territory or any other addition to the disturbed
elements of the South, is at war with the high
est interests of every American citizen, of the
generation that now is, and of those countless
generations which, in the Providence of God,
shall succeed to our proud title and to its con-
tinually widening responsibilities,