[117] and indivisible. (Cheers.) If such were not the case, then the efforts put forth upon so many occasions by the immortal Clay and Webster, to secure the perpetuity of this Government and all our interests and liberties, were utterly in vain. And since we were constituted one Government, I say those individuals who have broken off from us, and pretended to have established another Government, are-- (A Voice, “Traitors.” ) Mr. Appleton--Yes, they are traitors, and were guilty of a crime of the greatest atrocity. Although I did not come forward to claim your attention for any great length of time, when I know there are other speakers better qualified to interest you, there is one fact to which I wish to advert, that tends to aggravate the criminality of those States which have seceded from the Union. It is this: At the time they seceded, our country was in a state of the greatest prosperity; therefore there was no reason which would satisfy any rational mind to justify that act. Had we not sustained the transportation of the mails in those States? Had we not built the forts within their limits, and in every way provided for their defence, and, in the case of some, actually purchased their territory? It was under these circumstances, so aggravating, so unprovoked, so unjustifiable, that they have gone off; and now it devolves upon all the people of our land to lend their influence, their lives, their sacred honors — to use all the means in their power to perpetuate our Constitution and our Government. (Cheers.) Remember, my friends, that you have inherited from your fathers a glorious legacy; you have inherited from them a Constitution which is justly considered the most glorious upon earth. To these young men before me who have inherited these glorious privileges, who have inherited the liberty they so richly enjoy, let me say, when the occasion occurs, lend your personal effort, lend your strength and vigor, lend your lives, if need be, to preserve the honor and integrity of your country. (Cheers.) These old men upon this platform have all served their country in her hour of trial in the past--(cheers)--and they now call upon you to unite in her defence at the present moment of her peril. War, I know, is a great evil; but there are other evils greater than war. It were better that we should perish, than see our glorious country destroyed forever. O, think of it! The loss of our rich inheritance, the loss of all the glorious privileges and liberties we enjoy! Let us all unite, then, in saying, in the language of John Adams, “Live or die, sink or swim, we go for our country and for its blessed liberties.” (Cheers.)
[117] and indivisible. (Cheers.) If such were not the case, then the efforts put forth upon so many occasions by the immortal Clay and Webster, to secure the perpetuity of this Government and all our interests and liberties, were utterly in vain. And since we were constituted one Government, I say those individuals who have broken off from us, and pretended to have established another Government, are-- (A Voice, “Traitors.” ) Mr. Appleton--Yes, they are traitors, and were guilty of a crime of the greatest atrocity. Although I did not come forward to claim your attention for any great length of time, when I know there are other speakers better qualified to interest you, there is one fact to which I wish to advert, that tends to aggravate the criminality of those States which have seceded from the Union. It is this: At the time they seceded, our country was in a state of the greatest prosperity; therefore there was no reason which would satisfy any rational mind to justify that act. Had we not sustained the transportation of the mails in those States? Had we not built the forts within their limits, and in every way provided for their defence, and, in the case of some, actually purchased their territory? It was under these circumstances, so aggravating, so unprovoked, so unjustifiable, that they have gone off; and now it devolves upon all the people of our land to lend their influence, their lives, their sacred honors — to use all the means in their power to perpetuate our Constitution and our Government. (Cheers.) Remember, my friends, that you have inherited from your fathers a glorious legacy; you have inherited from them a Constitution which is justly considered the most glorious upon earth. To these young men before me who have inherited these glorious privileges, who have inherited the liberty they so richly enjoy, let me say, when the occasion occurs, lend your personal effort, lend your strength and vigor, lend your lives, if need be, to preserve the honor and integrity of your country. (Cheers.) These old men upon this platform have all served their country in her hour of trial in the past--(cheers)--and they now call upon you to unite in her defence at the present moment of her peril. War, I know, is a great evil; but there are other evils greater than war. It were better that we should perish, than see our glorious country destroyed forever. O, think of it! The loss of our rich inheritance, the loss of all the glorious privileges and liberties we enjoy! Let us all unite, then, in saying, in the language of John Adams, “Live or die, sink or swim, we go for our country and for its blessed liberties.” (Cheers.)
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