The Difference.
In the last war with
Great Britain, when the
Americans had in the field only raw recruits and upon the seas half a dozen Irrigates, and when the people were unaccustomed to sacrifices and taxation, whilst opposed to them were the veteran troops, the immense fleets, and the Inexhaustible resources of the most powerful empire of the world, the
New England States openly set up the standard of separation, and of what they now style rebellion.
The press and the pulpit denounced in the most furious language every man who should assist his own country in the hour of danger.
In Boston associations were entered into for the purpose of preventing the filling up of Government loris.
Individuals disposed to subscribe were obliged to do it in secret and carefully conceal their names.
A Convention was held for the express purpose of thwarting the measures of the
Government.
This was done by the very party which, when its own friends were in power, enacted alien and sedition laws, and suffered not the winds of heaven to visit the
Federal authority too roughly.
The Washington Administration of that day treated with the utmost forbearance these
New England secessionists.
They neither demanded any extraordinary powers from Congress, nor enforced, to their full extent, those with which they were invested by the
Constitution.
Public opinion was left alone to combat the treason which, in the midst of its country's perils, could raise its looked tongue against her heart.
The result proved the wisdom of this conduct and covered the cause of
America with glory, whilst it consigned its enemies to universal shame.
But no sooner did
New England again attain ascendancy in the national councils than the spirit of the alien and sedition laws revived.
The traitors of 1812 became the tyrants of 1861.
They could propose Dissolution with impunity in the midst of a foreign war, but Southern Secession, in the midst of peace, and when rendered necessary for the preservation of its domestic institutions, must be visited with fire and sword, confiscation and extermination.
It is of a piece with their whole character.
Their only idea of freedom, civil or religious, is exemption from persecution themselves and the privilege of persecuting others.
