18 ORATION. legal authority at home, that it only includes those duties which * are “ required ” by the Constitution and the laws. Fortunately, no such theory had chilled the hearts of our people, our sailors and our soldiers. They did not ask foreign authors whether they were capable of this virtue, nor take legal advice as to the precise measure of allegiance which they owed to the Union. They have taken counsel of their own hearts, and clustered round the symbol of American loyalty, — not the person of a monarch, but a stainless flag. And for those who deny the possibility of passionate loyalty in republican bosoms, their simple answer has been that for it they can die. This sentiment imposes no terms on Government. It does not demand the adoption of our favorite measures or the promotion of our favorite men. It simply follows the standard of the Republic. Its language is — “ All that I am, and have, and hope,” on earth, I consecrate to thee, my country. Even rights which are held dear in peace, a patriot gladly > gives up in the hour of war, for he knows that all rights, and possessions, and hopes depend upon his country’s triumph. Honest advice and fair criticism are not only rights, but duties. The intellect as well as the heart should pay its whole tribute to the Government engaged in war. But if any man (no mat
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