24 ORATION. maintain the Union. How in past days our example has cheered the hopes of those who love the rights of man. From Italy, from Hungary, from Poland — I dare not quite forget her; from Ireland, true “ Niobe of nations,” the victims of wrong have looked toward America, and found hope. I recall the words of Lord Brougham in his earlier and better days. “ Long,” he said, “ long may that great Union last! ’ its endurance is of paramount importance to the peace of the world, to the best interests of humanity, to the general improvement of mankind.” Yes, long may it endure! The prayer shall be granted, although many a friend prove false. If we needed any additional stimulus to our patriotism we ought to find it in the devoted loyalty of the Unionists at the South. When the story of their fidelity, their endurance, their sufferings is fully written, we shall gain new ideas of the capacity of men for heroism. Shame on us, if, while we can keep a regiment in the field, we deliver up these men and women to the tender mercies of the Rebel government. And does the loyalty of any man waver because of the vast sacrifices we have made 1 Those very sacrifices are reasons why we cannot falter in our course. Voices from the past bid us go on. The slumbers of the dead would be disquieted if we failed in service to the cause for which they fell. As we looked last week upon “ the riderless horse ” of the brave Colonel
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