35 privilege, and it may be his duty; but in so doing he either ceases to be the nominee, or virtually becomes what is called a Now, as betweenthese two platforms withtheir respective candidates, I have expressed no opinion, except as such an opinion maybe involved in the discussion ofprin&lples. Ihave an opinion, and I expect to act upon it. You have an opinion, and as I doubt not, you will express it by a ballot. You will do what I shall do^—^what in part I have already done: you will compare the candidates in reference to their capaeities as men, their experience and antecedents, their qualifications to guide the Ship of State in this stormy hour, and also the platforms on which they respectively stand, and to w^hicli they are honorably committed before the country ; I say you will do this ; I advise you to do it, for in no other way can you make up a sound judgment ; and then having done this, you will, as I trust, vote according to your sense of duty. Is it at all probable, as the question is now submitted to them, that the American people can change their policy, or change its agency, for the better ? If this be so, and a majority of the people so affirm through the ballot-box, then General McClellan will, if he lives, be the next President ; and in that event I shall yield to him all due obedience, reverence, and support as the supreme executive magistrate of this great nation. But if this be not so, and the people so adjudge in the legal way, then the present incumbent in the Presidential office will be continued for another term ; and in that event I shall render to him the obedience and support to which he is entitled by the Constitution and Laws of the land. Between these two individuals as candidates^ I have my choice, and I have my weighty reasons for that choice; but when they cease to be candidates, and one of them becomes President, then the relation of the latter to the whole country is most essentially changed. Then he becomes the minister of God. Then the religious obligation of obedience exists. Then resistance to his authority is treason. Then a defeated minority must bow to the sovereign will of the majority. I stand firmly by this principle. I see no other that does not involve the ruin of popular government.
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