12 and fulfill all the obligations of that bond. It is a system to us loathsome in the last degree, and we can but feel that the panting fugitive who seeks escape from its galling chains is entitled to our sympathy. Yet we will interpose no obstacle to him who seeks, in a legal manner, to sustain his claim to that fugitive. At the same time, we unhesitatingly demand a like security for any citizen of this State to pursue his business or pleasure in any other State, giving him that protection, guaranteed by that provision of the constitution which “gives to the citizen of each State the privileges and immunities of the citizens of all the States.” Having taken the position we have done, we are told that we must compromise; that having gained a victory, we must yield the fruits of that victory. Instantly the vanquished, instead of gracefully yielding and submitting to the regularly determined majority, demand the surrender of all claimed by the victor—the vanquished dictating terms to the victor. Yea, more, traitors dictating terms to that government against which they are plotting and acting treason. Shall we, frightened by the noise and confusion, turn, and swallowing our words, give the lie to all our previous professions ? Is the position we have taken right? the principle we have advocated just? Or have we no confidence in its truth, its justice, its importance ? We are told that we must compromise, that we must yield up something, or our Southern brethren will continue going away as they have been going, until the Union is broken, our Constitution overthrown and government destroyed. If it must be so, then let it come, and let the responsibility rest upon those so madly bent on pulling down this proud fabric built by our fathers at such a cost of blood and of toil. If they can stand it, so can we. That the Union is more important to us than to them cannot be. Not that we would undervalue the Union and its advantages; by no means. Bather let it be perpetuated ; let it continue and be strengthened, going on to accomplish all its high destiny. Let its proud flag, under which has been achieved so muclrof honor and of good, never trail in the dust, but still spread to the breeze, without one star stricken from its ample folds, there continue to float, our own pride and a beacon of hope to the oppressed of every nation. But rather let every one of those stars go out and fade away in eternal night, than that it shall continue to float only as a symbol of union, for the support of a system of oppression and wrong. To sustain this Union, we must concede and compromise, and surrender, and yield up what? Our manhood We must abandon long cherished, and what we believe
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=