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 view. There was a slight murmur of disapprobation when he took his seat, which, however, was quickly suppressed as the silver tongued orator, whose name was a synonym for all that was chaste in language and classical in style, arose to defend the Union. He sped an arrow's flight beyond the comprehension of the people who could see very little connection between the elements of that massive structure and the consequences likely to result from the unlimited exercise of free speech. He was, however, vociferously cheered, as every word coming from his lips would be, if it had been expressed in an unintelligible language. At the close of his remarks, another gentleman arose who took exception to some of his sentiments.

"There was no need," he said, "to defend the Union, for that rested on a foundation as sure as the everlasting hills. Our fathers made it, and we have no right to question its integrity, or doubt its stability. Let us not harbor a thought that it can be rent asunder by any force brought to assail it, the possibility of which it would be a sin to admit, a libel on the wisdom of our fathers!"

A strong feeling of dissatisfaction was here manifested by the audience, who, though they in no wise differed from the last speaker, would not tolerate the appearance of dissent from any sentiment advanced by their pet orator. The latter was also evidently misunderstood, for his remarks were intended more as a rhetorical flourish to pass encomiums on those who framed, the Union and present them as models for the present generation to follow, than to intimate