Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/387

Rh executive branches of the Government, upon our simple republican system. The extravagance and corruptions of imperialism pollute every fountain of power and patronage. A distinguished representative American tenders a costly site for a monument to Andre the spy, in appropriate recognition of his services in warring against State independence. And the present year is seen to be a favorable occasion to rescue from oblivion and give to the world a Tory history of the Revolution of 1776, buried for a century, but warmed into life by this prevailing fallacy, which assures it consideration, if not sympathy.

But we need have no fear for the future. The rugged, sinewy strength that comes of love of State has not fulfilled its mission, much less outlived its usefulness, in our country. Indeed, it never bore more rich and weighty fruit than in the very war which seemed to have destroyed it. At the bottom, it was the true source of the most enduring forces elicited in that struggle. The storm of sentimental enthusiasm for the flag, which gave fiery birth to the earliest efforts for the Union, died like a prairie conflagration. A ninety days' volunteer was its concrete expression. It was loyalty to States that on both sides fed the steady, consuming flames of battle, and fed them to the end. It was the labor of States that overthrew the South, and that defended it. It was the tough fibre of State allegiance that bore the exhausting strain of the contest. It was the old, fundamental doctrine of State allegiance that menaced the life of the Union, and it was that also which saved it.

Not only were powerful Union minorities in every Southern State constrained by loyalty to this principle to take their stand against their convictions of what was politic and best and wisest, but it is notorious, that the great border States, without which the war would have been a fiasco, never wavered in their prayers and labors to maintain the Union, until the proclamation of April 15, 1861, summoned them to the decision of the momentous inquiry, "Is this a Union of affection and interest, or a Union of force?—a question whose other and fundamental form was, "Is the citizen's first allegiance due his State?"

All who lie here and crave our memorial offering, gave their lives in attestation of their allegiance to their States. And here in their midst, and in the presence of many who fought to uphold a contrary theory, I dare aver that in that fruitful vine of State loyalty, and there alone, we shall find a means and mode of reconciliation, which, as it wounds not self-respect and honor, may be perfect and perpetual—a consummation wished by all save those wretched