Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/182

 176. It was a system of government embracing a general government for general purposes, and local governments for local purposes, each like the spheres in the heavens, to be confined to its own orbit, and neither could invade the domain of the other without chaos and ruin. In the solution of all problems, in the discussion of all questions, in the shaping of all policies, he looked to the Constitution. As the fierceness of the storm only intensifies the gaze of the mariner on the star that shall lead him out of darkness and danger, so the greater the peril the more earnestly he contended for the principles of the Constitution. He regarded the American system of government as the wisest ever devised by the wisdom of men, guided by a beneficent Providence which seemed to have chosen them for the highest achievements of the race. He esteemed it not only for his own, but for all people the greatest production of man, the richest gift of heaven except the Bible and Christianity. But to him the States were as much a part of that system as the general government. His indissoluble union was composed of indestructible States. He opposed sectionalism under any guise, and from any quarter. As long as it spoke the truth, he honored and loved the flag of his country. For so long, wherever it floated, from the dome of the National Capitol at home, or under foreign skies; leading the armies of the Republic to deeds of highest valor in war, or signalizing the peaceful pursuits of commerce; at all times and everywhere, at home or abroad, on the land and on the sea, in peace or war, its stripes uttered one voice—of good will to its friends and proud defiance to its enemies—while the stars that glittered upon its ample folds told of free and equal States. Thus looking at it he could exclaim with patriotic fervor: Flag of the Union! Wave on, wave ever; wave over the great and prosperous North; wave over the thrifty and historic East; wave over the young and expanding West; wave over our own South, until the Union shall be so firmly planted in the hearts of all the people that no internecine war shall break our peace, no sectionalism shall disturb our harmony! Flag of the free! Wave on, until the nations looking upon thee shall catch the contagion of freedom; wave on until the light of knowledge illumines every mind, the fires of liberty burn in every breast, the fetters fall from every limb, the bonds are loosed from every conscience, and every son of earth and angel of heaven rejoices in the universal emancipation. There never was a time in his distinguished career when he would not have arrested and stricken down any arm lifted against that flag speaking the truth. But he would have it wave