Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/84

 78 Southern Historical Society Pcipers.

The contemplation of this exhilarating spectacle naturally tight- ened the bands of the Union and inflamed the minds of the people with a deep patriotism, which tended more and more to centre around the Federal Government.

When, in 1833, while the glorious panorama I have just sketched was still being unrolled, upon a comparatively trifling occasion, behind the absurd spectre of Nullification appeared the gigantic figure of the Right of Secession, panoplied though it was from head to foot in the armor of the Constitution, it struck terror to the souls of the lovers of the Union, and shook even the firm poise of the aged Madison. It threatened at a touch and upon inadequate cause to crumble into ruin the grand fabric which had been builded with such pain and had risen to such majestic height.

It conjured up before the quick imagination of Mr. Webster that terrible vision of a Union quenched in blood, of " States discordant, dissevered, belligerent," of strength frittered away by division, of liberty imperilled by the conflicts of her devotees, of the high hopes of humanity blasted by the ambitions, dissensions, and conflicting interests of jarring sovereignties.

In my humble judgment Mr. Webster's was the grandest civic intellect that America has produced. The most prodigious achieve- ment of his eloquence and genius was the success with which he darkened and, to the minds of many, actually obliterated the clear historical record which I have heretofore exhibited, confuted the very authors of the Constitution as to the meaning and effect of their own language, and may be said substantially to have created and im- posed upon the American people a new and different Constitution from that under which they had lived for so considerable a period.

Yet we must forgive much to the motives and inspirations upon which he acted.

Ah, well had it been if all the followers of Mr. Webster had been inspired by his own deep respect for the guaranties and limitations of the Constitution.

Time and inclination alike restrain me from any particular notice of the direct causes which provoked the actual assertion of the right of secession.

Suffice it to say that events occurred and conflicts arose which rendered impossible the continuance of a voluntary union. The pre- destined strife was not to be averted. Passion usurped the seat of reason. Dissension swelled into defiance, chiding grew into fierce re- criminations, constant quarrel ripened into hate. In vain did those who clung to the Constitution seek " upon the heat and flame of this