Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/31

 Causes of the War. 19

prosperity and importance of the South. Such malevolence is dis- creditable enough to its authors as men, and gives the lie to the hypocritical pretensions of the New Englanders to superior sanctity, founded upon the sour perversions of Christianity derived from their Puritan ancestors.

Mr. Quincy, of Massachusetts, used the following language in debate in Congress: " If this bill passes it is my deliberate opinion that it is virtually a dissolution of the Union that will free the States from their moral obligation; and, as it will be the right of all, so it will be the duty of some to prepare for separation, amicably if they can, violently, if they must."

We here again see the right of secession declared for his constit- uents by one of New England's most distinguished statesmen, and received so much, as a matter of course, that it was not questioned.

THE WAR OF l8l2.

Next in the march of events comes the war of 1812. This war was undertaken with the avowed intention of protecting the com- merce and the seamen of New England from the domineering en- croachments of the British sea power, yet the moment that the stress of war begins to be felt what is the result ? The Northern States, having adopted the Constitution mainly for promoting their commercial interests, became restive as soon as their trade was in- terfered with by war, even though that war was entered upon for the purpose of protecting their commerce, and though their carrying trade was only temporarily decreased during the continuance of hostilities, with a view to their own ultimate benefit.

Ministers of the Gospel in the Eastern States denounced the war of 1812 as "an unholy war." When the armies of the United States were invading Canada, in the churches of New England they prayed "that all invading armies might be cut off," and "that they who take the sword may perish by the sword."

It is hardly necessary to call attention to the fact that the rever- end gentlemen who led these vindictive prayers and the congrega- tions who joined in them, put themselves beyond the pale of Chris- tianity, for Christians may not lawfully pray for the destruction even of their bitterest enemies. During the war of 1812, more than at any other time, the New England pulpit, press and representatives in Congress reiterated their intention to secede, and still their dec- larations passed unchallenged as an unquestioned right. The Rev.