provoking secession and rebellion than the anti-slavery
sentiments of the Northern, Central, and Western States.

The failure of secession and the triumph of the National cause,
in spite of the short-sightedness and blundering of the
Administration, have proved the vitality and strength of the
national constitution, and the greatness of the American people.
They say nothing for or against the democratic theory of our
demagogues, but every thing in favor of the American system or
constitution of government, which has found a firmer support in
American instincts than in American statesmanship. In spite of
all that had been done by theorists, radicals, and revolutionists,
no-government men, non-resistants, humanitarians, and sickly
sentimentalists to corrupt the American people in mind, heart,
and body, the native vigor of their national constitution has
enabled them to come forth triumphant from the trial. Every
American patriot has reason to be proud of his country-men, and
every American lover of freedom to be satisfied with the
institutions of his country. But there is danger that the
politicians and demagogues will ascribe the merit, not to the
real and living national constitution, but to their miserable
theories of that constitution, and labor to aggravate the several
evils and corrupt tendencies which caused the rebellion it has
cost so much to suppress. What is now wanted is, that the people,
whose instincts are right, should understand the American
constitution as it is, and so understand it as to render it
impossible for political theorists, no matter of what school or
party, to deceive them again as to its real import, or induce
them to depart from it in their political action.