If you choose still further to stretch your vision to South Carolina,
you will find a parallel to that devotion to their country's cause
which illustrates the early history of the Democrats of Boston. The
prisoners at Charleston, when confined upon the hulks where they were
exposed to the small pox, and, wasted by the progress of the
infection, were brought upon the shore and assured that if they would
enlist in his majesty's service they should be relieved from their
present and prospective suffering, but if they refused the rations
would be taken from their families, and themselves sent to the hulks
and exposed to the infection. Emaciated as they were, distressed with
the prospect of their families being turned into the street to starve,
the spirit of independence, the devotion to liberty, was so warm
within their breasts that they gave one loud hurrah for General
Washington, and chose death rather than dishonor. [Loud applause.] And
if from these glorious recollections, from the emotions they excite,
your eye is directed to your present condition, and you mark the
prosperity, the growth and honorable career of your country, I envy
not the heart of that man whose pulse does not beat quicker, who does
not feel within him the exultation of pride at the past glory and the
future prospects of his country. These prospects are to be realized if
we are only wise and true to the obligations of the compact of our
fathers. For all which can sow dissension can stop the progress of the
American people, can endanger the achievement of the high prospects we
have before us is that miserable spirit, which, disregarding duty and
honor, makes war upon the Constitution. Madness must rule the hour
when American citizens, trampling as well upon the great principles at
the foundation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
of the United States, as upon the honorable obligations which their
fathers imposed upon them, shall turn with internicine hand to
sacrifice themselves as well as their brethren, upon the altar of