British abolitionists to make war on their southern brethren. If they
could effect their ends, and Great Britain could insert the wedge
which should separate the States, what further use would she have for
the northern section? You are the competitors of Great Britain in the
vast field of manufacture, whom she most fears, and though she may be
with you in the scheme which would effect a separation of these
States, yet the moment that separation should be effected she would be
under the promptings of interest your worst enemy. [Applause.] Our
fathers fought and bled to secure the common interests of the country.
They reclaimed us from colonial bondage to national independence. They
stamped upon it free trade in order that the interests of all might be
promoted, that each section might be interwoven with the other--in
order that there might be the strongest bond of mutual dependence. And
step by step, from that day to this, that common and mutual dependence
has been growing.

From the seeds of narrow sectionality and purblind fanaticism, have
sprung the tares which threaten the principles of that declaration
which made the Colonies independent States, and of that compact by
which the States were united by a bond to-day far more valuable than
when it was signed. You have among you politicians of a philosophic
turn, who preach a high morality; a system of which they are the
discoverers, and it is to be hoped will long remain the exclusive
possessors. They say, it is true the Constitution dictates this, the
Bible inculcates that; but there is a higher law than those, and call
upon you to obey that higher law, of which they are the inspired
givers. [Laughter and applause.] Men who are _traitors_ to the compact
of their fathers--_men who have perjured the oaths they have
themselves taken_--they who wish to steep their hands in the blood of
their brothers; these are the moral law-givers who proclaim a higher