But so long as we deal, like the Delphic oracle, in words of
double meaning, so long as we attempt to escape from responsibility, and
exhibit our fear to declare the truth by the fact that we do not act
upon it, we must expect speculative theory to occupy the mind of the
public, and error to increase as time rolls on. But, if the sad fate
should be ours, for this most minute cause, to destroy our Government,
the historian who shall attempt philosophically to examine the question
will, after he has put on his microscopic glasses and discovered it, be
compelled to cry out, "Veritably so the unseen insect in the course of
time destroys the mighty oak!" Now, I believe--may I not say I believe?
if not, then I hope--there is yet time, by the full, explicit
declaration of the truth, to disabuse the popular mind, to arouse the
popular heart, to expose the danger from lurking treason and
ill-concealed hostility; to rally a virtuous people to their country's
rescue, who, circling closer and deeper as the storm gathers fury,
around the ark of their fathers' covenant, will place it in security,
there happily to remain a sign of fraternity, justice, and equality, to
our remotest posterity.
[Footnote 199: Elliott's "Debates," vol. v, p. 133.]
[Footnote 200: Ibid., p. 457.]
[Footnote 201: Elliot's "Debates," vol. v, p. 457.]
[Footnote 202: Ibid.]
[Footnote 203: Ibid, p. 459.]
[Footnote 204: Ibid.
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