The want of a policy, the
obstinate adherence to unimportant things, have brought us to a
condition where I close my eyes, because I can not see anything that
encourages me to hope.
In the long period which elapsed after the downfall of the great
republics of the East, when despotism seemed to brood over the civilized
world, and only here and there constitutional monarchy even was able to
rear its head--when all the great principles of republican and
representative government had sunk deep, fathomless, into the sea of
human events--it was then that the storm of our Revolution moved the
waters. The earth, the air, and the sea became brilliant; and from the
foam of ages rose the constellation which was set in the political
firmament, as a sign of unity and confederation and community
independence, coexistent with confederate strength. That constellation
has served to bless our people. Nay, more; its light has been thrown on
foreign lands, and its regenerative power will outlive, perhaps, the
Government as a sign for which it was set. It may be pardoned to me,
sir, who, in my boyhood, was given to the military service, and who have
followed, under tropical suns and over northern snows, the flag of the
Union, if I here express the deep sorrow which always overwhelms me when
I think of taking a last leave of that object of early affection and
proud association; feeling that henceforth it is not to be the banner
which, by day and by night, I was ready to follow; to hail with the
rising and bless with the setting sun.
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