During the century we live in, the part this country has played on the world's stage, has been no small nor yet ungenerous one. Through all those years, although reluctant to enter upon war, she has not been deaf to the call of the weak, and has ever been ready to offer the welcome of that flag to all, whatever their name or clime, who sought for refuge. And names, too, are associated with it not readily forgotten. In our own day Franklin has planted it, and yet a shred may hang over some rude cairn, where lie around those scattered relics that bid science mourn her heroes. The right arm of a Havelock has borne it, with the Bible enfolded in his breast; and a ministering spirit has attended it, whose gentle shadow soothed the fevered frame as if an angel fanned it softly with its wings. It has passed into desert lands, and the wilderness has yielded up its solitude; there, where all was silent, industry now swells its cheerful voice, and nations have arisen into being, to complete the girdling of the world with the great circlet of humanity. Thus, it is not alone as a banner embroidered with names of battles, nor yet as the symbol of freedom and law to a fifth of the human race,-- but as the token of an asylum that all may claim, as an emblem bespeaking works of peace and goodwill to man-these may entitle it to claim respect from him who meets it, whoever he may be. That cloud has passed away, but still this fratricidal contest drags its slow length along, inflicting more and more suffering on Europe, and planting more and more deeply in American soil the roots of passions that will darken future years. A sad spectacle it is, to see those denying to others the self-government they demand so vehemently for themselves rejecting their own axiom of the "consent of the governed," the moment it proves to be inconvenient-and by the power of numbers swelled by mercenary hordes, struggling to crush and subjugate men of their own race, with whom their only tie was based on mutual free will. Not less sad the delusion of those who imagine, that if successful, they shall be able to cloak the bitter relationship of the vanquished to the victor, under the name of a Union, or that others can fail to detect, that under protestations of liberty the real object is a double slavery-of the negro to his master's will, and of his master's will to their own. But the fire that sweeps over the prairie, threatening to scathe and destroy all that has life or value, is followed soon by a fresh herbage of a purer and a choicer green. Let us hope that when this fiery wind has spent its force, the people of America, purged from the rankness of too sudden growth, may arise to a renovated career, and whatever their forms of government, take that position in the world's esteem of which their fathers dreamed, and which many in other lands hopefully believed to be their destiny. J. S. LIVERPOOL, CONT EFFECTS OF THE UNION. Criticism justifiable at the present period Probability of duration.—Ancient Federal systems Modern Federal Republics equally unenduring Elements of decay or disruption in the system Opinions of authorities on this subject No cause to prevent impartial judgment Material prosperity no sure test of institutions Decline of ability at the head of the State Lynch law. Vigilance committees.-Force only respected Laxity of political principle.-All's fair in politics Repudiation. Illogical reasoning.-Mr. Cassius M. Clay . Desire for self-government.-Revolt against Great Britain People of North and South strongly antagonistic.-Causes of this South originally predominant.-Effects of immigration Effects of change in the ratio of representatives to number. Decline of Southern States.-Struggle to avoid loss of power Real signification of the election of Mr. Lincoln. True character of the question of slavery in the territories Facts showing it to be a political and not moral question Northern views opposed to the Constitution and the Supreme Hardships of slavery greatly exaggerated.-Comparisons Moral aspect of slavery.-Slave clauses of the Constitution Not the real ground for the Secession movement. Not to be interfered with.-Mr. Lincoln's and other declarations. Negro labour essential to the cultivation of the South. Question of property and also of strong feeling Conduct of Abolitionists.-Absence of practical measures Brief history of the course of American tariffs Nullification of the State of South Carolina Effect of protectionist tariffs twofold against the South Morrill tariff. Its blunders.-Duties on cotton goods. |