of our doctrines, we are put in sympathy with the masses
of men in all nations. It is not our business to subdue nations,
but to augment the powers of the common people. The vulgar ambition
of mere domination, as it belongs to universal human nature, may
tempt us; but it is withstood by the whole force of our principles,
our habits, our precedents, and our legends. We acknowledge the
obligation which our better political principles lay upon us, to set
an example more temperate, humane, and just, than monarchical
governments can. We will not suffer wrong, and still less will we
inflict it upon other nations. Nor are we concerned that so many,
ignorant of our conflict, for the present, misconceive the reasons
of our invincible military zeal. "Why contend," say they, "for a
little territory that you do not need?" Because it is ours!
Because it is the interest of every citizen to save it from becoming
a fortress and refuge of iniquity. This nation is our house, and
our fathers' house; and accursed be the man who will not defend it
to the uttermost. More territory than we need! England, that is
not large enough to be our pocket, may think that it is more than we
need, because it is more than it needs; but we are better judges of
what we need than others are.

Shall a philanthropist say to a banker, who defends himself against
a robber, "Why do you need so much money?" But we will not reason
with such questions. When any foreign nation willingly will divide
its territory and give it cheerfully away, we will answer the
question why we are fighting for territory! At present--for I pass
to the consideration of benefits that accrue to the South in
distinction from the rest of the nation--the South reaps only
suffering; but good seed lies buried under the furrows of war, that
peace will bring to harvest, 1. Deadly doctrines have been purged
away in blood. The subtle poison of secession was a perpetual
threat of revolution. The sword has ended that danger. That which
reason had affirmed as a philosophy, that people have settled as a
fact. Theory pronounces, "There can be no permanent government
where each integral particle has liberty to fly off." Who would
venture upon a voyage in a ship each plank and timber of which might
withdraw at its pleasure? But the people have reasoned by the logic
of the sword and of the ballot, and they have declared that States
are inseparable parts of the national government. They