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heart beats in my bosom that throws the warm current
from the center to the extremes, so long as a single pul-
sation lasts in my veins, so long will this manifestation
and its incidents remain fresh and green in my memory.
[Great applause.]
I do hope and believe that an era of good-will is an-
nounced. Men begin to feel kindlier and nearer to each
other. I think that if the South had more contact with
the North—recent developments and manifestations have
satisfied me of that fact—they would be nearer one peo-
ple! If the South could be made to feel that the govern-
ment designed doing them no injustice it would be shown
that no difficulties exist between the sections to prevent
unity—for the great mass of the people—North and
South—feel kindly towards each other. A little more of
the friction of contact would rub off the ruggedness of
differences, and all that now seems inharmonious be rec-
onciled.
I trust in God that the difficulties through which we are
now passing are designed to prepare us for the maturity
of a great, permanent and progressive government. I
am not willing to conclude that this government has filled
its mission. I think it has a great work to perform. We
are extending our possessions, our power, and, though
some may be opposed to the extension of our jurisdiction,
yet it is my honest conviction that the great principles
of the constitution are so all-reaching that if they be car-
ried out properly, the whole civilized world could be made
to work under them harmonious in its sphere. [Great
cheering.] It is only the impediments that have been
thrown in the way that make difficulty. We have legis-
lated too much, and tried to make too much law. The
popular mind seems to have taken the direction of inven-
tion. If we were to cease inventing and direct the mind
to discovery, to finding out what law is, and after ascer-
taining that, conform our actions to it, we would then
find all going on harmoniously. The North can work in
harmony with the South, and the South with the North.
Each State can work in harmony with the Federal gov-
ernment, and the Federal government with the States.
The parts are essential to the whole, and the whole to the
parts. The law that controls the government must be ab-
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