In Each Of These Cases The
Minority Of Dissentients Was So Small That The Nation Suffered
Nothing, Though Individuals Were All But Robbed Of Their
Nationality.
But as regards America it must be remembered that each
State has in itself a governing power, and is in fact a separate
people.
Each has its own legislature, and must have its own line of
politics.
The secessionists of Maryland and of Virginia may consent to live in
obscurity; but if this be so, who is to rule in those States? From
whence are to come the senators and the members of Congress; the
governors and attorney-generals? From whence is to come the
national spirit of the two States, and the salt that shall preserve
their political life? I have never believed that these States would
succeed in secession. I have always felt that they would be held
within the Union, whatever might be their own wishes. But I think
that they will be so held in a manner and after a fashion that will
render any political vitality almost impossible till a new
generation shall have sprung up. In the mean time life goes on
pleasantly enough in Baltimore, and ladies meet together, knitting
stockings and sewing shirts for the Southern soldiers, while the
gentlemen talk Southern politics and drink the health of the
(Southern) president in ambiguous terms, as our Cavaliers used to
drink the health of the king.
During my second visit to Baltimore I went over to Washington for a
day or two, and found the capital still under the empire of King
Mud.
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