in like proportion. No revenue is collected, or can be. The
army and the Government are supported exclusively by force, by seizing
the crops of the farms and planters, and using them for the benefit of
the so-called confederate government. Starvation is staring them in the
face. The collapse is imminent; and, so far as we may venture to predict
any future event, nothing can be more certain than that before the end
of the coming year, the rebellion will be brought entirely to a close.
(_Hear, hear._) We must recollect, also, that there is not a single
State of the South in which a large majority of the population
(including the blacks) is not now, and always has been, devoted to the
Union. Why, in the State of South Carolina alone, the blacks, who are
devoted to the Union, exceed the whites more than one hundred thousand
in number. The recent elections have all gone for the Union by
overwhelming majorities, and volunteering for the army progresses with
renewed vigor. For all these blessings the President of the United
States has asked us to render thanks to Almighty God. Our cause is that
of humanity, of civilization, of Christianity. We write upon our
banners, from the inspired words of Holy Writ: 'God has made of one
blood all the nations of the earth.' We acknowledge all as brothers, and
invite them to partake with us alike in the grand inheritance of
freedom; and we repeat the divine sentiment from the Sermon on the
Mount: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' (_Loud
cheers._)

Nor let it be supposed that we, as Americans, are entirely selfish in
this matter. We believe that this Union is the most sacred trust ever
confided by God to man. We believe that this American Union is the best,
the brightest, the last experiment of self-government; and as it shall
be maintained and perpetuated, or broken and dissolved, the light of
liberty shall beam upon the hopes of mankind, or be forever extinguished
amid the scoffs of exulting tyrants, and the groans of a world in
bondage. (_Loud applause._) Thanking you, ladies and gentlemen, for the
kind indulgence with which you have been pleased to receive these
remarks, I will now proceed to the toasts which have been prepared for
the occasion. Ladies and gentlemen, the first toast will be, 'The
President of the United States,' under whose proclamation we are this
day convened. Before asking you to respond to that toast, I would say
that we are honored by the presenc