rruption for two years, has served at least to test the
patriotism of the people, and to determine whether faction was destined
so far to prevail as to paralyze the hand of Government and render
secession triumphant through our own dissensions. These fearful contests
of party have run their course up to the present time, without serious
trouble; and it is now apparent that the mass of the people are settled
in their devotion to the Union, and will sustain no man or party in
factious opposition to the Government, or even in ill-timed exertions to
obtain redress of acknowledged wrongs, when those exertions are
calculated to embarrass the nation in its mortal struggle for safety and
triumph. The existence of the nation, its unity and tranquillity, are
paramount to all personal or party rights and interests; and though we
may be justly indignant that many arbitrary and unnecessary things are
done, yet must they be borne patiently for the sake of the country. The
time for accountability will come at last. Under the pressure of vast
responsibilities and difficulties, the agents of the people may
plausibly, or even justly, excuse themselves for almost any
irregularity; and the most honest and devoted patriot may, with apparent
truth, be accused of sympathy with the adversary, if he take occasion,
in the midst of great perils, to urge his personal sufferings, to the
inconvenience and annoyance of the Government.

But while the last two years have subjected us to great difficulties,
which have been happily surmounted, if not with entire immunity from
evil, at least with substantial safety and great preponderance of good,
we have yet to undergo an ordeal such as every thoughtful man might well
wish to avoid. The greatest of all trials is to come upon us in the
course of another year, if, unhappily, the war should last so long.
Nothing could be more unfortunate than one of our presidential
elections, to be carried on in the midst of a horrible civil war. It is
impossible to anticipate the troubles which may ensue--the sympathies
which may be expressed for the rebellion--the intolerance which may seek
to suppress freedom of speech under pretext of preventing the
consequences of treason--and the fearful license of denunciation which
may be assumed and permitted, under that natural delicacy which would
hesitate to use even a necessary severity against a political enemy and
a rival. Deplorable and dangerous excitement is almost certain