THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE. 151 



its growing population. The dense forests and fertile plains of the 

 magnificent and inviting West were transformed into rich and powerful 

 States. Lines of immigration and enterprise, of wealth and of general 

 development, were pushed forward with marvellous rapidity and success 

 to the shores of the Pacific. Along these lines were transplanted from 

 the East the prejudices and animosities engendered for a half-century. 

 The South, traversed by no transcontinental line of communication, 

 sullen and humiliated in her great and crushing losses, and by defeat in 

 war, most naturally nursed the sectional animosities and prejudices of 

 the past. What an inviting condition was thus presented for wicked 

 sectional agitators ; and how assiduously they utilized it, let the shameful 

 sectionalism of the past quarter of a century answer. But the people of 

 the awakening South and the people of the great agricultural West, 

 aroused and inspired by a common danger, have locked their hands and 

 shields in a common cause, the cause of a common country. 



The lines of sectionalism have been cut in twain. The Alliance has 

 planted its banner, on which is inscribed in characters of golden light, 

 " Equal rights to all and special favors to none," from the State of 

 New York on the east to the golden gates of the Pacific on the west ; 

 from the Gulf on the south to the Great Lakes on the north, embrac- 

 ing within its territory the great staple crops of the country, the centre 

 of population and the centre of political power. 



We cannot fail to see the opportunity of the hour ; and recognizing 

 that opportunity, we must not forget that it carries with it corresponding 

 responsibilities. The opportunity is for the great conservative, law- 

 abiding, patriotic masses to assert and establish a perpetual union 

 between the people. The sequent obligation is, that these great masses 

 must discourage, discountenance, and discard from their councils the 

 wicked demagogical agitators who for the last twenty- five years have 

 sought to foster discord and dissension that they themselves might 

 thrive. Ordinarily they are the men North and South who were 

 " invisible in war, and have become invincible in peace." 



Divided, we stand as a Samson shorn of his locks ; united, we stand 

 a power that is invincible. Cato fired and thrilled the Roman senate 

 with the fierce cry, "Carthage must be, destroyed." Must we, as 

 citizens of this great republic, emulate such a vengeful spirit ? Hanni- 

 bal, while yet a tender youth, was placed by his father on his knees and 

 made to swear eternal vengeance against the Romans. Must we, as 

 Christian parents, entail upon our children the bitter legacy of hate? 

 Hundreds of thousands of noble, aspiring, hopeful, and ardently patriotic 

 young men all over the land are manfully enlisting in the responsible 



