*  That  Declaration,  it  has  been  well  said,  is  a  nation's  oath  ;
the  solemn  and  direct  appeal  of  a  christion  nation  to  the  high
Providence  above;  an  appeal,  the  responsibilities  of  which
were  assumed  in  the   face  of  the  whole  world.     When  I
think  of  that  declaration,  and  of  the  comment  which  slavery
furnishes  upon  one  line  of  it,  I  confess  that  I  feel  the  patriot's
glow  of  wounded  pride  and  deep  regret;  and,  were  it  prac
ticable,  I  would  fain  hold  up  that  memorable  instrument  to
the  view  of  my  countrymen,  and  beseech   them  to  weigh
again  its  solemn  import.     With  a  voice  that  should  sound
from  the  St.  Lawrence  to  California,  and  from  these  shores
to  the  farthest  West,  could  it  be  done  consistently  with  our
obligations  to  all,  I  would   exhort  our  country  to  look,  and
by  harmonious   action  acquit  itself  of  its  duty,  wiping  off
from  our  national  escutcheon  the  only  blot  that  has  ever  fallen
upon  it.     Could   the  resources  of  our  national  treasury  be
brought  to  the  accomplishment  of  this  noble  deed,  every  sec
tion  of  our  common   country  uniting  cheerfully  in  the  ar
rangement,  it  would  reflect  high  honour  upon  our  beloved
land.
