On Nationalism
(a) “The
Proud Republic” Philadelphia Public Ledger, November 21
1860
The proud Republic, strong only in union,
would dwindle into insignificant States, more3 contemptible than those of
Germany or of Central America… Like Mexico, we should either become a prize for
some military adventurer to grasp at, or keep up a petty show of distinct
sovereignties, continually warring against each other, or adopting foolish and
injurious restrictions to check each other’s progress. The proud title of “a
citizen of the United States” could be claimed no longer, and having no
nationality commanding the respect of the world, our persons and property would
be secure in no part of the globe…. Our property would be exposed to robbery
upon the sea, our flag to insult without redress, or rather we should say
flags, for every seaboard State would have some special device of the kind like
those now flaunting in the breeze of Charleston, instead of the glorious
stripes and stars, the emblem of union and power, of security everywhere, and
of freedom and prosperity at home.
(b) “We
Love the Union” New York Courier and Enquirer, December
1 1860
We love the Union, because at home and
abroad, collectively and individually, it gives us character as a nation and as
citizens of the Great Republic; because it gives us nationality as a People,
renders us now the equal of the greatest European Power, and in another half
century, will make us the greatest, richest, and most powerful people on the
face of the earth. We love the Union, because already in commerce, wealth and
resources of every kind, we are the equal of the greatest; and because, while
it secures us peace, happiness and prosperity at home, like the Roman of old we
have only to exclaim “I am an American Citizen” to insure us respect and
security abroad. And so loving this great and glorious Union, we are ready if
need be, to shed our blood in its preservation, and in transmitting it in all
its greatness, to our latest posterity.