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.