citizens of the United States will stand on a level in more respects than one with the subjects of the despotic governments of Europe."

Mr. Stuart next considered protection as a question of expediency, and then passed on to the subject of an enlarged system of popular education. "By education I do not mean merely instruction in the arts of reading and writing, but that whole system of moral, intellectual, and religious training and cultivation which is necessary to develop the nobler faculties of our nature, and give to the character of man the impress and likeness of Him in whose image he was created."

Towards the close of the address Mr. Stuart made this almost prophetic statement, in view of what has since occurred, in reference to sectional jealousies and geographical divisions:

"In looking forward to the future career, and probable destiny of our Republic, the only danger that seems to beset her path is from those sectional jealousies and geographical divisions against which we were so solemnly warned by the prophetic wisdom of the Father of our country.

"It would be an easy matter to prove, not only that there is no just foundation for such unfriendly sentiments, but that on the contrary the diversities in soil, climate, and population and production, which at first view would seem to constitute the grounds of a difference in interests, are in truth the strongest bonds of union between the different parts of our Confederacy. A wise Providence seems to have arranged these geographical peculiarities with a view to a national division of labor, and to render each part necessary for the prosperity of the whole. But we see, nevertheless, as was foretold in the farewell address of Washington, that 'designing men do endeavor to excite a belief in the minds of the people that there is a real difference of local interests and views.' In the language of that address, which has been justly pronounced to be the highest effort of uninspired wisdom, I would say to the American

people: 'You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heart burnings which spring from these misrepresentations. They tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection.' This admonition cannot be too often repeated or too deeply impressed upon the public mind. No intelligent man can close his eyes to the melancholy fact that 'jealousies and heartburnings' have been excited between different portions of the country. In some quarters a purpose to dissolve the Union has been openly avowed, unless certain concessions. are made to local prejudices, which it must be known never can be granted. And in other sections, bodies of men are found who profess to deprecate such a result as one of the greatest national calamities, and yet are madly urging the adoption of measures which must inevitably lead to its consummation.

"It is time that this spirit, in whatever form it may exhibit itself, should meet with a decided and emphatic rebuke. The people in all parts of the country should speak out in a voice that cannot be misunderstood. Those who talk of a dissolution of our glorious Confederacy must be taught to know that allegiance to the government is not a thing to be put on and off like a garment, but a continuing and permanent duty, which will be enforced at all hazards. And those whose approaches to the same objects are more stealthy and insidious, those sappers and miners of the Constitution, who, under the mask of attachment to liberty, seek to overthrow the great bulwark of freedom, must be made to feel that treason is none the less criminal and detestable because it is disguised under the pretence of devotion to the cardinal rights of mankind."

And in conclusion he exclaimed:

"Let us all, then, without respect for party or geographical divisions unite in endeavoring to cherish and perpetuate those noble institutions which the courage, and patriotism, and wisdom of our ancestors have established! Let the counsels of Washington be graven upon our hearts! Let

his Farewell Address have its place in our houses, with our Bibles and our prayer books! Let its lessons of wisdom and patriotism be studied by our youth and read in our public assemblies! Let our children learn to lisp its solemn warnings as a part of their Sabbath-school instruction, and thus have their duty to their country blended in intimate and sacred association with their duty to their God! Then may we bid defiance to the foul spirit of discord! Then may we look forward to a glorious futurity, in which men of the North and of the South, of the East and of the West, may assemble around the tomb of Washington and, linking their hearts and their hands in fraternal fellowship above his sleeping dust, swear, as upon a holy altar, eternal allegiance to the American Union!"

CHAPTER VIII

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR

N 1850 Mr. Stuart was invited to become a member of Mr. Fillmore's Cabinet. He had held no public office for some years, although he took an active part in the Presidential election in 1848 for Taylor and Fillmore, the Whig candidates. The circumstances attending this appointment are so unique that they will be given as related by Mr. Stuart in an interview published in the Staunton Vindicator of April 16th, 1886. In reply to the question of the reporter as to how he gave up his determination to resume the practice of law, and reentered public life, he said:

"Well, it came about in this way. One night in September, 1850, after I had made arrangements, which consisted in those days of packing my saddlebags, to go to Rockbridge Court the next day, some one knocked at my door about midnight. The gentleman sent an apology for waking me, but said he had business which required he should see me that night. While I dressed, my wife and I discussed what could be the cause of a call at that hour of the night, and we could think of nothing else but that it was an important criminal case in which I was wanted. He renewed his apologies for so late a disturbance and asked if I was Mr. Stuart? Was I Mr. Alexander Stuart? I was. Then he had a letter for me. The letter had nothing official in its appearance, being the size of a lady's note in plain envelope, the only official symptom about it being the frank 'D. Webster' in the corner. The following is the letter:

Washington, 7th Sept., '50. To the Honorable Alexander H. H. Stuart, Staunton, Va. My dear Sir:

I am directed by the President of the United States to apprise you that it is his wish to nominate you to the Senate for the office of Secretary of the Department of the Interior. He deems it important, however, that no step should be taken on so important a subject without first acquainting himself with your wishes and inclinations. To ascertain those is the object of this letter, which I transmit by a messenger of the Department of State, with directions that if not found at your own residence, he proceed immediately to the place where you are supposed to be, and there to receive your answer. Let me assure you, my dear Sir, that it is not only the sincere wish of the President, but also of all those, whom, on such an occasion he naturally consults, that you should not decline the offer. We all desire your efficient aid and co-operation in the Executive Councils of the Government at this important crisis. The President hopes that you will be able to repair to your post at an early day, the earlier the better, as the place has been some time vacant, and a competent discharge of its duties is especially desirable during the present session of Congress. After that, perhaps, some little interval might be indulged without detriment to the public interest.

The bearer of this is confidential. If you please to signify your acquiescence in the President's wishes to him, he will telegraph this Department on his return as soon as he reaches a telegraphic station. I trust, my dear Sir, that both the message and the wire will bring us the agreeable intelligence of your acceptance.

Very cordially yours,

Dan'l Webster

"The messenger who bore this letter was Mr. George Bartle. He said he wished an immediate answer. He had come by stage to Waynesboro, and when the stage stopped