LIFE OF GENERAL ROBERT HATTON.



he felt his worst fears realized. It was now that he felt, that
the oft-repeated couplet-symbol of strength and durability-
              "A union of hearts and a union of hands,
                A Union that time can not sever,"-
was a delusive hope, but as "sounding brass and a tinkling
cymbal," pleasing to the ear, but false to the heart. It was
now that he felt impressed, that the great Government founded
by Washington and the patriots of '76, around which, cluster
so many memories of the Revolution, had ceased to be; that it
was numbered among the things that were; that the Constitution
of the United States had been tossed among the arcana of the
past, as but a curiosity for the future antiquary and the his-
torian; that the American Union-the mere mention of which
name, was formerly greeted with applause, but was now be-
come a hiss and a by-word with Americans-had been indeed,
dissolved, and forever!
  Thus impressed, and thus circumstanced, Mr. Hatton's course
had been foreshadowed in his last letter from Washington, to
his former preceptor and friend, Dr. Lindsley. He was no
negative character; although he had despaired of the Union,
and the Government of our fathers, still he would make an
effort to preserve the liberties of the people. The Northern
States were responding to the Proclamation of Mr. Lincoln,
calling for troops to suppress the rebellion, while the seceded
States were preparing to repel coercion-a doctrine, to the
South, as obnoxious, in fact, as it is false in theory. Being a
Southern man, by education, by association, by feeling; and
having been often honored and trusted by Southern people; his
family, his home, his all, being in the South, it was but natu-
ral that he would cast his influence and fortunes with the
people of the South. He did so. From this time forth, he
ceases to speak, except by action. Being solicited to make a
speech, he replied, "now 'is the time for action; the time for
speaking has passed."

 See letter to Dr. Lindsley, chapter VIII, page 319; also, reply, in his speech, on
the organization of the House, to interrogatory of Hon. William H. Barksdale, of
Mississippi, chapter VII, page 210; and speech " On the state of the Union," chapter
IX, page 333.



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