8

p. 8

University as an institution of conservatism: we consider
that its influence will be used to still the waters of
agitation, to quench the flames of strife, and diffusing
intelligence, sanctified by piety to bind the discordant
elements of party into a union stronger than steel and firm-
er than adamant.

For my brethren in the Episcopate, and for myself, I
repel the suspicion to which imaginary fears have given
birth. Will the sons of those who fought and bled in the
cause of liberty, lift a voice or hand against the union
of these States? There are some of us here to-day, in
whose veins flows the blood of men who fought in almost
every battle from Saratoga to the disastrous repulse at
Savannah, and the crowning victory at Yorktown. And when
we shall be found, under color of religion, hatching
treason against the union and peace of these States, may
desolation roll its waves over our habitations, and our
name be swallowed up in infamy!

No one can doubt the honesty of Bishop OTEY, or of the
great body of those by whom his address was issued. And the
very fact that convictions so strong were changed, may
give us some ground to hope that the convictions equally
strong, now avowed by the same persons, may be reversed.
If the opinions of 1857 could be abandoned, so may the
opinions of 1863.