But not alone was it inapplicable and preposterous; it was utterly untrue: at least, there are many men who could not subscribe to it without, according to their own convictions, being guilty of a lie.

Supposing, however, that the seceders had attempted to violate the old constitution of the confederacy, it may be argued that Mr.O'Connell would be justified in preparing the most stringent tests for the purpose of restraining them.

But no such attempt was ever made; no one proposed in the Association, no one hinted outside it, that it ought to violate one of its rules.

No one complained of these rules, or said they ought to be changed, modified or, to the least extent, relaxed.

Neither directly nor indirectly, openly nor covertly, was there a word spoken, nor an act done, nor a suggestion offered to that effect.