Do you ask in whose name all this is done? The answer is easy. Not “in the name of God and the Continental Congress,” as Ethan Allen summoned Ticonderoga,--but “in the name of Slavery.” In the name of Slavery, and nothing else, is all this crime, destruction, and ravage perpetrated; and the work still proceeds. Look at the war as you will, and you always see Slavery,--as the renowned orator of Rome saw in the evil about him only the great conspirator. Never were his words more applicable: _Nullum facinus exstitit, nisi per te; nullum flagitium sine te_: “No villany but has owed its existence to thee; no shameful thing has been done without thee.”[149] Slavery is our Catiline, being to this war everything,--inspiration, motive power, end and aim, be-all and end-all. And this brings me to an important statement. * * * * * It is often said that war will make an end of Slavery. This is probable. But it is surer still that the overthrow of Slavery will make an end of the war. [_Tumultuous applause and cheers._] If I am correct in this averment, which I believe beyond question, then do reason, justice, and policy unite, each and all, in declaring that the war must be brought to bear directly on the grand conspirator and omnipresent enemy. [_Here the vociferous cheers of the Convention interrupted the speaker._] Not to do so is to take upon ourselves all the weakness of Slavery, while we leave to the Rebels its boasted resources of military strength. [_Cheers._] Not to do so is to squander life and treasure in a vain masquerade of battle, without practical result. Not to do so is blindly to neglect the plainest dictates of economy, humanity, and common sense,--and, alas! simply to let slip the dogs of war on a mad chase over the land, never to stop until spent with fatigue or sated with slaughter. [_Sensation._] Believe me, fellow-citizens, I know all imagined difficulties and unquestioned responsibilities. But, if you are in earnest, the difficulties will at once disappear, and the responsibilities are such as you will gladly bear. This is not the first time that a knot hard to untie was cut by the sword [_cheers_]; and we all know that danger flees before the brave man. Believe that you can, and you can. The will only is needed. Courage now is the highest prudence. [_Applause._] It is not necessary even, borrowing a familiar phrase, to carry the war into Africa. It will be enough, if we carry Africa into the war [_here the outburst of applause compelled the speaker to suspend his remarks_], in any form, any quantity, any way. [_Continued applause._] The moment this is done, Rebellion will begin its bad luck, and the Union become secure forever. [_Cheers._] History teaches by examples. The occasion does not allow me to show how completely this monitor points our duty and certain triumph. I content myself with two instances of special mark,--one from ancient Greece, and the other from ancient Rome.