Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-07-20
Union Meeting at Lookport- Speech Of
Washington Hunt


largo meeting at Lnckport, on Friday evening.
Rodney Durkec presiding. Tho principal feature
in the proceedings was tho speech Of Washington
Hunt. lie began by stating the prcsen, confused
condition Of parties. and tho danger to the Union
from the partisan fury and turbulent passions
which have latterly heen displayed in Presidential
elections. At no period Of our history have party
names boon less significant than Mt tho present
moment. The old parties are broken up. and tho
ancient landmarks dcthocd. Tho majority vt tho
old Wing party had become merged in tho kepub-
lienn party, and the Democratic party Ind become
rontin twain. The Republican party was north
ern party. and i,s success at thu coming election
would he to q certain extent q separation between
tho North aud tho South. The President could
hardly organize hs administration, and surely
could not carry on tho government for single
day without forming u treaty with the Union men
of the South. On the other hand, there are two
Democratic parties. ono Of which headed by secess
ionista and disunionists, IL essentially sectional
md southern; and neither of theme an he deemed
mn effective national organization. Neither Of
them can have tho Vii shtcst hope AZ eleo,ing its
candidate Ly the popular vote, and Democrats, by
adhering to either, would aid in tho election Of
sectional President from the North. who would
represent not half the country. lie would only
represent the Republican party. which has no abb
ding place except ut ihs North but on tho con.
trary. many oil its leading organs. both in and
ont of Congress, aro necessarily sending Firth
harsh denunciaiions of the South, Its manners.
morals and social condition arraignine its pe'po
as barharinns and hQlling them up to the dsrision
Of tho world. Now, said he. II Ia easy to say that
this system of agitation il not sectional; that we
Of the North are rirht in our abst,nc opinions.
and tho rest Of mankind ought b conform to our
humane sentiments But tho fact still remains
thnt tho States of the South hold four millions Of
Africass In the condition Of slavery. and that
their conduct and opinions in respect to the col
orcd race caanot be made 10 harmonixe with ours
and that they will not permit us to Judge Tor them
any more than we would consent to adopt their
views in regulating our internal affairs. 1t is
equally apparent that the effort to maintain q
trolling party in the FREQ Stntes on tho quo ,tion Of
slavery must of necessity alieuate the sections,
preyoke feelings of animosity and resentment aud
produce 1, eomnlete moral sepcration even while
the form and sembnuce OF union remain. The
party proposes nothing practical for tho good OF
country Il proposes nothing but to discuss slave.
ry dcnouuces It, proiesse. 10 vote against il IN MI
ing every Office from constable upward and all Tor
what2 Simply 10 leave slavery where il is. or
the four millions of Africans 10 servitude, It il
no, proposed to change tho condition Of ono bu-
man being. The whole land il made to echo with
curse. and secional rngc. without taking one
practical step for lhe benefit OF the slave.
The issue ot slavery is now fictitious There
is no territory belnn gng To the United States. in
whicl, Slavery Gnu be suesessfully established.
The exact counterpart TO Republicans WAS tho
portion nf democrats " ho seeded from the regular
convention mt Baltimore. and nominated cnnd,-
dates They were prepared 30 disolve tho Uaion
upon any abstract question, which had ceased to
hnve any practical henrny on the subject Of tho
extension Of .lnverv The other D,mtc,, tic pnr-
" wa. il reality u Northern pnrtv s, fnr ~ The
issue rendered hy the Southern secessionsts wns
concerned The Conyention when, tho
nominations were made did not ,entesent the
whole country. Under neither Of these orpnnizn.
tiohs, therefore, ronll the Union be preserved.
Where then he aske cd nfn the the nat O mi mon 10
90, thc friend. Of the tlnion md tho pence of the
Union, lie enn,en,ed that NIL who honestly dc.
sired 10 preserve the Union ns our fathers made
it--all who would uphold tho Constitution In its
trne spirit, and restore domestic tranoulity and
crncord to lind di.trae,ed by peotonal
contention all who value country more thnn
marty. ought now to unite in n generous support
of John bell and Edward Everett. These honor
ed names need no eulosy at his hands Their vir-
tues their services, their great sndowments and
lofty patriotism are conspicnusly recorded in our