The national Republican., 1861-07-02
IMPORTANT SPEECHES.
IMMEDIATE ACTION DEMANDED.
All Compromisers Traitors.
VIEWS OF BLAIR, HICKMAN, AND OTHERS

'lEWo VT Dbhih, nlCkMAN, ANU UInEho.
Last evening about nine o'clock, notwith.
standing the unfavorabe state Of the weather,
large crowd assembled in front of Wilards
Hotel, when, accompanied by Dodworth's ex.
ceent band, they proceeded TO the residence
of the Hon. Montgomery Blair, Postmaster
General, where serenade was rendered the Hon.
F. P. Blair, Of Missouri. o..
After one or two national airs from the band,
one of the flags Of the Frceborn, Of thirteen
stars, was exhibited from the steps, which elic.
tied immense cheering from the assemblage in
front.
The StarSpangled Banner" was then per.
formed by the band, when calls were made for
Colonel Blair, when he appeared and spoke as
follows:
SPEECH OF COLONEL BLAIR.
Gentlemen and friends: l extend to you my
sincere Acknowledgements for the undeserved
compliment you have bestowed on me this even
ing. The only subject now, presume, about
which one is allowed to speak, is that which so
prominently occupies the thoughts Of all our
people everywhere. | refer to that of the pres.
ent distracted condition OF the country-the
question Of the war. As to what has been done
or ought to be done, to meet the requirements
ofthis momentous period in our national history,
I do not feel myself competent to pass upon.
But do feel myself able, with others of my
fellow.citi1ens, and entitled, too, to express an
opinion as 10 the justice of this war, and the
propriety Of conducting it with vigor. Ap-
plause. In that respect, my friends, claim
oIuon ntoo of III
here tonight to hear me.
A Voice. You are doing it right. You are
the man.
Mr.. Blair, Not in that respect, my friend.
I did not slude to anything Of that kind, but
simply to the fact that live, and have always
lived, in one Of those slsveholding States; and
therefore am we'll acquainted with the senti.
ments of the people in those States. As one
living in that section, l assure you, that the
majority of the people in the slaveholding
States are opposed to this rebellion I"Good,n
and applause !; but they are held down by an
intolerable tyranny-the tyranny of an armed
minority in the Southern States-a minority
armed by corrupt and imbecile Administra.
ton. Good" and applause. A minority
who took the arms belonging to the Govern
nent, placed in their hands by the most corrupt
andtreacherous administration that ever existed
in any country. And with those arms, my
friends, they have put down and trodden under
foot the majority of the people in the Southern
States. Applause. And now, when the cues
ton, Shall we prosecute this war to uphold the
| Constitution, and maintain the integrity of the
| We must continue this contest, in order to de
liver the people of the South from their oppres
sors. "That's so," and loud applause
wish to put it in one aspect to you here tonight
Look at East Tennessee, surrounded on ali
sides by the armed myrmidons Of JEFF. Davis
There was 100000 majority cast at the recen,
election in Eastern Tennessee, for the Union
and yet she is controlled by the hostile forces
of the enemy. Ought not this Government tc
send to these men relief?
A Voice. Yes, immediately
Should we not send our armies there, ana
should we not also send arms with which thest
people might strike down their enemies 1t i,
inst as proper that that should be done, m,
friends, as that we should send relief to any o
our beleaguered fortrssses. They require ant
demand instant relief Applause, as much 81
as did those at Fort Sumter; as much so as i
did in the case OF Pickens as much no as i
did at any place where our soldiers are be
leagnred and surrounded by hostile foe I
is the duty Of the Government 10 send this re
lief to the Union men of the South, environed
oppressed, and put down, as they are, by mi
nority armed with weapons stolen from thi
Government, Coco" and applause. AM
Why should we hesitate upon the brink here
Why should we hesitate to tread upon the soil
the sacred soil, as they call it-of these rebe
lions States2 Why should there be any hes
! tation at all Why should we not plunge int
the thicket---into the midst of them-to Civ
deliverance. to the men who are standing ther
unarmed, but still upholding the glorious fla
Of our country. know, my friends, the trut
of the things that assert here tonight. Take
for instance, the little State Of Maryland, upo
which we border here. 1t has not been tw
weeks since the people of Maryland, by an a
most unanimous vote, declared themselves i
! favor of the Union; and yet that little nest
eopperheaded Maryland Legislators is still 81
ting there plotting treason. Good, and 81
, plause.l And yet the police commissioner
and the rebels in the dens of Baltimore, al
still endeavoring to assassinate the loyal 80
diers of the Republic. That's so.
, A voice. Not now.
, They will do it any time in the dark, whe
your back is turned. They are of that bree
They do not rise even to the dignity Of Il
rattlesnake, for they don't give notice, b,
strike unawares. Applause. And that, u
+ These people call themselves "the chivalry
So far, since this war commenced, they ha'
: distinguished themselves by nothing except
be in an attempt to shoot down the pickets al
. assassinate the people who have conquer,
i them. Loud applause. That is the chival
+ of the South, my friends. That is the tal
: chiyalry; but there is real chivalry in Il
South, and it will yet assert itself,
, IA voice. You are one of them.
:. What have said of the Union sentiment
the people in the South generally, is especial
true as regards Missouri. 1t has always be-
80. Nine out OF ten of the men of Missouri q
!. Union men, and yet, Notwithstanding this, t
State government Of Missouri conspired for 8
6 lonn weeks to carry Missouri ont OF the Unio