The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1861-09-06
UPPER SANDUSKY, OHIO, FRIDAY SEPTEMBER g. 1861
SPEECH OF hon DANIEL $. DICK.

SON.
Mr.. President and Ladies and Gentlemen.
Amid all the diversity of sentiment in
our land. there is one subject upon which
we can agree; and that is, that our
country is IN a most lamentable condi-
tion-our Government threatened with
disruption, our Constitution with SUBJ
ersion, and our institutions with over
throw. We are met here for the pur-
pore of discussing the great interests Of
cpmmon country. and determine what
becomes us in an exigency SO trying and
50 fearful. l meet you here not to dis
cuss slavery or anti-slayery. Though an
Old Line Democrat brought up at the
feet of Gamaliel, and adhering with te-
nacity. to democratic principles through
an active life, yet come not to you to
speak upon political partizan subjects. l
come to discuss a matter that concerns
our Union, one that rises far above and
shoots deeper than party interests or is
sues. We have duty, my fellow citi-
zens, far beyond our fathers Of the Rev
elution. They were oppressed by tyran-
ny, and they sought to throw off the
shackles of despotic monarchy. They
hoped that great and free government
would spring up from their patriotic ef-
forts, but the most sanguine never ina
gined that government SO replete with
good would be the fruits of their begin
ming What with them was hope, with
US is fruition. They planted and we
reaped. Their experiment has become
a great success, and we are annoying, or
might enjoy, such blessings as Heaven
never before vouchsafed to mortal man.
But conspiracy has appeared; strife and
division are at our doors; and it becomes
us new to see whether the fruits of this
great and benefcent Union must be lost
or whethe: they can be preserved. Ii
were needless to 60 back and review
dead and buried issues. There is a
great fact starring us in the face, and
with that we have to deal. 1t matters
not whether the origin of our difficulties
were North or South, or East or West
the question is. how shall it be dealt
with and disposed Of? In every govern
ment, and especially in every free gov.
ernment, political parties will arise. And
it's we'll that we have them. So far
from being curse when restrained with.
in legitimate bounds they are blessing
The strife of political parties, like the ag'
itation Of the natural elements, purifes the
atmosphere. and gives life, ond vigor
and freedom to our institutions. There
are some questions too great, some too
E small, for the exercise political parties
and We have many duties to perform il
: the various relations OF life, that do no
appertain to political affairs, but which
0 we should come together and discharg,
q as American citizens, as brethren of on,
: tie, and not inquire whether we belong t,
, this, or that, or the other division of po
litical parties When we assemble arount
the grave of neighbor, and hear thos
words that have riyen SO many hearts
'earth to earth, dust to dust, ashes t,
ashes," and hear tie creaking of th
chords as the remains are lowered t,
their final resting place, the strifes ant
passions are hushed in the bosom, ant
we remember that we are only zen
irquir not what were the political view
of the dead or living. At midnight yo,
hear the cry of "Fire !" You rush int,
the street and find your neighbor's dwell
ling in flames. 1t is found that in th
terror OF the moment mother has lef
f her infant in the chamber. The flame
hiss through every crerice, the rafter
tumble, the cinders crumble, and anothe
and another makes the attempt, until a
last one is lost in the flames. Ever,
eye-ball is strained, every heart palpi
/ tates, every breath is hushed, ever,
muscle stands out like whipcords, and al
. believe he is lost, but finally he appears
and restores the loved and lost to it
swooning mother, but no one inquiries t.
( what political -pbrty he belongs. Whel
the citadel of our country is in flames
when the edi6ce that Washington an,
Franklin, and their associates erected, i
in flames, it becomes us, whatever ma,
have been our political prccliyities befor
to rise far above all other consideration
and keep this citadel from destruction
Cheers. l cannot afford to turn ava,
from my duty because political oppo
nent is acting with me, nor stay bac
from duty because political friend de
serts me. No! | must 60 on and dis
charge great duty. hold it to b
. the first dutv of eyecy citizen of ever