The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-09-13
SPEECH OF MON. j. NJ. GILMAN.
AT THE
PEOPLES UNION CONVEN TON.


the Convention in substance as follows:
was not aware that should be called
upon to address this Convention, and do not
think l can say anything that will prove
instructive oY entertaining. In attempting
to get the people to sink partyism in pa
triotism, and unite without reference to
past divisions, to save our country from de-
struction, / am aware of the difficulties to
be encountered. can fully appreciate the
strength of the ties that bind men to party.
We all know how apt we are to be infu.
enced by party associations, party sympa-
thy, party likes, dislikes, hates and preju-
dices. We know how exceedingly difficult
it is to break loose from those ties and act
wholly independent and uninAuenced by
them. l suppose that have always been
as much of partisan, and have had as
much faith in the virtue of my party prin,
ciples, as any other man.
And yet believe it to be my duty and
the duty of every loyal citizen to drop party
for the present, and unite as patriots to save
our common country from destruction.
When my Democratic friends tell me
that have deserted my party and my old
political faith, / tell them no, that l have
still implicit faith in the principles OF the
old Democratic party, and will again be
ready to defend them when they are again
properly brought in question; but that the
matter now is as to our national existence,
and not as to the policy of administering
the government, with reference to which
parties have been formed. l tell them that
| first wish to make sure that we are to
have government hereafter to administer,
before discussing questions of policy as to
its administration.
In my opinion the whole power of the
government, welded in the most effective
manner, will be required to subdue this re.
bellion and preserve our institutions, and
that it cannot be accomplished through the
efforts of any one of the old parties or if
the loyal citizens are divided up into antag.
onistic and contending factions.
find Mr.. President, that the design, OBJ
iect and strength of this rebellion are not
fully appreciated and realized by the PEG.
pie. This rebellion, Sir, is not only an at
tempt to overthrow and wipe out from
among the nations of the earth, this Gov
eminent of ours, but it is revolution
against liberal governments and free insti.
tutions generally. If this rebellion is sue.
cessful, not only is our Government over.
thrown, but the hopes of mankind in the
success of liberal governments will be ex-
tnguished throughout the world.
Now, Sir, with so much at stake, is it the
part of wisdom or patriotism to run the
risk of weakening our strength by party d.
visions in the struggle.
All divisions among ourselves encourage
the rebels, and weaken tie power of the
Government and greatly increase the
chances of the success of the rebellion.
This, believe, is conceded by all rejecting
men, and the sentiment among the loyal
citizens is unanimous in favor of the pros.
ecuuon of the war, and putting down the
rebellion. Republicans say to Democrats,
ave think this rebellion is justly charga-
BILE to your account but as you are now
willing to put it down, why, inst come over
TO our ranks, come under our Republican
banner, call yourselves Republicans, and
thus admit the truth of all we have charged
against you; and that union of action so
essential to succe IS in this struggle will thus
be effected. Just come and vote and act
with US, they say, "and there will be no
division" Democrats turn round and say
to the Republicans, these troubles are all
Justly chargeable upon you. We told you
what would come from the election of
Lincoln This is but the fruits of your
abolitionism. But we are willing to help
get the country out of these difficulties,
which we think can only be accomplished
by united effort on the part of all loyal
citizens; and to effect this you have only
to come over to our ranks; act with US;
come under our old Democratic banner"
Each party says 10 the other You see the
danger of the country; you see how it can,
in all probability only be saved from de-
struction, now all you have to do is, just
come and unite with US, and we may then
bid defiance to the rebellion"
Now, sir, does not every man see at once
that the energies and efforts of the people
can never be united in support of the Gov.
ernment, in its attempts to subdue the rebel.
| lion, upon auy such oasis as is proposed by
either OF the parties. 1t is not in human
! nature for men to submit to what is exacted
! by either party. Democrats are not going
to admit that they have been in the wrong;
are not going to give up their principles;
are not going to join the Republican party.
Republicans are not going to admit that
they were in the wrong; are not going to
give up their principles; are not going to
join the Democratic party. These parties
cannot approach other other withou: quar-
reling over matters OF the past.
What, then, is to be done? There is suf.
fcient strength among the loyal people to
put down this rebellion and save their
country, if that strength is only concentra
ted and properly used. Is there no other
way of efIecting this than that proposed by
the old parties? l think there is. and tina,
it is to be found upon that common ground
which we have this day formally assumed
and which is being so generally taken il
the other loyal States. Democrats an(
Republicans can meet upon this common
ground without dishonOr or humiliation
No man is asked to admit that he was be
aaore in the wrong; or that his party was a
fault for the troubles of the country.
No one is asked to abandon his priDc
piles. No questions are to be raised as Il
past differences of opinion. Here we will JON
hands, not as Democrats, not as Republi