Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-12-20

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be united.
With these facts before us, what is
our dutyp You know what l think
Let us then, forgetting all past differen-
ces, unite earnestly in adopting the only
practical solution of this question--that
OF striking the enemy on his most vul-
nerable point. (Applause.) In this
grand battle let us cling with unfalter-
ing faitn and hope to the flag of our
fathers, (applause,) and fight on, and
tight ever, without concealment Of our
purposes, and without again comnro.
missing with wrong, until we lift the
whole Union, "one and indivisible,o
above the ruin which tonight envirops
it--and the nation, thus purified, invip-
GRATED and strengthened by the stern
ordeal of battle, shall again shine out as
the beacon-light of Liberty to the OPP
pressed of the world, with no spot to
darken her fair escutcheon, but shining
out as beautiful as the morning, giving
light, and hope, and JOY to the strug-
Cling millions of the earth. To fight for
such government and such principles
] have asked men all over my district to
volunteer in the liberating army of the
Republic. Who does not feel thankful
that Providence has cast his lot where
he may be an actor in such contest
Who does not feel it a privilege TO be
living at such time for
eve are living, we are dwelling,
In grand and awful time;
In an age on ages telling,
To be living is sublime.
Will We play, then, will we daily,
With music and your wine?
Upi 1t is Jehovahs rally
Gods own arm hath need of timer
Fellow-citizens, I have spoken to
you tonight freely and frankly
Much that have said might have been
omitted, and my own convictions and
opinions could, had l have chosen, have
been kept entirely concealed. l have
felt it to be my duty, however, as l did
last spring, when apprised you in my
letters of the formidable proportions of
this rebellion and the danger that beset
the life of the nation, to call your atten-
tion to the facts upon which l then pass
ed my opinions. / leave these facts
with you for your Judgment. When
you have fully and impartially examined
them, as have, l will have no fear of
your verdict. In day or two more /
go to Washington, and l confess to you
that never went to the discharge of a
duty with more distrust in my own
abilities and with more sincere desire
for the aid and counsel of friends and
the guidance of Him "who doeth
all things we'll" Earnestly desiring
above all things the restoration of peace,
the Union and the Constitution, shall
continue, as have, to urge vigorous
prosecution of the war, and continue, as
have, to resist all attempts at compro-
mise or surrender to the enemy by
patching up peace, knowing full well,
as do, that no peace can be honorable
or enduring which is made over the
PROSTATE form of Justice. (Applause.)
Confident that the nation or people who
do not rule in righteousness shall perish
from. the earth, believe every citizen has
sacred duty to perform. In this trying
hour of our country's peril, that duty is
to aid by every means in his power, in
restoring the Government to the princi-
Piles and policy of its founders | be-
lieve that the first and highest duty of
Government is to protect every Loyal
inhabitant in their persons, their liber-
ties and their property, protecting all
and granting special favors to none.-
This is the sum and substance of my po-
litical faith. 1t is an exceedingly simple
one, but it is all the platform l ask, and
I intend, with Gods blessing, to be
faithful to it in the midst of this rebel
lion, the dissolution of parties and the
desertion of men, so that for my own
honor and that Of my children it shall
never be truthfully said or written Of
me, that | was an apostle to that faith,
or that 1 abandoned the sacred cause OF
Liberty for the sake OF place or power,
| Nong continued applause.)