The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-09-11

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Speech of the Hon. Daniel 8.
Dickinson.
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND LADIES AND GENTLE
MEN 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 most lamentable condition-our Gov
ernment threatened with disruption, our
Constitution with subversion, and our insti
tutions with overthrow. We are met here
for the purpose of discussing the great inter
ests of a common country, and of determin-
ing what becomes us in an exigency so try
ing and so fearful meet you here not to
discuss Slavery or antl-Slavery. Though an
old line Democrat, brought up at the feet Of
Gamaliel, and adhering with tenacity to the
principles of Democracy through an active
life, yet come not to speak to you upon
political partisan subjects. come to discuss
matter that concerns our Union, one that
rises far above and shoots deeper than party
interests or issues. We have duty, my
fellow-citizens, far beyond that Of the fathers
of the Revolution. They were oppressed by
tyranny, and they sought to throw off the
the shackles of a despotic monarchy. They
hoped that great and free Government
would spring up from their patriotic efforts,
but the most sanguine never imagined that
Government so replete with good would
be the fruits Of their beginning. What with
them was hope, with us is fruition. They
planted, and we reaped. Their experiment
has become great success, and we are en-
joying, 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 now to see whether the fruits of this great
and beneficent Union must be lost or wheth-
er they can be preserved. 1t were needless
to 60 back torevicw dead and buried issues.
There is great fact staring us in the face,
and with that we have to deal. 1t matters
not whether the origin of.our difficulties was
North or South, or East or West-the aues-
tionis, How shall it be dealt with and dis
posed Of? In every government, and espe-
cially in every free government, political par
ties viii arise. And it is well that we have
them. So far from being curse when res.
trained within legitimate bounds they are a
blessing. The strife of political parties, like
the agitation of the natural elements, puri-
fies the moral atmosphere, and gives life, and
vigor, and freedom to our institutions
There are some questions too great, some too
small, for the exercise Of political parties I;
and we have many duties to discharge in
the various relations of life that do not ap-
pertain to political affairs, but which we
should come together and discharge, as
American citizens, as brethren of one tie,
and not inquiring whether we belong to this
or that or the other division of political par
ties. When we assemble around the grave
of a neighbor, and hear those words that
have riven SO many hearts, "Earth to earth,
dust to dust, ashes to ashas," and hear the
creaking of the cord as the remains are low
cred to their final resting place, the strifes
of passion are hushed in the bosom, we re-
member only that we are inquire not
what were the political views of the dead or
living. At midnight you hear the cry Of
sire ~ You rush into the street, and find
your neighbours dwelling in flames. 1t is
found that in the terror of the moment a
mother has left her infant in the chamber.
The flames hiss through every crevicc, the
rafters tumble, the cinders crumble, and
another and another makes the attempt, till
a: last one is lost in the flames Every eye
ball is strained, every heart palpitates, every
breath is hushed, every muscle stands out
like whipcords, and all believe he is lost, but
finally he appears and restores the loved
and lost to its swooning mother, but no one
inquiries to what political party he belongs.
When the citadel Of our country is in flames,
it becomes US, whatever may have been our
political proclivities before, to rise far above
all other considerations, and to keep this cita-
del from destruction. (Cheers.) cannot
afford to turn away from my duty because a
political opponent is acting with me, nor to
stay back from a duty because political
friend deserts me. No; must 60 on and
discharge great duty. I hold it so be the
first duty Of every citizen, of every party,
70 aid in restoring--if restored it can be-
this great and good government. Cheers,
and cries Of "That's the doctrine.'') Previ.
GUS to tie last political election. this country
was at peace with the world, and it was in
the enjoyment Of greater privileges than any
other Government on earth; there, was nc
people so blessed in every ramification Of
society This mighty sea Of happy faces be-
fore me testifies to the fact that they have
been in the enjoyment Of civil and religion,
freedom. And SO it was from the North t.
the South, and from the East to the West
with over tbnty millions of people, rnop
pressed by Government, but every one en-
joying the fruit of his own industry. ant
literally none to modest or to make afraid
Then, what cause is there for this grea
disturbance? Why is it that one portion o
this country Is in arms asrainsf anothnrp 7 n