Smyrna times., 1861-08-15
MISCELLAN EOUS.
Frsm the Columbus 70 )Slate Journal Aug.7
Speech by Hon. John ]. Crittenden


Speech by Hon. John ]. Crittenden.
The srEiVal yesterday Of the venerable and
distinguished John J. Critienden having been
announced, large concouise of citizens waited
on him at bis hotel, and at their urgent request
he kindly consented to address them in the eve-
ming. Accordingly, directly after sunset large
assemblage convened at the State House. and
Mr.. CFittenden was introduced. He was look.
ing earewOFn and fatigued by travel, and at
fret his remarks were not very audible. He
spoke Of the great contest before us; the sud-
denness with which il was precptated upon Us.
But few short months ago, said Mr.. e, such
ss is now shrouding our country in gloom was
snthought of among the people. But now we
are involved in it we must meet it like men.
il lie not a war that is to be prosecuted for the
sake of war, and ought to be conducted with
none ofthe common harbarites of war, 1t must
nevertheless, be prosecuted by no halfway
measures. My friends, we must gather the
utmost strength of the country, aud grid up the
xergiss OF ur minis to this most momentors
eontest. And lei 1t be proset uIsd only for the
purpose that it ought TO be carried on, and con-
cluded for the restoration Of our government
aud the Union, In any event it is a war that
cannot last long. 1t will prove itself too Op
pressiye upon all classes OF our people to permit
OF its being long continued.
1t becomes, therefore duty to maintain this
great Government and this magnificent and
from the terrible calamity Of dsunion. This
] would aim by all the powers of my life 10
prevent. Hence it is that | have Just come
from voting millions of money aud hundreds Of
thousands OF moo and in order that the issue
may be decided more speedily, and our erring
brethren be united TO Us once more. For, tel
lov-cIiZens, | believe we shall be reunited
And have Confidence in the belief that, instead
OF destroying or even weakening US, this war
will make our Union stronger that ever before
One thing 10 certain, that this war will ms Ike
tue people better acquainted with each other,
aud each SECTION will be convinced that it would
be great deal better to have each other for
friends than enemies; for they " II fad that
whils they eau be the best offrends 10 each
other, they would. in ease Of separation, be The
worst possible enemies. They will mutually
see that neither is destitute of courage-that
all are bold, brave man, as our country men ha ze
Psusing q moment, Mr.. G.. continued as if in
Feply ALL are in soGle things 10 blame.
u The South has. believe, most needlessy for.
red this war upon US needlessly, becsuse a II The
wrongs OF which they. could Complain could
better have heeu Temeded ia the Union and
uadeE the Constitution thun by any act of war
And yet others are not without blame {; fer only
ysGr ago last winter, they could have adup-
ted measures Of peace which were rendered by
resolution the power of securing peace was
then 10 iheir hands. but their party pride pre.
vented both from accepting the plan proposed
One insisted upou this. and the other upon that
nll bsIwesa the this and that Of parties tho
present unhappy quarrel has been forced u poi
us. 10 is wss fsr us all TO purify our own hsa rts
sRa zee whsrsiR we Too have been in the wrong
We esBusI expect 10 carry ourselves along 6y
wasting siikeE suG courage or our CAUSE
The sssdeA OF the contest 10 too serious for that
and n will rest with The people then selves to
sHe il ius manner satisfactory to themselves
I have the strongest confidence in the general
Intelligence and virtue of our people. but
think the world has never seen such a degrade.
tioa Of political intelligence rs prevailed among
partisan leaders when this war began.
To such degree had this come TO pass that
our Secession friends had concluded tina! there
was no power in the Government and that they
bad only to put forth their hand and, at a
single shove. OVerIurn the whole structure
But the Government thus nssaied, the ugh pow
eTlsss itself, termed to the people, and behold a.!
u was found to be the strongest Government on
earth. Even the great Napoleon, III the full
ness Of bis power. could not have raised from
all The legsns Of France. such an army as Dir
Lincoln has rallied. in the brief space of but
ninety days, for the defence Of the Government
That Government has not boon und cannot be
overturned. My friends, my failing voice warns
me 10 be brief But let me add that the world
are spectators OF this unex pected strife. And
we nust consideF that VS. are now no dug in
our hands not only the material interests Ofthe
present. but also the political interests of all fu
iusiy. la this light look upon The present
Contest as the most mOmenlous event that his
tory has recorded for thousand wears pasi
Let Us, then, be wise and be waIchful in guard
Ing such IN ghty inter ats
After gracefully thanking his attentive
audience, Bic. c. retired amid prolong ID ap.
Plause.
The Rattle in Miesnuri