The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-11-27
From the ". Y. Tribune
n TIMELY SPEECH BY HON JOHN
COCRRANE.

NOCAAANE.
Hou the War should be carried on-A Siqnif
cant Enforcement of as Sentiments 6y tn
Secretary of War.
The following is the full report of Colone
Cochrane's speech, made to his soldiers las
evening, on the occasion of the presentation o.
flag:
SOLDIERS OF THE FIRST UNITED STATES CBAs
sEURs: Bravo Colonel. have word to say
to you to-day. l have engaged in an arduou:
struggle. You have prosecuted it; you intend
to prosecute it; you have stood unflinchingly
before the enemy; you have proved yourselves
patriotic, able, and tried soldiers, and you are
entitled to the need of praise. /, your com.
mander, this day feel that it is a proud duty to
extend to you the hand of appreciation, and to
declare that you are worthy Of your country.
Soldiers, you have undergone labor you have
laced The enemy; you have stood without re-
treating before their fire. you have borne the
Inclemencies OF the season, and you are ready to
advance with that grand army Of which you are
part. Your country opens its arms, receives
you to Its bosom. 1t will always praise and ap.
Plaud you. Its commanders stand at the head
OF the column, and with you behind them they
are not to be deferred. But the command is
forthcoming-forward,m march towards the en-.
emy. Take his possessions, for they are yours ;
they are yours to occupy; they are yours to en-
JOY you are no marauders, you are no plunder
ers OF property not your own, but you are the
avengers OF the law; you are the right arm of
the Constitution; under your flag march patriot.
ism and order, and republican institutions in
your train follow peace, prosperity and liberty
you are the servants of these high potentates,
and the arm through which they strike is the
arm OF the worthy public servant who stands be-
hind me on this occasion, the Secretary of War.
Soldiers. you have been called to the field, not
as marauders and mercenaries, but as the defen-
ders OF our high faith, defenders of our glorious
reputation, defenders of our honor and renown.
around which cluster the memories of the past,
and whose feats and performances will yet dis
tngui,h the future. You are led forward by a
commander under whom to serve is a pride for
the highest amongus. lie enjoys the confidence
OF the people, and his reputation already renders
powerless the arms of your enemies By him
We have won victories In the South, and by these
victories We have assurances of triumphs vet to
come. Beaufort is ours - Charleston NAV be
ours-the whole country now disinteerated uay
be shortly united by the force of those arms OF
which you are part, and the Union once more
SIGNIFY to the world the intent of that glorious
motto, L. Pluribus Unum Then no longer
snail be heard that fell doctrine of secession
which would tear US asunder, and distract, part
from part, this glorious Union; but We shall all
De as we have been, one and inseperabe, under
me flag of our glorious nationality won by our
fathers and preserved by you [Applause. I
Here is assembled on the banks of the Potomac
an army, the like of which the world has never
seen. The motive which has gathered that ar. |
my together never before was presented to the |
eye OF history. 1t was congregated by no des- |
potic order; it was the voluntary wish, the mo- |
tive p over, OF every man composing it - the |
power of men rushing, as with one purpose. to |
reiterate the flag of our Union, and save the |
Republic. That, soldiers, is your mission and |
you have commander who, with lightning speed
will lead you to conquest, and with equal speed
will transmit the glory of your labors to the re-
hottest corners OF our country. And now, per-
NIT me, though the shades of night are falling
upon US, to indulge in few words as to the
cause OF the war, and the means by which it is
TO be brought to successful termination. The
material aid have already adverted to: the mo
live power remains to be commented upon. On
The one side you have the Confederate army;
On the other side you have the Union-the Fed.
'ral army. Now, the difference between these
wO words, IN their common acceptatiOn, is the
,ause for which these two are fighting. 1t is
Secession against Federation Federation against
Secession. Nationality agaist disunion confu-
ion against order; anarchy against good, free
md liberal Governments Government made
qually by the Fathers of the South and the
fathers of the North. We are in a revolution.
ry period. The South contends for the right
# revolution. We admit the right; but while
We admit it we invoke the sole umpire which
nay be invoked on such occasions the umpire
the sword, the umpire of force, the ultima
attic, that last effort to which men appeal when
hey have differences otherwise irreconcilable. .
'hey-the SOuth-have resorted to arms, and !.
hey have compelled US to the same resort, and
they claim that it is a war of self preservation
n their part, it is equally war of self preser.
alton on ours, and if We are in controversy for
cry existence, then / contend that all the re.
Durces, all the means within ourselves, individ.
ally, collectively, and nationally must be resor.
ID to and adopted. Applause. But some q
iend-a doubter-exclaims "WOuld you dis. )
lpt and tear asunder the Constitution ?" Where =
the Constitution Would you tread and tram =
lie upon that sacred instrument and no longer
its binding force? No longer be r
ound by its compromises and DEGREES? an.
Ter, no. The Constitution, by the necessity of Y
he controversy, is cast behind the arena of the "
rife. May it rest there safe until the present {
rife being over, it shall be restored to its origi.
al purity and force. Like the sybil leaves when '
st, the remainder becomes more valuable in = =
lr eyes, and IL the midst of carnage We will =
asp to our bOsoms that instrument whose worth =
as never been transcribed by human efforts.
Dldiers, TO what means shall we resort for our
<istence: This war is devoted not merely to
ctory and its mighty honors, not merely to the
iumph which moves in glorious procession
ong our streets, but it is a war which moves Il
ward the protection of our homes, the eafety f
our families. the continuation of our domestic {,
tars, and the protection of our fresides In
'eh war We are justified, are bound to resort -,
every force within our power. Having opened =
e port OF Beaufort, We shall be able to export :,
llllons OF cotton bales, and from these We NAV :,
Use the sinews of war. Do you say that .
e should not seize the cotton? No; YOU are =.
ear upon that point. Suppose the munitions :;
war are within our reach, would We not be :,
lilty OF shameful neglect if We avaed not our. +;
Ives OF the opportunity to use them? Suppose =
e enemy slaves were arrayed against you, =
ould you. from aEy squeamishness, refrain from :.
'lnting against them the hostile gun, and pros :,
atlng them in death? No. that is your object =,
ID Purport; and if you would seize their prop :, |"
ty, open their ports, and even destroy their ~
res, ask you whether you would not use their =,
aves! Whether YOU would not arm their =,
.ves great applause, and carry them in bat. -
lions against their masters? [Renewed tumul. ~
Gus applause If necessary to save this gov. :,
nment, would plunge their whole country, s.
ack and white, into one indiscriminate sea of .,
ood, SO that We should in the end have a gov 6,
nment which would be the vicegerent of God,
n hor -