Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-07-20


star Of their genius, to advocate the
principles they advocated, to cherish
sustain and protect the government
they formed. 1t is in this relation to
our ancestors that we are gathered
here, and the voice Of our country will
proclaim in the majority, the fact that
we will perform the duties that the
present condition Of the country i'm
poses opon us. Since the great ad-
vance in National affairs was made on
the 4th day Of July, 1916, and as the
succeeding years have rolled their
ceaseless rounds, success and prosperi-
ty have been fully enjoyed in our coun-
try, and the blessings and benefits so
hardly earned by our revolutionary
fathers have been fully realized by us.
And I do not know what shall bear
with stronger obligations on enlighten-
ed minds, than reference to, and
knowledge of, the history and devotion
of departed patriots and statesmen,
knowing as we do that their examples
and counsels are actively operating on
the generations which succeed them.
We have, then, the strongest ties Of
affection to inspire and oyerwhelm the
mind we have the speaking spirits Of
the illustrious departed to urge and en-
courage us in our duty We lnow that
the natural sentiments beloMglng to US
as human beings, when applied to the
Government and the protection Of our
National fabric, are in reality the beat
ing of hearts connected by the fondeSt
ties Of National love to those Of our
ancestors, and the duty of every man,
respecting the Constitution and the
Declaration Of Independence, Ito eel
citrate which we have here assembled)
must be readily comprehended and un-
derstood. Briefly, we know the histo-
ry of our Country, and / shall not de-
tain or weary you with any unnecessa-
ry repetition of facts or events already
fresh in your minds. Neither will |
cndeavor to interest you with discus
sion Of topics or events, partaking Of
the usual sameness of Orations deliver
ed upon similar occasions, but [ shall
speak with reference to a sense of du-
ty, always endeavoring to keep in view
the interest and the protection Of eve
ry State. And now while our country
is convulsed with sectional strife, and
TIE question, Union Or no Union, is be-
| fore the people, we will pause for re-
Election and meditation; the present is
the most critical era in the existence of
the American Nation.
According to the suggestions and
views Of our greatest statesmen, ''the
death knell of the Union may have
been already sounded" Millions Of
hearts have been beating with fondest
hope, that some terms Of Cancellation
and honorable compromise might have
been resorted to, and where we weigh
the duties we owe in kindred affection
to each other, the duty Of man to man,
the obligations Of State to State, land
in due reflection the horrors of civil
wary the undeniable truth that no ma
ton can be governed which must be
perpetually conquered, when we weigh
the chances of perpetual dissolution
it is then that we are appealed to by
the endearing principles Of nationality
and unity, calmly to consider self-evi-
dent truths, and make all necessary
sacrifice to protect and maintain the
Union entire; and 1 feel fully justified
in the assertion that there are thous-
ands of hearts in the East and in the
West, in the North and in the South,
asserting with earnest resolution, eve
will not be satisfied with divided Re
public-we ask for the whole Union
I will not talk to You in language for
eicn to my firm convictions and belief
in relation to the present difficulties >
sorrow: and gloom now overhang the
Nation, and however we may differ in
political questions and political meas
ures, this is not time or place to give
: more than passing allusion to what
: Tin my humble opinion) has already
shaken the foundation Of National af
fection in the hearts Of the people,
However, | do believe that policy
entertaining no terms Of Cancellation
or compromise is not the firmest devo
tion to the Union, and is at war with
the principles and sentiments taught u:
from childhood III words Of holy writ
That true patriots and loyal American:
struggling for the protection and unity
Of States, will cheerlully consent te
: honorable concession, be it in favor o
, the North or in favor of the South
Whether expressions like these are
worthy of merit, time may explain.
simply speak with reference to a sense
of duty OF my part, and in eonsidera
f ton of the obligations by which | an
bound to my country. And in th'
: language Of a true patriot and devotel
senator, eff a dissolution of the UnioI