The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-09-06
Hon. Daniel 8. Dickinson on the
Rebellion.

Hon. Daniel s. Dickinson addressed
large meeting in Wyoming county, Pa, on
Monday of last week. urging q vigorous
prosecution Of the war. lie said: Amid oil
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
lamentablc condition, our government threat
cned with disruption, our Constitution with
subversion, and our institutions with over
throw. | meet you here not to discuss slave
ry or auti.slavery. Though an old.line
Democrat, brought up at tho feet Of Ga
maliel, and adhcring with tcnacity to the
principles of Democracy through an active
life, yet come not to speak to you upon
political partisan subjects. ! como to dis.
cuss 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. Their expert
ment has become great success, and we are
enjoying, or might enjoy, such blessing as
Heaven never before vouchsafed to mortal
man. But a conspiracy has appeared; strife
and division are at our doors; and 1t becomes
ms now to SEQ whether the fruits Of this
great and bcnefcent Union must be lost or
whether they can be preserved. 1t matters
not whether tho origin Of our difficulties was
North or South, or East or West-the qucs.
tion is, How shall 1t be dealt with and dis
posed of! When the citidel Of our country
is in flames, when the cdifice that Washing
ton and Franklin and their associates erected,
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 citadel from destruction. l
cannot afford to turn away from my duty
because political opponent is acting with
me, nor to stay back from my duty because
a political friend deserts me. No, must
60 on and discharge great duty. ! hold 1t
to be the first duty Of every citizen, of every
party, to aid in restoring-if restored It can
be--this great and good government. II 1t
is right for portion Of this country to take
up arms against this government, 1t Is right
to sustain such action; and II they are
wrong. they should be put down by the
power of the people. There is no halfway
house in this matter-no tarrying place be-
tween sustaining the government and at
tempting its overthrow. There is no peace
proposition that will suit the case until the
rebellion is first put down. And were In
favor. or disposed to tamper with this rebel
lion, or aid or countenance 1t. would 81
and take up arms with them. Because, II It
is right for them to take up arms, 1t is right
fur them to have armed aid and assistance.
If they are wrong, If they are guilty OF
treason, and murder. and arson, chen they
should be overthrown by the whole power OF
the government, and put down 80 that no
resurrection day will ever find rebellion
again. Now I believel l am ono OF those
who, in former years, thought that sectional
discussions put IN jeopardy the well.beins of
the Union. I believe now, m then, that
there never was sectional controversy that
justified this, or any armed rebellion. be-
lieve this rebellion did not arise out OF Sec
tional agitation, but from blind, wicked,
reckless ambition. And believe II Is the
duty Of every man. woman, and child to
raise an arm against Ii to crush IL. But
they say. "You would not coercc a state'"
No: would not cocrce state first, be-
cause II is impracticable; because you can.
not coerco state. Second. because 1t would
be unjust to coerce q state in its domestic
policy, If It could be done. But you may
ooercc rebellion in state until you give that
state an opportunity to act through its loyal
citizens in its duties to the Union. And |
would coerce rebellion wherever could nnd
it. You may not cocrce community ou'
you may coerce its thieves and murdersn.-
You may cosrce state criminals and shus
enable the state and iis loyal citizens to ful.
fl their relations in the government CT tho
Union. II ws can sustain our Union, II we
can uphold our Constitution, Il is not BY
compromising with rebelliou-it is BY put
ting down rebellion. and making our COM
promise with fidelity. And Of al men liv-
ing, Democrat Is the last man who can