The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-09-11
Extracts from Speech delivered by
Hon. Joseph Holt, at New York,
aaas.s Sept. 8, 1861. aH ia3n


of boundless rejoicing that the freemen of
Kentucky are still permitted to call the,
freemenl Of New York their fellow-citi-9
zens. Loud cheers for Kentueky. -ro
Traitors within and traitors without have
striven increasingly TO drag that noble old
commonwealth from the moorings Of her
loyalty and to send her adrft on that
stormy and bloody sea of rebellion and
treason where, so many of our States arc
now being wrecked; but thank God,
neither their seductions, nor their mach
nations, have proved of any avail
Cheers. In spite of all the efforts to,
rend them asunder, New York and Ken
lucky this night stand before the world
as sisters. Cheers. The freemen of
Kentucky are still the brethren Of the
freemen of New York, united by the same
blessed memories, cradled by the same
transporting hopes, and animated by the
same stern and inAexible resolve to main
tain the Union, whatever expenditure of
life or OF treasure the patriotic struggle
may involve. Applause. Kentucky
has not now, she never has had, and she
never can have sympathy with either the
spirit or the purpose of those conspirators
who, at the head of armies, and in the
mad pursuit of power, are now reddening
their hands in a nations blood. APP
plause. She abhors them as Rome alb
horred Catalina. rs the American people
abhorrcd Benedict Arnold, and as Chris
tians abhor the memory of Judas Iscari-
ot. = ...f, sso,.,a irg
"A few words, however, L will submit,
somewhat in connection withra Journey L
recently made through several of the 10y
al States. | have everywhere found the
most healthfu and the most encouraging
condition of the public sentiment in ref
erence 10 the prosecution of the war;
Enthusiastic applause. have nowhere
found any feeling of evaporation against
tho people Of the South--no buster, no
threatening; but at every point found
n solemn determination to uphold the
government, connected, at the same time,
with sadness, and with depth of ear
nestness | woukl in vain endeavor TO des-
cribe.o Applause. Strong and brave
men, when speaking to mo of tho unhap-
py distractions which rend our country,
have wept in my presence have hon.
ored these men for this unwonted cxhibi-
ton of deep feeling, for if brave man
cannot weep over the threatened ruin of
such country and such government as
this, where is there catastrophe or sor-
row that can touch his hearth Every
where aud in all places the people seem
now TO realize the fact that this is not
war uponlbe people of the South, but
war undertaken for their defence and for
their deliverance. Cries of "Good' artl
"Thats so" If it were indeed war
against them we should bow our faces in
the dust and confess that our glorious in
stitutions were q failure. But it is no
such a war. Applause. II is war
against band of traitors and conspira-
tors who have possessed themselves of the
government of this distracted country to
establish military dospotism and who,
in the remorselessness of their ambition
are plugging themselves into a worse
profigacy than those who in other lands
have disturbed the repose of nations.
The public mind no longer occupies it.
self with any discussions MS to the causes
of the war. 1t no longer wants logical
, arguments in discussing and exposing the
dangers Of the doctrine Of secession, as
seen in the light of current and recent
events. We know too well what it has
already accomplished. And now we can
no more think Of gravely examining tho
subject with view Of tracing its treason
able character, than we would think of
analyzng the kiss of Judas to prove it
was only the poison of treachery. Ap-
plausc. Equally and strongly impressed
is the PUBLIC mind rs to the consequences
3 which would flow from the success Of this
rebellion. The providence of God and
the most sacred compacts Of men have
made us one people, and the experience Of
three-quarters of a century have demon.
stated that in this unity of a country, and
a government, and of people, consists
at once our greatness and our happiness.
Enthusiastic applause.l Dismember tho
States and the government, and cast their
miserable fragments on the wild and
bloody torrent of revolution, and we be-
come the prey os every audacious spoiler
and TINS would be utterly destroyed the
last hope that belongs to us rs a nation.
Cheers. Equally, too, is tho public
mind fixed, in my judgment, in reference
to tho character Of this war IL is not
war of conquest, or of aggression, or
spoilaton, or passion, or of revenge but,
} in every light in which it can be regard
} ed, it is war of duty. Applause and
cries Of "Thats So A struggle SO in
tense as it's must be struggle for nation
, nj eyistence Is .B if .f, N .le lli
} No nan can doubt the courage or low,
; atty of the President Of the United Stssf
} Il loud, long, and enthusiastic cheesr
the President )--or his determinaSD
suppress this rebellion. To Hmm
fho conefifniiOn tbn ,,<,>,lo. ,yo,