The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-06-12
Speech of Hon. r. A. Harrison,
At London Ohio. GEES

az LOUtt0Is, SttVs
MY FRIENDS: In this hour of the tri-
umph of the Union Electors of this Con-
gressional District, it gives me heartfelt
pleasure and satisfaction to greet you, not
as Republicans, Democrats, or Bell Ev,
erett men, but as American Citizens-a
title which has been, and trust will be,
until the "last syllable of recorded time. !"
as illustrious and ennobling as any name
known among men.
The world has not witnessed, in this
century, more sublime spectacle than
the loyal States of the American Union
have presented during the past few weeks.
On the 18th day of last month an attack
was made upon le of the Forts of the
United States and an attempt made to
disgrace the gorgeous ensign of the Re-
public" by men owing allegiance to the
Federal Government, and whose highest
duty and greatest pride should have been
to protect the National property and de-
fendsthe National flag. On the 18th of
the same month, the Chief Executive of
the Nation issued his Proclamation, set
ting forth that the laws OF the United
States had been for some time, and were
then, opposed, and the execution thereof
obstructed, in six of the States, by COM
binations too powerful to be suppressed
by the ordinary course of judicial pro-
ccedings, or by the powers vested in the
Marshal by law; and, therefore, in virtue
of the powers vested in the President by
the Constitution and the laws, he called
forth the militia of the several States of
the Union, to the aggregate number Of
seveDty.6ve thousand, in order to suppress
these combinations, and to cause the
laws to be, duly executed. This call was
responded to. with the most wonderful
promptness, alacrity,. and unanimity, by
the people of the loyal States of the
Union. Until the attack on Sumter, we
were engaged. in controversies touching
questions dividing political parties. i The
patriotism of the country seemed to be
lying dormant, or to have become extinct
But when that attack was made, and the
summons to the rescue was issued by the
proper constitutional authority, and the
people heard the very existence of their
National Government threatened, and
saw their National Capital in danger of
destruction or of falling into rebel hands,
the wrangle of political strife was at once
hushed- for the time being party lines
were obliterated- in response to the
cali of patriotic duty, the citizens OF. the
tloyal States stood forth, in solid phalanx,
ready, wilingvand eager to maintain the
Government, defend the National Capt.
tai, and vindicate the supremacy of the
Constitution and the integrity. of the
Onion. At this display. of loyalty and
patriotism by all classes of our people,
without any distinction of party whatev-
er, the heart of every patriot in the land
was made glad, and rejoiced with exceed
ing great Joy. From that day the faith
of. every friend of free institutions was
strengthened. For myself, then deter.
mined that 1 would not be party to any
transaction which might, by possibility
tend toward disturbing the unity of SEN
timent, of feeling, and of action, which
prevailed among our people in regard te
the maintenance and defense of the Gov
ernment. Acting upon this determination
I declined to be q candidate before par
tisan convention for nomination to Con
gress, and yielded to the request of mer
of all parties to become q Union candi
date. because believed them to b.
prompted by the spirit of unity and pat
riotism which pervaded all classes of ou
citizens. / look upon the result of tn
election of last Tuesday as another testi
monial of the fact that with vast major
ity Of men of all parties, the love of tn
Union is the paramount sentiment in a.
the loyal States. Does any good citize
doubt whether that should be so2 Tn
preservation of the Uaion is the grea
+ American interest. The independence
the Republic depends upon it. Our trar
.quillity at home. our peace abroad, ou
safety, our prosperity, our greatness, ou
, renown. and the very liberty which W
SO highly prize. depend upon the presery
alton of the Constitution and the pei
petuation of the. Union. When thes
.then,. are imperiled, should not all oths
interests sink into noshingness? ... :,
My friends, if in the position your FIRE
: snffrages. have, assigned me, I, can be !
: the. e.leastinstrumental in strengthening Il
fabric of constitutional liberty framed b
: Washington and his compeers, I sha
hail with joy tie arGuous duties and gra,
e responsibilities of the station.
Many novel and important questior
q and measures will doubtless be presente
for the action of the next Congress. i
!, shah deal with them according TO IL
o measure of my ability / ask for my &C
8 fair and impartial judgment. Rest al
sured shall labor to ascertain and faitl
fully reflect the will'of tie intelligent an
patriotic constituency shall have I'll
!, honor to represent. 4'a5kne'sT
:, 4 No citizen of Madison county has e
i er occupied seat in. Congress- 4 shaa
.l 4 20