Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-09-14
Great Union Rleeting at Irving Hall.
SPEECH OF HON. JOSEPH HOLT, OF KENTUCKY
[FrOm the Journal Of Commerce, 4,h inst

did not prevent the hlllng OF Irving Hall
with merchants and other citizens, to hear
an address from Hon. Joseph Holt, Ex-
Secretary of War, in compliance with an
invitation from the Chamber of Commerce.
About s o'clock Mr.. Holt appeared on
the stage, accompanied by the officers and
members of the Chamber. The distin,
guished Kentuckian was salutcd with
cheers, the swinging of hats, the waving
of handkcrchiefs, and all the conventional
tokens of admiration and sympathy.
VIM. E. Dodge called the meeting to
order, and nominated as chairman Pelc-
tiah Perit, President of the Chamber.
! Mr. Pcrit, on taking the chair amid
great applause, briefly stated the object of
the meeting, and adverted to few well
known important events in the recent his
tory of Mr.. Holt, whom he then formally
introduced.
Mr.. Holt was received with new and
prolonged outbursts of wild enthusiasm
He commenced by alluding to the position
of Kentucky. Traitors within and traitors
without had in vain tried to drag that old
State from her moorings, and send her on
that stormy sea whercon many States arc
now nearly wrecked. kentucky and New
York are bound in the same Union, and
animated with the same hope to preserve
it. Kentucky, by her last election, shows
that she abhors traitors as Rome abhorred
Cataline, as Americans abhor Benedict
Arnold, as Christians abhor Judas. Yet
the papers now assures us that the scces-
sionists are preparing to light the flames OF
civil war in that State, because she has re-
fused, like Faust, to sell herself to the
devil. In such an event he could only
say that the peaceful Union men of Ken.
lucky carry bullets as well as ballots in
their pockets. Mr. Holt then modestly
referred to his conduct as Secretary o.
War. Had he done anything less than
he did, he would have disgraccd himself
infinitely before the world. He did not
intend to inflict on his audience a studied
harangue. 1t was unnecessary, among
these people and at this time. He would
however, say something of his observations
in several loyal States through which he
had journeyed. lie found everywhere a
solemn determination to carry on the war
and uphold the Government, and at the
same time to do justice to the South
This resolve was everywhere accompanied
by deep sadness at the unhappy condition
of the country. The war seemed every
where to be regarded, not as war upon
the South, but a war for her protection
and defence. 1t was war upon those
traitors who had levellcd a desperate blow
at our Union and our greatness. The
advantages of Union needed no demon.
stration. To dismembcr these States, and
make them the prey of every audacic us
spoiler, would utterly destroy the last
hopes that belong to US. The war is not
one of conquest, or spoliation, or passion
or revenge, but in every light in which it
can be regarded, it is war of duty. 1t
is a struggle for national existence. 1t
was war of duty because no nation can
commit suicide without the perpetuation of
cowardly and atrocious crime. 1t was
war of duty, because we have no right
to bear our fathers names, and give up
the institutions won by their blood, to be
trampled under the feet of traitors. 1t
was war OF duty, because We are the ap-
pointed agents to transmit these institutions
to our children. 1t was war of duty,
because we stand before the world as the
champions of Republican form of Gov
crnment, whose downfall would be cheered
by kings and despots. How often have
kings and despots predicted this day, and
longed for its coming? How gladly would
each one of them build monument with
these words on it" In memory of the
.riat American Republic, founded by
Washington, destroyed by Toombs, Twiggs
and Foyd?"
The speaker then briefly sketchcd the
progress of the rebellion, and showed that
it had been accompanied by treachery at
every step. The sentiment of patriotism
had been corrupted at the very fountain.
That man who will betray his country will
betray his God, He will not be true even
to his wife and children. The Govern
ment had been and is surrounded by trait.
ors. There are traitors in the North in
the persons of those who Justify the South
ern rebellion, and they are morally guilty
of the deaths of those men who fall fighting
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