New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-08-05
SPEECH OF THE HON JOSEPH HOLT
no THE KENTUCKY TROOPS Al CAMP "JOE HOLT, "
INDIATA.

Camp Joe Holt" requesting the distinguished ex-
Secretary of War to visit them, the Hon. Joseph Holt
went over to the eucampnent on Wednesday after
noon. The camp is beautifully located at the Fails Of
the Ohio, in the midst Of the remains Of former
forest. An immense Concourse Of ladies and gentle
men, both Of Indiana and of Louisville were present
this interesting OCCASION The troops uniformed and
IN arms, drawn up in font OF the stand occupied
by Mr.. Holt and Gen. Rousseau and they presented
fine appearance. They look az if Kentucky martial
renown viii not be likely to retrograde in their
guardianship. About O'Clock 2. m Gen. Rousseau
very gracefully introduced Mr.. Holt to the troops,
preparatory to the delivery Of the beautiful speech
which we publish below.
The readers Of tli eloquent contribution Of genius
will admire lite many and It's varied beauties, but in the
midst Of their admiration we can truly say what As.
chimes sud Of the great speech Of DemostLenes for
the Crown. Hschnes wac the iival orator III tins
great contest, and the triumpb Of DemostheDos was
accompanied with the Punishment Of G>schines. lie
went TO RhOdos, and became teacher III that lsiand
On one occasiou he read 1e two oratons to bis pupils,
and in the midst Of their expressions OF admiration for
tho Grafton Of Dem0sthenes, dschInes exclaimed, IL
you admire il in my reading, what would you have
done bad vou heard Demosthenes deliver II u We
had the unspeakable pleasure of hearing Mr. Holt de-
liver the speech OF The camp, Pleasure that no one
can reach from reading hearing 1t from any other
source II was isene to with profound atentioh by
the immense auditory and il frequently called forth,
In its progress, the most raptufous applause -,
Mr.. Holt leaves here tomorrow, and caTries WIZ
him the profound gratitude of thousands OF tho Union
men and women Of Kentucky, whose hearts have been
touched by the electric fires of his patriotic genus ana
oloquence: fl.
since Won are s SUCH and il is only because you have
resolved that no earthly power shall rob you OF THIS
proud title in any manner curtal the privileges and
blessings associated with H. that you have become sol
Z, Irs 10 1fg ly arfYO Won
have donned for the purpose Of doing battle in defense
of that citizenship, which is at once the most lntenee
and the most truthful expression of your political e
No poor words of mine could adequately conyery TO
YOU the grateful emotions inspired by the ndncsstnd
warmth of this welcome. should have been rejoiced
10 meet you anywhere. How full, therefore, the
of my hsOpuess must be 10 meet you lefe III
such presence, and amid tie thrilling associations
inseparabe from the scene you can we'll understand.
/ should have felt proud 10 have my name connected
with the humblest trapping OF your encampment, but
20 have luked IL with the encnpment ltel ana thus
inscribed &c upon one OF the nll-siones that
mark yOur progress toward those fields OF danger aud
of fame that await you, is AT once au honor and
token of your confidence aud good will Tor which
cannot DO too profoundly thankful
1t is not my purpose TO occupy you with any poll-
cal discussion. The cleaning banner, the glstenlng
bayoneis and the martial mnsic and indeed all that
meets the eye the upon this tented hcld aduon-
ish me that with you at least Inc argument Is SA-
hansted andtbat You have no longer doubts TO solve
or besitating convictions TO confirm. Your resolution
taken and you openly proclaim HAT, let others do
as they WILL as for yourselves, uchiled by the Arctic
airs Of neutrality you are determined to love your
country and unawed by traitors, 10 fight its battles,
and If need be- 70 lay down your lives for its preser-
walton. 1t is indeed transporting to the Eatots heart
TO look upOn the faces OF men that are thus submey
resolved and there for positive enchantment in
The very atmosphere whose pulsations have been
stirred by the brealhings OF their heroic spirits. Now
that the booming Of tue cam on OF treason and the cry
Of men stricken unto death for fidelity 10 our flag arc
hpgag Ia m IN "a
soul 10 be dragged into CUmpaniOnship with those who
sill vacil6e, VITO sll timldiy balancing chances
and colby calculating losses and gains-who still per-
fi in treating this aCoIized struggle for national eX-
stence as a petty question Of commerce, and deber-
aely take ont their scales and weigh 10 our presence
the beggarly jewels Of trade against the life Of our
country, .
the deepesi and grnudes Of human emotions Is the
love OF tie land that gave bih IL il an enlarge
nent and oxaltaon Of all the tendeTeei and strongest
sympatlies Of kindred and OF home. ~ all centuries
aud Chimes il has lived and has deied CHAINS and dun
peous and racks to crush it, 1t has strewed the earth
with its monuments, and has shed mdyng lusire on a
thousand fields on which il has bauled. Through the
night OF ages Ihermopyle glows Ike some mountain
meas on which the morning sun has f1sen, because
tweny-three hundred years ago. the haowing passion
touched its mural precipicos and It's frownng cragr:
Il Is easy, however, 70 be patriotic IN piping tunes OF
peace aud in the sunny hour Of prosperity. IL is ma
tona sorow-it is war, with its attendant penis aud
horrors that tests this passion and winnOws from tie
masses those who, with all their love OF lie ftill love
their country While your present position IS
most vivid and impressive illustration Of patiiOtis, II
has a glory peculiar and altogether its own The mer-
enary armies which have swept yictoTOusy over the
world ana gathered 20 many OF the laurels that
history has embalmed were but machines, drafted into
the service of ambitious spirits, whom they Obeyed
and little understood appreciated the problems their
blood was bOured ont 10 solve.
But while you have oil the dauntlees physical
courage which they displayed, You add TO- II a
4 g a.. obi
mighty movement proceeds, and a moral heroism,
which, breaking away from the entangements Of
kindred and friends and State policy, enables you 10
follow your convictions Of duty, even though they
should lead you up TO the lannon's mouth. IL must,
ever be added that with this elevation OF position
corresponding responsibilities Solders as you arc by
conviction the country looks not TO your officers, chly
aric aud slul they may be- but To you aud each Of
you for the safety of those vast national interests COM
United to the fortunes Of this war; Your camp life
will expose you 10 many temptations; you should re-
sist them you would rfsist tho advancing squadrons
of the enemy. Ia every hour Of peril Of Indictment
TO excess, You viii cay 60 yourselves " Our country
sees us and act TO stand forth sOldiers, not only
without fear but also without reproach each moment,
not absorbed by the tolls aud duties Of your military
life should, as far as practicable, be devoted to tat
mental and moral training, without which the noblesl
of volunteers must sink to level with an army OF
merccnIries.
Alike IN the inaction Of the camp amid the fatigues
of the march, and the charge and shouts OF battle, You
will remember that you have in your keeping, not only
your own personal reputation, but the honor OF oar
native State, and, what is infinitely more inspiring,
tic honor Of that blood-bought and benolcent Republic
whose children youae. Any irregulary on your part
would sadden the Land that loves YOU any ialtenng
in tie presence Of the foe would cover il with i'm
measurble humiliation. You will soon minge ia the
ranks with the gallant volunteers from the North ana
West and with me you will admire their moderation,
heir admirable discipline, aud that deep determine.
ton whose earpestses with item has no language Of
menace or bluster or passion. When the men IRON
Tho q 4 ID UftAl In ia