Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-12-04
GEN. JIM. LANE an SPRINGFIELD.
lie Defines his Position, and that
of the Kansas Brigade, ola the
War and Slavery.
rFrom tho st. Louis Democrat, lSth.1


ment, under the command Of Lieutenant
Colonel Garyin, appeared ut the headquar-
ters of General Lane, and the regimental
band discoursed the best martial and other
music. Most of the Kansas Brigade gath
cred around the Indiana regiment, and
joined with them in calls for Lane, who
appeared in his plain citizens dress, in
front Of his quarters. Again the welkin re-
sounded with cheers, and huzzas, as the
sound of some two or three thousand or
more voices was borne off on the breeze
The General responded as follows:
GENrLEMEN AND FELLOW CITIZENS -
The reception of this compliment was as
far from my expeditions as from my
deserts. am well aware that these
demonstrations are not intended so much
for ne as for the Kansas Brigade; YET |
should be the first to appreciate and ac-
knowledge any hono1s that may come
from the noble State of Indiana, Can
forget Indiana? Never TCheers. "If
| forget thee let my right hand forget her
cunning" 1t was the place Of my birth
and is the place Of my mothers grave
Indiana has given me Legislative, executive
military and congressional honors. She
has nursed me as fond mother brings up
her chilcsand let my heart grow cold,
and my tongue cleaye to the roof of my
mouth, when cease to be Or teful, or fail
to speak we'll Of my henefactors. Loud
Cheers But the bone Of my adoption
and tolls and strife is Kansas. She was
a prairie waste when first | set foot on her
soil, but through desperate odds she has
fought her way up into the sisterhood Of
States, and already her little army has be-
come famous throughout the nation for its
bravery and patriotism, For Kansas have
| wrestled as wrestles the mother when
she brings forth her first born into the
world. laundering Cheers. Indiana,
as a part, Of the past is eushrined in my
heart. Kansas, as my home, and as the
living present, absorbs my thoughts and
sways my destiny. Once | obeyel the
voice of Indiana, and honored her; now |
90 at the bidding Of Kansas, and love
her Loud Cheering But, gentlemen,
am proud and happy to see the two SIS
ters of our glorious Union striking hands
with each other on the soil of rebelious
Missouri determined that our united blows
shall crush out this mcst causeless and
wicked rebellion, and preserve the national
hermitage left us by our fathers.
Gentlemen: shall not conceal the fact
that in ono respect | differ from some Of
my compeers in command as to the mode
of warfare which is best calculated to bring
this wretched contest TO speedy, durable
and honorable close. The point Of differ
ence refers, CT course, to slavery-the cause
of all differences-the Pandora's box from
which has issued all our national troubles.
NV creed is, let slaoery take care Of itself.
fit can survive the shock Of war, let it
live, but if between an upper and neither
milestone it be ground 10 powder and the
winds drive it away, it is not for me TO
gather up the dust again. do not pro-
pose to make war upon slavery, but upon
rebels, and in the meantime to let slaves
and slavery take care Of themselves, An
oligarehy more cruelty pfoscriptiyethan ever
scourged and cursed a nation, ancient or
modern, has brought OH this warrior slave
~, and if we are required to protect, defend
or in any way help slavery, then we are
required to cooperate with the enemy to
heip him, and t. work for the same end.
Can we place ourselves thus in alliance with
our deadly and barbarous foes, and at the
same time conquer them, subdue them,
crush them! When lesser contradictions
are reconciled, we will think of harmoni-
zing this.
NANar at best, is a terrible calamity to
nation. In all fife country through which
we haze passed., the mails are stopped,
schools are suspended, churches are turned
into hospitals for the sick and wounded,
and general Generalization prevails. Pro-
tract the war one yearand desolation. NOR
Al and material, alone would mark the
track of armies. Justice, humanity and
mercy require that the conflict should ter
inmate as soon as possible, and with the
least practicable shedd NJ of blood.
Astounding as it may appear to you,
gentlemen from Indiana, yet it Is tactwe
have repeatedly demonstrated, that heav-
Ter blow is dealt out to the realm ofsecessia
in the abduction or freedom Of slave than
the killing Of soldier in arms. Yes and
may put the truth in i stronger llsht
STILL 4bduct from the same family stare
and XIII IL arms son, and NE loss Of the
slave will be regarded as tae greater mas
fortuae-thc calamity for aohich there Is no
healing balm. could bring up more
than d thousand witnesses whose obserFa-
ton and experience qualify them to speak
of the truth Of my remarks.
If then by allowing the slave 70 fall into
tha wake of the army and find thepriceless
boon Of freedom, weayoid bloodshed, save
property from destruction, and stlike death
dealing blows upon Inc head and front Of
his rebellion, docs not every consideration
that Is good and Just require that this pol
lev be adonsedl This Var IS for slavery
let us make it the mighty engine for slave
~, destruction, aud tie rebels will soon
cry enough. They viii see that, like Sa-
turn il the fable. they are eating up their
own children, and will consent to cut short
tba renast. Every guarantee that IS gwen