The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-09-26
Speech of Hon. Joseph Holt in New Y ork.


The following is the speech delivered
by Hon. Joseph Holt, the noblest pat.
riot of Kentucky, at the reception given
him in New York Tuesday evening
under the auspices of the Chamber of
Commerce: Ly >ss. .ls.-s.., b.taf
IL has been only at the solicitation of
the distinguished gentlemen from the
Chamber of Commerce that have pre-
sented myself before you tonight, and
it was with a distinct understanding on
nv part that 1 should not irfiict upon
you a studied political harangue, or to
elaborate upon those topics which oc-
cupy to SO great an extent the minds of
the loyal men of New York-fully
alive as they are to the stern duty which
has been imposed upon us all. These
duties are too well understood by your
selves to make it necessary for any re-
iteration from me. A few points, how
ever, / will submit somewhat in con-
nection with the journey / have recent
ly made through several loyal States.
I have everywhere found the most
healthful and encouraging condition of
public sentiment with reference to the
prosecution of this war. Applause.
| have nowhere found any feeling of
exasperation against the people of the
South. Applause. 1 believe that
there is nothing but, at every point, a
solemn determination TO uphold this
Government, connected with lofty
patriotism and earnest feeling which l
should in vain endeavor to describe.
Applause. Some brave men, in speak
ing to me, have even wept in my pres
ence, and have honored them for it.
For, ifca brave man may not weep for
the ruin of such Government, and of
such country as this, where is there
a catastrophe that can touch his heart ?
4 Applause. II find everywhere the
same feeling, that this is not war upon
the Southern peopleA[applause] but
war for their defense and for their de-
Iiverence. [Cries, Of :" that's it," and
applause.1 = If We, intended a war
against them we might lay. our faces in
the dust and confess that our glorious
institutions are failure. Applause.
No; it is war against a band of, con-
spirators, who have opposed the Gov
ernment and would destroy the country
who would allow no obstacle to inter-
fere with their selfish ambition. Zap
plause.] / The public mind no longer
occupies itself as to the discussion Of
the cause Of the war. It no longe,
argues as to the logical misconceptions
or the monstrosities of the doctrine o.
secession. We now know well what
secession was intended to accomplish
We know too well what it has accom-
plished, and we no more think of ques
tioning its reasonable character thar
| we think of enlisting in the cause o
Judas Iscariot, or showing that it wa.
one of base treachery. / IApplause.
The providence OF God, and the mos
sacred compact of man, have made u
one people. Applause. The experi
ence OF three-quarters OF century has
demonstrated that in this unity of Gov
eminent the people secure at once pros
perity and happiness. Applause. aa
The dismemberment of these State,
would cause the miserable fragments te
to become tossed on the bloody sea o
revolution and desolation, to becom,
! the property of the spoiler, and utterT,
destroy the last hope that belongs to us
Applause. Equally is the public
mind fixed in regard to the Importance
of this war. 1t is not'a war of con
quest. or of aggression, or OF su6juga
tlon, or of passion or revenge; but !!
every light in which it can be regarded
it is war of duty. [Applause. Th'
struggle is undoubtedly a struggle TO
ilNational existence, and 80 holy in 81
!, its purposes and its spirit, that the fiocl
] and the psstor-those who worshi,
around the shrine, or at the altar, MAJ
contribute of their blood and treasure
and follow out their duty as Christians
A. - II