The national Republican., 1861-11-14

Col. JoHH CocHRANE's SPEECH YESTERDAY
Col. Cochrape's regiment. the U. S. ChasseurS
received their winter clothing, and at !
o'clock dressed in their new and handsome
uniform. they appeared on parade. and, after
the usual military formalities. were drawn up
in the form Of hollow square. near platform
erected for the purpose, and were address,
by Col. Cochraue, in presence of Mr.. Secretarl
Cameron, and other distinguished gentlemen :
as we shall publish the speech in ertenso to-
day, we shall now only notice his views upon
the treatment Of slaves, during the present
contest
He assumed this was a war for the preserva
ton Of our national exstence-s war of self
defence, forced upon us by the South. aud tn Al
1t was our duty 70 use every means 10 on,
power TO crush the rebellion and thereby saw
our country from destruction. To do this. VT
had right to confscate the property Of th'
rebels-to seize their cotton and sell it or burr
it, as we pleased-to break up their railroads
to seize their arms and munitions of war, ant
to take their lives; and as their slaves wer.
now seen to be an important element of their
possession Of them. and, when necessary, pu
arms in their hands. that they might assist in
fighting this battle for freedom. and for maintain
ing their rights to common humanity and that
any General or other officer who failed or re-
fused to do this, was as unfit for the service a.
he who should decline to explode mine which
had been prepared for the destruction of his
army.
Up to the utterance Of this bold and noble
sentiment. the soldiers stood at ease. without
making any Demonstration; but as soon as they
caught his idea. which so fully accorded with
their own, they burst forth into a most rap
turous applause, and every sentence the Colonel
uttered in vindicaton of this doctrine, they
warmly aHplauded.
The Colonel said this was not Abolitionism.
but that the freedom of the slaves had become
military necessity and that it wss our right
and duty to make the best possible use Of
them, that the great power Of the rebels nigh,
be destroyed, and thus bring the war to a
speedy and successful termination.
At the close of Col. Cochrane's speecb,
and az soon as the enthusiasm which It had
created, sufficiently abated, the regiment
called for the Secretary. of War, who promptly
stepped forward, and in a brave and manly
little speech, said he heartily endorsed everlj
mord Col. Cochrane had uttered. and as though
be was desrous that his position on this sub
Ject might be fully and unmistakaby under
stood, he repeated, that the sentiments put
forth by the Colonel were bis own, and that he
was happy to hear them.
This declaration, certainly unexpected, was
hailed with tremendous cheers and as the Sc ere
tary descended from the platform the regimen
gave three hearty cheers for the Secretary o
War. and three more for their gallant com
mander.
We have only room to tender our thanks T.
Colonel Cochrane for his noble and patriot
speech, which but echoes the sentiments of tb
people and the army, and to the Secretary q
War for his public adoption of these sentiments
which is worth more to the cause than gran
and victorious battle.