Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-10-09
Speech OF EEon. L. p. Harvey.

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On receiving the nomination for Gov
elror by the Union Convention Mr.. HAIR
YrY made the following speech
1Nr. President and Gentlemen Of the
Convention A year ago a convention
Ike this would have been a strange meet
iug-lhe circumstances under which |
appear before. you would have seemed
unnatural. I see around me men whose
lives lave lecn passed in opposing Iar-
ties-urging AMI defending antagoristic
policies. To-day the barriers Of prGu-
dice and habit are broken down, and
You come together with one mind and
one heart. This is neither strange nor
unnatural, for sense of common dan
ger has united us for mutual defence.
Tie election of Lincoln WAS tie $40
nal for lifting the curtain from before
long coutriycd and carefully maturcd plot
1ur the destruction Of the Government.
BY the light which recent events have
thrown upon the scene, we detect that
our fellow citizens-men with whom we
tratornized perhaps as rartizans-or as
sociated friends, or even embraced in
more intimate social and domestic rela-
tions-aye, that men upon whom by the
willing suffrage of many of lis the high
est trusts Of government had been de-
VOWED, bad long been laboring in secret
To disarm the plumber its
treasures and prepare in every possible.
way for the success Of a conspiracy which
aimed at its complete and final over
throw.
I can understand how this recogniioI
las come more slowly to some of us tbat
II others. Differences Of mental consti
tution-and modes of thought-and
more, old habits and associations are sc
potent in shaping mems convictions
Though we may all revolt with equal
promptness at crime in the abst ract, we
are ever less ready to meet it with iusi'
aversion in the person of n neiehbor, or
the face Of one in whom we have long
conided as friend. But | take it this
treason is now universally understood
and the traitors recognized in all the
enormity Of their guilt.
The North has poured out her treas
ures and sent forth her men without stint,
to put down this rebellion. This has
not been the work of one party; but Of
the whole people. There is no party in
the lines of the grand army standing
guard along the Potomac for the defence
of the Capital-for the protection Of the
persons of our rulers, and of the ar
chives of the government. Oyer against
them are cncampcd an army of more
,han n hundred thousand traitors. IT,
SigLt Of the Capitol faunts the hag Of
d;sun;on. There IS no larty feeling in
the sense Of this insult, nor il, realization
"f tie danger. There Is no parry feel
ing in lhe heart warnings which follow
relatives and friends in the ranks Of our
brave armies. There is 10 party feeling
in the anxiety which waits-our very
souls listening intently-for news of the
movements Of tie two armies, collision
between whom may ut any time deter
mine the destiny of the Republic.
Just in this hour Of national peril, and
Of fearful anxiety, it happens that cleo
tons of State officers occur in several 4
the loyal States. Shall candidates be
presented for these through the iespec.
tive political organizations hitherto div.
ding Us, and their claims urged will
more or less of reference to political d f.
ferenccs ! Or will the people transfer
these offices, by common consent, with g
little distraction of public attention II,
possible These are questions which
our circumstances suggest. Your Con
Nention meets with the object of affirm
ing the latter. If we 90 into party
canvass, it is no: evident the issues which
will divide us must appear unworthy the
crisis. Nominate Republican candidates
by party convention, on party grounds
and the watchword of the supporters o
such ticket must be. ave told vol
so =! Now come and help us put down
the rebellion" TIE reply of their oppo
nents would naturally be. I'VE told vol
so Now come and help us defend tn,
Government your folly has put in peril =
The effect must certainly be to distrac
and divide US at the North, and to plan
broadcast the seeds of opposition to til,
Administration in the conduct of tn,
war.
A union of parties upon ticket Q
loyal men, which may command tn
votes of the loyal men of the State. an
pears TO be the teaching of proprety IN
der the circumstances in which we ar
placed, and TO be demanded by publ
sentiment. Other loyal States have Sc
us the example. An election without
eanvass-the support of united peopl
accorded to the Administration, upoI
which rests the responsibility of conduc
ting this war for us-are the happy re
suits promised by this course.