The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-09-06
speech Of Hon. Daniel s. Dickinson,

/ Speech Of Hon. Daniel 8. Dickinson,
DELIVERED AT A UNION MEETING IN
TUNKnANNooK, WYOMING COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA, ON MONDAY, AU
GUST 10TH, 1861.
MIR. PRESIDENT AND LADIES AMI
GENTLEMEN: Amid all the diversity
Of sentiment in the land, there is one
subject upon which we can agree;
and that is, that our country is in a
most lamentable condition our gov
ernment threatened with disruption,
our Constitution with subversion,
and our institutions with overthrow.
We arc met here for the purpose OF
discussing ,he great interests of a
common country, and OF determining
what becomes us in an cxigency SO
trying and so fearful | meet you
here not to discuss slavery or anti
slavery. Though an old line Demo
crat, brought up at the feet of Ga
moliel, aid adhering with tcnacity to
the principles OF Democracy through
an active lie, yet | come not 10 you
to speak upon political partisan sub
jects. | come TO discuss a matter
that concerns our Union, one that
rises far aboyc and shoots deeper
than party interests or issues. We
have a duty, my fellow citizens. far
beyond that Of the fathers OF the Re-
volution. They were opposed by
tyranny, and they sought to thro W
off the shackles of dcspotic mon.
archy. They hoped that great free
government would spring up from
their patriotic efforts, bu. the most
sanguine never imagined that gov
ernment so rep,ete with good would
be the fruits Of their beginning -
What with them was hopo, with ns
is iruition. They planted, and we
reaped. Their experiment has be-
come great success, aud we are
enjoying, or might enjoy, such bless
iugs as Heaven never before vouch-
sa.ed to mortal man. But con-
spiracy has appeared; strife and di.
vision are at our doors; and it be.
comes us now to SEQ whether the
fruits OF this great and bcnetcent
Union must be lost or whether they
can he preserved. 1t were needless
To 20 back to review deal and buried
issues. There is Il great tact staring
us in the lace, and with that we have
to deal. 1t matters not whether the
origin OF our difiiculIieS was North
or South, or East an! West-the
question is, How shall it he dealt
with and disposed Of. In every gov
ernmont, aud especially in every free
government, political parties will
arise. Aud it is well that we hav,
them. So Tar from being II curse,
when restrained within legitimate
bounds they are a blcS~ing. The
strife OF political parties, like the
agitation of the natural elements,
puritics the moral atmosphere, and
gives lie, and vigor, and freedom to
our institutions. There are some
questions too great, some to small,
for the exercise If political parties;
and we have many duties to dis.
charge in the various relations of lite
th>t do not apper,nin to political
affairs. but which we should come
together and discharge, AS American
citizens, brethren OF one tie, ani not
inquiring whether we belong to this
or that or the other division Of pulit
ical paities. When We assemble
around tho grave OF neighbor. and
hear those words that have riven 81
many hearts, Earth to earth, dus,
to dust, ashes to ashes" and hear
the creaking ot the cord as the re
mains are lowered to their final rest
ing place, the striies OF passion are
hushed IN 'he bosom. and we remem'
Der only that we are men inquire
not what were the political views o
dead or living
At midnight you hear the cry o
tire!' You rush into the street
and find your neighbor's dwelling il
ilam,s. 1t is found that in the terro
OF the moment mother has left he
in'&nt in the chamber. The flames
h IS through every crevice, the raft
ors tremble, the cinders crumble, ant
another and another makes the at
tempt, till at last one is lost in III,
flames! Every eye.ball is strained
every heart palpitat@s, every breatl
is hushed, every muscle stands on
like whip cords. and all believe he i
lost, but finally he appears and re
stores the loved and lost to its swoon
ing mother, but no one enquiries t
wha: political party he belongs. =
When the citadel of our country i
in flames, when the edifice tina
Washington and Franklin and thei
associates erected, is in flames,
becomes us, whatever may have bee
our political proclvities before, t
rise far above all other considerations
and to keep this citadel from destruct
ion. [Chcers. | cannot afford t
turn away from my duty because
political opponent is acting with mt
nor to stay back from duty becaus
a political friend deserts me. No
must go on and discharge grer
dnty. hold il to be the first dut
Of every citizen, of every party to al
in restoring-if restored it can be-
this great and good government
Cheers, and cries Of "that's tru
ldoctrine ~ previoua IN tha laat N,