Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-04-09

I laws. w lstl hlu DOuSistS lltClA llADlIOSS
| How did Breckenridge stand? If there
is Bell, Breckenridge, or Douglas mar
! present, let me ask him for a sincere anC
frank confession of his doubts under the
unprecedented aspect of things, as pre-
sented in the disunited ranks of all par
ties at this period. | was BreckinridgC
Democrat. You remember / made {
speech on Broad street. | did not take
ultra grounds: many of my friends were
displeased. Ny belief was that Breckin
ridge was a more eligible man than Bell
that, from his well known position in the
eyes of the nation, he could defeat and
put down secession. IIewas, consequent
", stronger man in the South than
Douglas, while it was agreed that Doug
las was stronger at the North. We had
reason to hope that combination of THEN
strength would overthrow Lincoln.
took the ground, notwithstanding, that
should Mr.. Bell be elected, the country
would be reconciled. The election pass.
ed by, and Mr.. Lincoln was chosen to fill
the Presidency. l resolved to acquiesce
in the election of Mr.. Lincoln. If his adj
ministration should prove good and sat
isfactory, there would be no need of dis
satisfaction; if bad, disparaging to any
part of the Government, turn him out
this would be our remedy, and the most
effectual. / was not for breaking up this
Government because forsooth, the aims
of any set of politicians had miscarried.-
If we are to have revolution upon such a
pitiful pretext, what stability of Govern
ment do we possess? To yield to the dis
pleasure of a certain set or party so far rs
to partition political structure of such
granduer as ours, would be to follow in
the footsteps of distracted Mexico. told
my countrymen to give Lincoln a fair
chance; If he sought 10 invade their
rights, or compress their freedom, elect
another-the ballot-box and not the sword
was the instrument to WELD.
In the support of Breckenridge for the
Presidency, had labored through a IA
the unpleaSantness of travel, and the ex-
haustiOn of defamation. | was enlisted
in his fortunes for the sake of my country.
| believed him to be the safest for the
crisis; and l can produce evidences from
many sources to justify the belief
Threats were boldly made to destroy the
country, if Breckenridge was not elected.
To avoid the calamity, l would make the
sacrifice of my health-nay, my life, my
all
Bell men, how can you justify yourselves
for the part you are enacting in this bloody
drama? Let me ask Douglas supporters,
how could you go off into the Disunion
camp? / was a witness of the reign of
terror which followed the defeat of Bell,
Breckenridge and Douglas, and when the
election was over, | repaired to Washing
ton. 1t was there that Breckenridge
showed the cloven foot. South Carolina
was basely and adroitly attempting to dis
solve the Union. | saw Breckenridge, and
conversed with him; told him the peo-
pie were all disappointed that we had
been caught in a snap; Secessionists
would break up the Union. Said he:
=" Would you coerce a State" | replied:
~ 1t is our duty to save the Government"
'Will you coerce," he demanded. Don't
are obligated to sustain the laws when
they should be enforced. If
South Carolina would defy the power of
the Government, and attemp to extend
the detection TO other States, duty COM
pels us TO assert the majesty of the law,
and enforce its provisions Whether it
it is to operate upon one man or State,
enforce the law. If the Government does
not possess the power to protect its laws
from wanton violation, it is no Govern
ment at all The first thing impressed
upon my mind when a boy, was the sa-
the inViolableness of my coun-
try's laws. The soul of liberty is the love
of law. If this be so, and you have no
to enforce it, you have no law to
protect the weak and defy the strong.
What rights have been wrested from
you? Has your family been interfered
with What does it amount to? Remem-
ber that families make communities, COM
make counties, and counties
make States. Preserve the whole; care
fully guard its important unity. Com
nit no encroachments upon its interests,
lest the fabric tumble, ike a rope of sand,
INTO ruin.
Ny interview with Breckinridge-itw was
ike an iceberg in my bosom. To Mr..
l said, sir, your strength
las failed to satisfy the country. Said |
le, g 1 am disappointed in my calcula-
ions; firmly believed myself capable of
,arrying the Border States" Are |
rou willing to disunite the States be-
:ause of Mr.. Lincoln's success, and be
,ause discontented South Carolina agi- |
ates the subject? To this question Breck-
nridge replied in Gd eaptand,m slang
lbout subjugation and the horrors of a civ
l conflict, convincing me that he had |
gone into the arms of disunion. We sep
lrated. l turned back on him and said, |
You deceived me, then, that was your
ault; but when you deceive me again,
t will be mine Laughter.
Let me ask Bell, Breckenridge and
Douglas men what was left for them to
10? There was but one duty unperform-
ID. What rights have you not been
in? | entreated them to be
now to come forward as a band
# brothers, gather around the altar of
'ur country, with the Constitution, and
wear that all shall sink, but preserve
he Government.
In returning to my native State, offer
he olive branch in one hand and the Con-
titution in the other. With and for it, l
lave come to perish, if needs be; to pour
'ut my blood free libation for its pres
ryation. The Federal Government is
made responsible for this war by the men
vho have entailed its horrors upon the
OunITy Dy crying out lnaI Inelr PRETEND
d rights are gone. Let us forget all pref
Idices, and sec the question as it is.
The Slavery question is a mere pretext
or the present state of the country
Knowing that fifteen States are interested
n the institution, the ambitious and dis
ppointed partisans of the South have
hought by this means to irritate the peo-
lie, and promote their own selfish machi-
iations.
In 1882 there was an effort to disunite
he Government. What pledge have l
yer made and not fulflled-what obliga-
ions have broke, that | deserve to be
denounced and prosecuted? 1t is you,
7hohave countenanced this rebellion that
re in the wrong. | merit not your anger
Or lifting my voice for the perpetuity of
ur Government. | have not deserted
he old principles that underlie our Con-
titution. You are at fault. Il have nev-
r deviated from the beaten track.
In 1882 | remember to have read the
reclamation of President jackson; felt
~. l..