The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-10-17

The Speech of Mr.. Hamilton of Tex
as-HOw the War was Brought
About, &c.
The address of ANDREW JACKSON HAM
1roN, of Texas, in Brooklyn last Friday
evening is full of thrilling interest. He is
fresh from the scenes of secession, and
pourtrays them with power that comes
from the heart It fairly makes ones
blood run cold to read from an unques-
tionable source that full 200 men have
been hung in that State, on account of
their supposed sympathy with the Union.
And yet he tells US such was the fact
First, however, he explains the secret
principles upon which the war was start
ed. We take few extracts from his
speech:
have heard the echoes of those senti-
ments in the streets, in the hotels, in the
parlors and at the festive board Men
who, two years ago, were regarded as 10y
al, are heard now saying, "Well, Repub-
licanism is failure We are really aston
ished at ourselves for ever thinking that it
could succeed. We now realize the fact
that we must have a stronger government. :"
If you knew all this as do, you would feel
that there was something more involved in
this revolution than the simple desire to
get rid of the hated Yankee. 1t was not
because the men who inaugurated it hated
the people of the North, it was not because
many of you differed with them in Opin-
ion, but it was a deliberate purpose on
their part to be the controlling spirits OF a
new and different order Of government,
where their power would be perpetual,
and where they would not be subject to
the chances of free choice of free peO-
! pie, in recurring elections, as had been the
case; and he that does not realize that
fact to-day does not yet understand what
this revolution means and in consequence.
the man who fiatters himself that by con-
ciliatory measures, by kind words, gentle
dealings and peace offerings you can cause
the rebellious and dislOyal States to resume
their original position in the confederation
of the United States, is most wonderfully
mistaken and deceived. cloud applause
1t never can nor will happen in this way.
There is but one remedy, and that is to be
found only in the physical power of the
loyal people supporting the government.
The result of this was that not one
third vote was cast in many of the States.
In many other cases, where a majority OF
votes were cast, they took it as the opinion
of the whole State. 1t is now known that
in Louisiana the majority OF votes were
cast against secession, but without effect.
In another State it was announced publicly
that every vote would be openly pOlled, so
that everybody should know who were and
who were not in favor of the rotten, sink
ing, old concern of Abe Lincoln. All!
fellow-c citizens, every nan should have
gone up to the polls then, and have de-
clared his views, and have got his fellow
citizens to join and to fight with them in so
noble a manifestation. But most of us
like to read of and admire the deeds and
sufferings OF martyrs rather than to be-
come one of the number-Q laughter and
applause land even if were emulOus Of
becoming martyr myself, l would rather
fall in some other mode than by a rough
rope around my neck, at the dead Of
night, in a lonely prairie, and left king
where the raven alone would pass and flap
| his funereal wings.
If man can go forward in the bright
blaze of day, where there are thousands to
see and admire him, and extol his courage
to meet death in defence of his country, or
in obedience to his conscience, there is
something sublime and inspiring in his
fate. But the other process is not very in
viting You may ask if these things have
happened. l say, aye, they have happen
ed they are happening now and they
will continue to happen until the last free
spirit is compelled to flee from the South,
| or until this government can relieve them.
| cloud applause.) The practice common
ced before secession was announced. In
my own State it commenced during the
political Presidential canvass, when Abra
ham Lincoln was chosen President by the
American people.
did not witness any of these excuses
myself, because had not the honor to be-
long to any secret societies, to any vigil
ance COMMITTEES, or to any orders of the K.
e. @. Naughter) /, therefore do not
speak from my own personal observation,
but from the statements Of the actors
themselves, from their own letters, pub
lished by their consent, with their own
names attached to them in public journals;
and by this testimony there were not less
than 200 men who thus persisted in Texas,
because they were suspected ofloving their
children more than their neighbors ne
groes. If thus it be true that slavery is
the cause of this rebellion; if the object of
the shareholders be distrust of leaving
power in the hands of the nonslaveholders;
if the danger of slavery was so great as to
justify them in their devotion to the ms
titution to destroy the United States, then
say that have changed my views in re-
gard to that institution, and have sundered
my allegiance, if ever had any, to slave
ry. cloud and continued applause.)
+
He gave an account of the perils atten-
ding his escape, and of the well-nigh i'm
possibility of the UuiOn men of Texas ever