The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-10-25

The Hon. JOSEPH r. CHANDLER, Of
Philadelphia, presided at an immense
Union meeting in that city on Wednes-
day evening last. On taking the Chair
Mr.. CHANDLER said:
My FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS -
My presence here tonight cannot be a
matter of more astonishment 70 you than
il is to myself. Having arrived at good
old age, ! felt that il was time for me TO
withdraw from public life, and from the
loophole of my retreat, have looked out
upon the world and its government, upon
your actions as party men and no part,
men, and comforted myself with the be-
lief that | could be spared and could
pass away and be forgotten by those
among whom had so long been remem-
bered. But there are occasions when we
must sacrifice our own wishes to the
views of others and QUA humbIest servi-
ces are due when kind friends ask them.
The request that / should be present
tonight, 70 join in your deliberations,
was one that | could not decline.
| see around me, on all hands those
whom in former years | met in council
upon the affairs Of the party 10 which /
Belonged, and also as many Of those
against whom we then pitted ourselyee
In earnest combat, and whose zeal in
their cause evidenced the sincerity of
their belief in their principles. l come
among you this evening, after so long an
absence from the public deliberations of
my friends, not as a Wing, as you have
known me; not as q Democrat, as have
opposed some Of you; not as Repubh.
can, not as Peoples" man, not as an
anti-slavery man, or a pro-slavery man
these all are legitimate branches for diff
ferences of opinion in times when par
ties may be followed, but, in this emer-
gency, ! look beyond them to the great
trunk out Of which they all spring, and
proclaim myself simply a Union man
A friend of the Union, and of every
man of every creed and every cline who
is friendly and will defend the Union.
And ! say, clearly and distinctly. that if
| thought any principle less than this |
was to occupy the deliberations Of those
who are assembled here, / should feel
that / was not at home in presiding over |
such an assemblage at such a time.
Friends and fellow-citzens, my voice |
is not quite as strong as was twenty years !
ago, when some Of your fathers were
wont TO listen to me kindly and patiently; |
but my heart in this cause is as warmly, |
zee, warmer than ever il was in the party |
legitimate movements |
IF men who then mingled in the public |
Affairs of the country. l am not dis
posed to occupy your time, which may
be more proftably engaged in listening |
10 others who will address you upon the
great question of the day.
If had time and strength, would
like TO say a word upon the causes of the
and its remedy. The rebels of |
The South, now in arms, have manifested |
1 spirit Of union which would be worthy /
If all commentator in a better cause.
The North, trusting TO its numbers, its |
wealth, its greatness, and the justice Of
is cause, has had less of that union thae
was necessary to the perpetuation of the
Government; and one Of the objects Of |
his meeting is TO procure, as far as pos
Iible, the union of every honest heart and
very honest hand, at least in this city,
n that glorious work
As j have been told abroad, and as
you would understand If you were 70
ross the ocean, il was not our fifteen
millions Of acres within our
states and organized Territories or the
thirty millions of people that till those
acres, that commanded the respect Of
oreign nations, but il was the Union Of
States, the ion of parties, and the COM
non feelings Of our people wherever they
we're and however they were situated
From the moment il was Understood on
he other side of the water that there
gas danger of a dissolution Of the Union
hat moment with their fear persisted
heir respect for az, and Nyo arc now
pointed at with scorn by England, who
3 always friend when il serves her Ia
crest, and always foe, either secretly Or
'penly, 10 those whose existence imperil
ier wealth and standing.