The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-07-31
SREECH OF COL. JOHN W. F0RNEY.

Delivered IN the union COnVCn-
ton, ut Harrisburg, on Thurs
day, the 18th of July, instant.
in support of the Resolutions
adopted on that Occasion.
Mr.. PRESIDENT: The resolutions which
have just been read comprise, in brief
terms, the duty of the loyal men of Penn
sylvania, and they will 60 to the country
as an utterance that must produce health
full consequences. There are elements in
this assemblage which have never been
country's issue. We have here represen-
tatives of the Republican party, the Peo-
pies party, the American party, and of
the loyal men of the Democratic party
[ notice that at least twenty counties of
the State have sent Democratic delegates
to this Convention. The heavy gloom
which seems again to have settled upon
our unhappy country has had the effect of
extinguishing many dissensions. Men
who have differed radically in former years,
now stand together like a band of broth
ers. But one motive animates this splen-
did organization-that of devotion to
country and determination to maintain
the Union. There is no spectacle, says a
great poet, more Inspiring than brave
nlan struggling with danger, and can there
be any spectacle more inspiring than a
great people struggling with their enc
mics The fend, slavery, which is the
beginning of all our troubles, in tearing
itself from the Republic, seems determi-
ned to tear the vitals of the Republic away
with it. For however men may differ,
Mr.. President this is not merely stIug-
gle for our existence as free people, but
it is struggle between liberty and sla-
very All other issues have subsided
before this issue. Slavery, in beginning
the war, to perpetuate itself, has laid
strong hand upon our free institutions,
and is resolved, failing itself, to bury them
ia one common ruin. Those only deny it
who themselves pray for the success of
the rebellion, and those only believe what
[ have said who earnestly pray for the
triumph of the Union arms. And it is a
fact we'll calculated to agonize the soul,
that bitter and dreadful as has been the
general suffering in this extraordinary
strife, notwithstanding thousands of homes
are covered with mourning, although tor
rents of tears are Shed over the freshly
heaped graves of those who have fallen in
defence of our flag, yet all these terrible
lessons produce no Impression upon many
who live among and around us. These
men see their country bleeding at every
pore, and have no word of hope or COM
fort to give her. While we, forgetting
all old antagonisms and parties, while We
throw off the cloaks of former organiza-
tons and reveal ourselves only in the garb
of patriotism, they clothe themselves with
all the hatred and rancor and uncharita-
bleness for which they have been so dis
tinguished before, and prepare to strike
at the country, if not In the name, at least
in the name of the doctrines. of that can
didate for the presidency who less than
two years ago marshaled the hosts of dis
union at the ballot-box. and now leads an
army of traitors in the battle field.
If, Mr.. President, slavery is the cause of
this great crusade upon human liberty, its
Immediate agents and ministers confess by
all their acts that they are fully conscious
of the truth of this assertion. They have
pursued the fell purpose which has now
ripened into war with persistence which
can only De eA pidlheu ny their ciOSe sy Iu-
pathy with the rebellion itself, and their
sincere hatred of the government of the
United States. Calling themselves Dem
ocrats, they are banded together in favor
Of slavery and aristocracy. Let me take
prominent example of the school the
old man who lives in neglected solitude
within an hour and half S ride of the
capital of Pennsylvania. He is now be-
yond the Psalmist's age. He entered the
Presidential chair more than five years
ago, with as fair an opportunity to serve
and save this country as ever had been
presented to man. He was elected upon
distinct and voluntary pledge that he
would give to the people of the unhappy
territory of Kansas the right to dispose of
their own affairs in their own way. Had
he been true to this pledge, we should
have had neither secession nor bloodshed
The history o. his unparalleled treachery
is written In carnage and in shame. 1t
ought to be supposed that now looking
over this history, he would seize the occa-
sion to expiate his mighty crime by some
manifestation of public penitence. 1t
might be supposed that now, in his old
age, he would secure the favor and for
giveness of Heaven by appealing to those
he still controls to rally to the common
defence and to shun his fatal example
But no, gentlemen so far from this, the
animating soul Of the rebellion in the