The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-07-09
SPEECH OF BENJAMIN WOOD.
OF NEW YORK,
OF NEW YORK
ON THE STATE OF -HE COUNTRY.

/ YIN 81 ~ ~ oE LII wv
Notwithstanding its length, we give to
our readers the following speech delivered
by Hon. Ben Wood of New York, in the
House Of the Lincoln Congress recently.
lie was formerly proprietor Of the New
York News. which was suppressed by Lin
coin because il stood boldly Tor the rights Of
the South under the Constitution. and oppo-
sed the war upon the Southern States. His
spirit is still unbroken. Soon after he de-
liyered the speech charges were preferred
against him OF disl0yalty, and we expect 70
hear Of his being in Fort Lafayette:
Mr.. Chairman, have hitherto avoided
troubling this House. Content to be lis
tener, wiihnut any other participation in its
proceedings than 10 oppose my solemn in
dwijual negative against measures which
my conscience and my principles would not
approve, have said nothing. Indeed. sir.
have not had the heart to rise here and
speak. A glance AZ this Hall. Of itself, has
been enungh 10 prevent. When lonk
around aud see one-third of the Union an
represented here. aud find myself in body,
though purpnrting 20 be oae branch of the
Congress ui The United States. really in fact
but fragmentary part Of i, my heart sinks
within me. Ii appears 10 be sectional bn-
dy-a gathering Of the representatives Of a
party. With these feelings. aud with this
spirit. have until now avoided participa-
ting in debate.
Besides. sr, during the earlier period Of
this session, disaster had accompanied The
Efforts OF the Federal arms. felt that The
hour Of defeat was not fit one in which to
he .at,l ,.f fh.. Meth
to thoughts bi peace ielt that something
was due 10 the sense Of modification. sune-
thing 10 the natural desire 10 retrieve ihe
shame Of discontinue. | hoped. t0o. that
when victory should perez, upon our ban
nrrs, Others than myself wouid seize the oc-
casion TO urge plea in behalf Of peaceable
measures; and that this government itself,
nerilng s~~--. .-l ~sssHS suUugn 10 De mag
nanimous. would take the lead and be the
pioneer in opening path for the settlement
OF our difficulties without further recourse TO
blssdshed. even hoped that the leaders Of
the dominant plrty, mnYrd by the sure dis
iress Ehith has visited our country. wnuld
relent from the stern rigor Of their d0cirine
Of subiugaiion, and. 10 the flush Of triumph.
would lean little towards 4 gcniler policy
| than that which they have hitherto champion
ed With 20 murh zeal anL with 50 little for
bearancc.
i 1 hoped in vain. The triumph came; a
long tain OF successes has relieved tie
/ North irnn us humiliation. The government
claims nov 10 stand a. rock against which
tie tempest ot opposition must waste iiseli
IN luiile efforts. The partizaus Of the ultrs
war party laugh TO scutn the idea that any
efieeiual resistance can be offered to the nn.
ward march Of their triumphant armies, and
vet no singc riluri has been made In thrs,
n Congressional Halls 10 STAY tile eliasinn y
blood. Il has been left Tor me, pnwerles.
as am. TO speak the lirSi caneiliatory wurd
in behalf Of my suffering countrymen. And
,lo IL. sir. in the hope that others mare ca
pahlr, will not be too much engrnsScd will
Tie lust u conquest aud the pride Of ,icto
~ 10 follow my example.
Sir, IL il au inehacrablc rrproach 20 tbps,
either deluded or wicked men WIN, IN III,
North, BY their Gnwearcd agitation nf abuli
tion s,hrme., have stirred the cmbcrs ai ili
sttife IL iHsn eternal reproach "a them that
through defeat aud victory, throughout eve
~ phase Of this unhappy struggle. with th,
i. graans nf their Distressed and tortured Coun
NN'N NhNN AAuhE
and still cling. with IMPLYING prrtinaciiy
aud even with feroeily. TO tie doctrin
/. which has been the germ Of all the mischief
With the first exulting shouts Of Fedora
victories they setup the cchoing cry Of e
Emancipation. With all the energy d ianat
ieism, With all The subtle arts and intrigue
of seheming ,lemagogues. with all the sppli
ances Of canning, intellect, and pairOnag
at their command. even at this eyeniiu
crisis. when every American brain shnuld b
al work TO bring about a fair and honofabl
peace. they have no thought, no hope. no du
" but 20 propagate their creed, exteadin
q its influence into every nook aud Granny Z
!. Of the land, and poisoning the atmospher
2 uf these sacred halls with It's intermiaabl
' 'idiscussicn. Openly aud in secret, BY III
. agency of the press, the pulpit. aud The pc
liiicai rostrum, ia the caiup, in the city. an
. 10 the open field, they are spreading the esnts
gicn; they are innuculating the country wit