The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-08-22
A. H. Thrasher's Speech at the War
Meeting in Munson, Wednesday Even.
ing, Aug. 18th 1852

MR. CHAIRMAN Extraordinary circum- /
stances have called us together TO night.
Events mighty and portcntous, III which
we have the deepest interest, are daily and
hourly transpiring. The time has arrived
which was predicted as possible by Wssh-
ington aud his compatriOts, when ono por"
tion of this country is arrayed in arms
against another. This CONFUSION could
have been just ns certainly forotold in the
moral aud political world. with the known,
existing elements, by the philosopher and
statesman, as, in tho physical an eclipse OF
the sun or moon could be predicted by :he
astronomer; for it is just as absolutely i'm
possible for wrong to exist with right in the
moral world. without a conyulsion, as II is,
in tho material, for the planets in their
courses to come in contact, without disturb
ing tho harmony of tho system. The UNI
verse moral and physical, is governed by
general laws, and, whenever an element OF
discord is introduced, it will, ii is sure, late
or soon, to produce its visible and material
effects. Tho institutions, civil aud social in
tho Southern part of this Republic, are so
diverse. So essentially different from those
Of the North, that they never could be har-
manzod aud made to exist together Tor any
considerable length of timo, in peace. Can
fire and water DO made to exist together !:
Can tho natural body be sick aud iCeH at tho
same tmo? No! You say these things arc
impossible. / say unto you it is equally
impossible for human slavery to exist pcacoa-
bly, in company with human freedom. This
conflict no more depends upon tho discuss
ions or agitatiOus of nbolitiOuists, $50
called,) than tho eclipse Of the sun depends
upon calculations of the astronomer. They
exist by yirtuo of the immutab!o laws of 10.
hovah and it is because those laws arc i'm
mutablo that these very conflicts arise.
1t tho laws were to change and accomodate
themselves to all tho varying circumstances
of tho subjects they were intended to gov
ern there would bU no discord, there could
bu mono.
look upon this Rebellion as ono of tho
most conclusive evidences that God rules
in the armies of Heaven, and among tho in.
habitants of the earth" Had not Slavery,
with all its awful wick kedness, produced just
such u convusion as it has, wo might we'll
dis,rust that there is a supor-rulng Provi-
donco over the affairs of men. Mon reared
in and accustomed to this institution, be.
como so perverted and changed in all their
social aud moral habits, feelings, appe:ites,
and very natures, that they cannot dwell in
harmony with men reared in tho pnro at
mosphero of unalOycd freedom. This in
stitutOn strongly tends to promote barbar-
ism, and it grows with its growth, and
stroDg thens with its strength, until it be-
comes so str ong and intensified that it can
contain itself no longer; then war, blood
and carnage arc tho legitimate consequences.
This is tho deadly foo and savage monster
VIC now have TO contend with.
There iS now Iagng in our midst, civil
\ lriF Ia Il th,,p
ever before existed upon the faco Of this
earth. History, ancient and modern, fur.
nishes no parallel A civil war, waged with
| the most relentless cruelty for the most un.
godIy and wicked purposes Rebellion,
/ instituted by traitors, to overthrow tho fair.
est and mildest Government that tho sun
over shono upon, and to establish in its
stead Government founded on principles
at which hell itself would shuddor
Such war, prosecuted by such men, and
for such purpose, is upon us. Now, my
countrymen, what shall DO done: What il
our duty in the premises ? What say you
Shall we not lay aside all party feelings anC
divisions hero, aud mako use of ever,
means within our power to crush out anC
put down this infinitely uuholy Rebellion
Our cOuutry calls for men and means
Shall We not at onco respond, and strength
on her with every man required, and every
!, dollar wo possess, If necessary What say
you Suppose the Rebols prevail. what
then are our riches worth to US Ii will
take all to pay for tho war and satisfy
them. II We now sond forth our men, and
contribute our means, (uf which we have
abundance and put down tho Rebellion
the costs will then be paid by tho Rebels
so that, in tOct, il is not only our duty to dc
all VIC can to save our Government, but il
is a matter of economy as we'll.
Now is the dark hour. Now is tho time
for every patriot to aid his country, anC
now ia tho time for us, ono and all, TO pu
, our shoulders to the wheel, aud give such
gigantic boost ns would hurl tho car of jug
= gornaut over every traitor in tho land
U Let us demand, III tones of thunder, tha
s tho officers of the Government tako the
d gloves of, and hereafter handle these Rot
s els without mi:tcns applause that,
,. necessary, overy slave shall be nrUGd to th
q teeth, [applnuso, and that, wherever on
n armies pass in Rebcldom, instead of guarC
ing tho country shall DO lott blackGne
}; waste, and every traitor CXtorminuted iroI
tho land. Applause l am happy to b
e ublo to say that the policy of conductin
c this war has been entirely changed. \
G more Rebel property is to DO guarded. n
e more precious lives arc to DO sacrificed
prOptiale traitors. Wo now have 4
U grounds of complaint against tho Govorl
} mont or tho officers in the field, aud v
ought to DO extremely cautious how v
complain OF our Generals, aud criticize the
conduct. THIS helps mono save tho Rcbo
:, These complaints arc very natural and easi
20 made. On looking into history, it will
oi found that they existed literally, during Il
Ut Revolution that the Same were constant
made against Washington throughout
10 military career Let us remember the
re things, and not DO too hasty to consuro o
ts Generals tor slight oauses,o upon uncertu
=, information. Instead of complaints.
" US remember that gigantic aud wick
Rebellion lhroatens the very existence
W our Government that our brothers, o
r friends, our relatives and HcquantanC
al upon tho battle. field, weakened by cxcessi
le toll and disease, are calling Tor holp, and tn
el nHst and shaHh 1t. Applause.
Of ----~--.~---------~.---
NAPOLEON ON CoNsCRIPTIoN.--Said N
N poleon one day in the Council of State,