Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-08-30
SPEECH OF GEN. JOHN c. FREMONT
DELIvEREDi AT FREMONT TEMPLE, BosroN, THURSDAY
EvENfSG, AUGUST %, 1861

DELIvEREDi AT FREMONT TEMPLE, BosroN, THURSDAY
EvENfSG AUGUST %, 1867.
feel deeply the honor of having been asked
to appear before you. 1 am gratified that you
think can say anything which will aid in the
object of these meetings. But | trust that
this object, so far as it relates to the enroll
ment of the volunteers required, has already
been attained. The events of the last few
weeks have made so apparent the necessity
for immediate reinforcementS, that | hope
nothing else has been needed to procure a
prompt response to the call of the government,
than that mute but strong appeal of your
friends in the field, who, to-day, constitute
our bulwark against the surges of rebellion
The chances of war do not admit of delays.
The enemy is pushing it forward with renewed
vlgor' and the loss of few weeks, or even a
few days. may involve disasters shameful to
record and impossible to retrieve. In this
condition it will never do to let differences of
opinion as to how the war should be carried
on interfere with its vigorous prosecution.
First fill the ranks, and leave to those who
stay at home the obligation of shaping the
struggle to its proper ends.
| But Massachusetts needs no other incite-
ment to her duty than the certainty that she
has one to perform. Under this impulse her
| people Will come forward promptly and nobly,
as they always have done. (Cheers.) She
Will be always true, in this contest she has
been POLITICALLY true, to her historic record.
| The infant that here in the Cradle of Liber-
ty strangled the serpent is ready in its man.
hood to destroy the hydra; and when | see,
as lately have had the opportunity to see,
what kind of men they are, each one filling a
place in society, instructed, intelligent men,
heads and supporters of families, contributing
by steady labor to the wealth of the state
when see such men going by thousands and
hundreds OF thousands to the field. my ankle
~ is not IN regard to the number who 90
there, but it is that their ready obedience and
affecting confidence in the government will
be met by corresponding care for them in
the field, and that these concentrated energies
Will be directed to results worthy of the sacri-
hces they are making. (Applause.)
| Therefore, indulge myself in the pleasure
OF feeling that the object of this meeting is
not so much to urge the necessity for further
troops as to furnish on occasion for encour-
agement and sympathy to those now leaving
for the field-the asscmbage of friends on
shore to greet the parting ship-and so, with
Il God speed to them, | turn, with your per-
mission, for moment, to the duties resting
upon those of us who, for the time being are
left at home.
had just now expressed my anxiety that
we should obtain from this war results worthy
OF the sacrifices we are making. How this
shall be done and in the speediest way. is the
question which threatens still more to con-
vulse the country, and is making of the ma
ton one great council of war. And it is right
that tie people should in this way jealousy
debate their vital interests. Not ONLY is this
their inherited right, bought by the first rev.
olution, but it is also their sacred duty to keep
thpmSq Ives VOL and rurraptI1 inf, nov,
corning the progress of this revolution. and
to make known their wishes concerning the
manner in which it shall be controlled so as
best to secure domestic peace, and restore
1t upon imports liable foundations. cloud
cheers.) 1t Is in this way that the vitality of
our institutions manifests and maintains itself.
(Applause)
In ordinary wars II soldier is limited TO the
silent execution of his military duties. But
we are in the midst OF a revolution where
every citizen is soldier. Rome had her laws
special to civil war. Here the nation is stirred
to the heart by a struggle for existence, and
not only the life of the country but the life of
repres sentative liberty throughout the worldi is
at stake. 1t is not safe to believe that we
shall he able easily to govern this revolution
And in the midst of such events ii is not only
the right but the duty of every man to ex-
press his opinions, and, however slight his in
f1uence may be. to employ it in laboring for
the common cause.
Lord Herbert, when envoy at the court of
France, sent, | think, by Elzabeth-at all
events at time when on the personal rela-
tons Of ambassadors depended peace or war
for their nations to the French minister,
who had purposely provoked him, that sal.
though ambassador he was not the less gem
tleman." He reserved the right, when occa-
sion called for it, to act in his broader capa-
city. So, therefore, a soldier, but not the
less a citizen, l will, in the little | have to
say TO you speak my opinion freely (cries of
''good," good" and applause); but at the
same time, will endeavor to do so with the
reserve belonging to the first character l
will ask your indulgence, if | speak upon a
subject about which you are not all equally
united, but the proper treatment of which
think equally important with the proper treat
meut of our forces in the field; and if speak
of myself in connection, it is because in the
suggestions presume to make to you, l speak
upon my individual experience (Cries of
'good" and applause.)
Six years ago, when had the honor to rep
resent your views upon national affairs, held,
in common with yourselves, the opinion that
slavery should not be disturbed within its ex-
listing limits. When the confederate states
announced their existence, their executive
proclaimed slavery to be the cornerstone of
the new power. In Missouri, wear ago. as
war measure, l declared the slaves of rebels
free, Qmmense applause and cries of "good,"
and great cheering) believing this to be the
most lnclsive, searching and deadly blow
that could be aimed at the heart of the rebel
non. (Applause and cries of Good, good {"
bully for you, and cheers.) | Judged il to
be the quickest mode to damage and discon-
cert the enemy, and to gain great advantages
with the least cost Of life to the good citizens
who were acting with me in maintaining the
laws. general in the field, in distant and
rebelli0us district, invested with pro-consular
powers, did this in the exercise of what |
believed to be my legitimate authority.
(Cheers.) Later, as the war went on, | be-
came satisfied that with its successful termina-
ton must also terminate slavery in some form.
("Good, good" and cheers)
| considered it then sufficient that some
measure should be adopted by which it should
Immediately cease as a political power, and
begin to cease as a social fact But as the
contest was protracted the conditional opin-
ions with whichwe all entered upon il, in my
mind gave place TO the conviction that every
advantage which the laws of war allowed to
us should be employed, and that to be etfec-
1--WE as war measure this act should be
thorough and immediate. II became appar-
eht that the slower process would be inefiec-
tual' AND so the events of the wear have
Drought me to the conviction that there can
De no lasting peace while slavery exists on
our continent. (Great applause.) There
iore all other considerations apart and regard
Ing II only as measure for the efTectua1 sun.