Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-10-02
A Noble Speech Of General John A
Logan.

iDnuentlai leaderS OF the Dem0crati0 party
in Illinois, now Brigadier. General in the 6
Federal army, was on visit to his home in
Southern Illinois last week, and, in recent
speech at Carbondale, uttered the following
noble sentiments--in glorious contrast to the
partisan harangues of the Richardson's and
Aliens in the Vallandglam State Conven.
ton last week.
The Carbonlale Times gives the follow.
ing report of his speech, which it says was
the best of his life, and drew forth rounds
Of applause from his hearers:
The circumstances under which we meet
are strangely different from those of any
other period of our history. At other times
we met to descant upon the advantages and
blessings of this great and good Govern
ment, and the best political measures to per.
petuate Tree institutions; now, the great
question is, how shall we save it from the
vortex OF rebellion from the whirlpool OF
treason which is threatening to overwhel'n
and utterly destroy republican liberty2 In
regard to the best method of crushing the
rebellion and ending the war, almost every
one has his own views, and not few are
: ready to lose confidence in the ability of the
Government, because this or that policy was
t not adopted, because this or that defeat oc-
Y Cured, or in consequence OF some imagn-
Q airy or real mistake that has been made
+ This is all wrong. The men who are guild
/ ing the ship ofstate have done the best
g they could. and are entitled to our conf
e dence and sympathy. They arc but men,
l. and we should strengthen the hands of the
President and our Generals in this trying
/. hour, by overlooking mistakes and using our
'. influence in trying to impart to others con-
N tidence in those on whose shoulders rest SO
IF much responsibility. How little do we
,g know Of the tolls, the cares and the anxiety
~ Of those brave hearts who have labored
IS with all their might to crush the monster
n Secession.
,e These are times that demand the most
~ heroic energy and undaunted bravery Ev.
=, cry patriot in the land is called upon to
"A come to the rescue Of his country, to do his
III part in this struggle, and the man who fails
to lend his influence and energies in thi,
=, crisis, who fingers while liberty bleeds, i.
b., worthy of a traitors doom. This is a fear
,a ful war, the influence of which will be fell
i, H. for ages 1t is struggle between might
u, between republicauis,: and anarchy. II il
!. too late now to inquire into the causes that
T.. brought on the war-the day of conpromis,
W w has long since ended-it is by the sword
~ -, the bullet and the bayonet that this nation
.,,I al difficulty is to be settled. We have
y cunning and powerful foe with which Il
~, contend-he is in fearful earnest, and ha
h ha been all the while-the die is cast tn
III III Government must be preserved 1t ma
" cost millions of blood and treasure, but W
ry must conquer. The world is looking wit
n anxious hearts to the result OF this var, tn
on prayers of the down trodden portion of tn
nd Old World are ascending to God for tn
% "a. L. Al:
the world All things else sink to insignif
lsh problem. Party lines and partizan feeling
:h' should be swallowed up in patriotism |
!!n this connection, must say that am sorr
X to sec men in Illinois forget their countr
cry for their party. While your brothers al
'une falling in their country's service like eav,
.n' of autumn before the wiDtry blast; viii
.le' their bones are bleaching beneath a sun
III, mer sun; while the nation is suffering thro,
u u of agony, and crying for help, you a,
'i'u wranging over conventions and candidate
es. In the name Of God, fellow citizens, cea.
ihS this clamor, turn politics over to old me
nus and women, aud rally to the standard
Up your country. | was once politician, bl
Us so help me God, Twill never sheathe II
;ur' sword for courtly halls or civil honors un,
'oi ~ my country is saved from the bloody torn
loF do that is desolating the farest land c
pn,,, earth-never until the old flag floats in tt
" umph from every hilltop on Columbia
~ soil. These are my politics, and all the
vi is in the army at jackson. Indeed, [ a
i"u surprised to find men talking of anythil
H., ~. else
'onl Your country calls for aid, and it needs
.;,hp now. 1t will accept voluntary assistance
.'n ', it can get it; il not men will be forced in
10" 10 the ranks. There are many reasons wi
I'll I'll men do not go to war, and very few wi
WI, some men should not go. Frivolous re
rJu ,ra, sons are often given for not volunteerin
aoly but the most powerful reason is they d0 n
SUI. will go only with certain man, or in &c
ave tain company or regiment, or that he W
l. l. not go iuto an old regiment, OF that he "
b. not go without an Office, l feel there
something wrong about that mans heart
ats He don't love his country as he should
Your country needs you now worse than
are any other time, aud If you want to 90 in
,onai the service you can find no better or me
attic honorable place than in an old regiment
nes, Why object to filling the place Of the bra
pin boys who fell at Belmont, Donelson or 81
rthy loh, whose bodies sleep in soil contamir
ted by the footsteps of Rebels. In sicknt
{ it. Tor in health, in the camp or on the bait
the field, the best place for the young soldier
the is by the side Of the veteran.
ara. | am for vigorous prosecution of Il
loss war 10 DO TINS we must have men, a
that thousands of them. If necessary, wor
de- call out every able bodied man in the 10,
pro. States--turn the Government over to 9
nero mothers, wives and daughters. | wo,
hair give those who wanted to 90 an opportu
jncoI ty, and these who did not want to. 20
oon, would make an opportunity for them.
inks wouldma them fight for the Governme