Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-06-24

army, provoked as it has been, would willing
ly have seen its quick destruction. But the
negro they did not wish to interfere with in
any way Yet, with all its conservatism and
patriotism the army has grown weary of this
insane cray of 'abolitionism' as cause for
breaking up the government.
Il have warned our southern friends of the
danger of continuing it much longer; and 1
tell you tonight that, if this war continues Il
year from to-day, there will not be a slave on
this continent The great revolution will take
care of itself-the dead will bury its dead
and those who are causing all the bloodshed
and desolation around us under the false pre-
tence that we desire to free their negroes
will, If they persist one day find slavery snuff
ed out as they snuff out candle. Slavery is
not worth our government 1t is not worth
our liberty. 1t is not worth all the precious
blood now being poured out for freedom. 1t
is not worth the free navigation of the Missis-
sippi river No, we must still have our gov
ernment-if not as it now is, with slavery in it,
still we must have our government. We can
not be slaves to JEFF. Davis, &Co. We must
and will be free. We must have the free nav
igation of the Mississippi; and if slavery gets
in the way of any of these rights, why slavery
must get out of the way. That would be the
last resort, and should be sorry to have re-
course to it; but am for the government of
our fathers against all things and everybody.
Whilst the liberties of the people are secure
under it, as they have been, | would let moth
ing but death prevent my upholding it. And,
10th as you may be to decide, you will soon,
as believe be called upon to do so. In spite
OF your entreaties, the issue will be cruelty
thrust upon you, and you will be forced to de-
eide between slavery and your wives and
children.
GAS for me, l am ready for the responsible
lty. southern man as | am, born and
brought up in the south, with all my sympa-
thies with the south, could not hesitate one
moment when the issue is presented between
the niger and the government of our fathers.
l am for the government of the United States
against all its enemies. hope and pray that
our northern friends will not force us to ex-
tremes on this sensitive point. We deprecate
such a result; for we want our rights under
the constitution, and we are all ready to fight
for theirs under the good old government.
would to-day most willingly grid on my sword
| and fight for any right belonging to them,
slGrery included; but they must not put slave
| ry between me and the government and laws of
the United States. l will not consent to be-
come slave that the negro may be kepta slave.
| L will not sacrifice the happiness of my wife,
children, and friends, the welfare of my beloved
| sGite, anu inc glory OF my country on an altar
dedicated to the Ebony IDOL When 1 see
placed on one side government formed by
the noblest men the world has ever produced,
the legacy of Washington to the human race,
a glorious country filled with a happy and en-
| hghtened people, and admired or feared on
| every spot that is trodden by the foot of civ
| lllZed man, and on the other country rent
into insignificant fragments, engaged in con-
tinual wars with each other, each on his
knees begging assistance from some foreign
monarch or other, against a rival fragment,
an object of contempt to him who uses it fol
his own purposes, then l shall not be long il
coming to a decision, though negro slavery
may be on one side and not on the other.'