The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-09-18

\ monster banquet was given in Louisville on
the 18th, to Gen. Lowell II. Rousseau. of the
Louisville Legion, who displayed great gallantry
at Shiloh. Hon. James Guthrie presided. Gen.
Rousseau, in response 10 u toast, used the follow
ing language, which, coming from one of the
strongest conservatives IN the army, in entitled
20 great consideration
:. Gen. Halleck's army i'm is intercourse with
the secessiOnists, has pleaded and l. still pleading
for peace under the old Government, Offering to
our Southern brethren all they ever had, and
claiming nothing except in common with them.
They want tn take nothing from any one, but
desire that their Southern brethren shall enjoy
all their rights unimpaiTed. But the negro Is in
the way, IN spite Of all that can be done or said.
Standing before the eye of the secessiOnist, the
negro hides all the blessings Of our Government,
throwing a black shadow on the sun itself. If
had been any other species Of property that stood
in the way, the army, provoked as it has been,
would, willingly 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 cry of - abOlitionism'' ms a cause for
breaking up the Government. 1 have warned
our Southern friends Of the danger of continuing
it much longer; and | tell you tonight that, If
this war continues a year from this day, there
will not be n 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 pretcnse that we desire TO free their negroes,
will, if they persist. one day find slavery snufed
out as you snuff out Il candle. Slavery is not
worth our Government. lie is not worth our
liberty. IL 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 az it now is, with slavery in it,
still we must have our Government. We cannot
be slaves To JEFF. Davis K Co. We must and will
he free We must have tGa frpa pavip1tinn Of
the Mississippi River and if slavery gets in the
way ofany of these rights, why slavery must get
out OFthe way. That would be the last resort,
and | should be sorry to have recourse to it but
1 am Tor the Government OF our fathers against
all things and everybody. Whilst the liberties
of the people are secure under it, as they ever
have been, L would allow nothing but death to
prevent my unfolding 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 decide between slavery and your
wives and children. AS for me, | am ready for
the responsibility. \ Southern man as | am,
born and brought up IN the South, | could not
one moment when the issue is presented
between the Niger and the Government of our
fathers ] am for the Government of the United
States against all its enemies. l nope and pray
that our Northern friends will not force us to
on this sensitive point. We deprecate
such 4 result. for we want our rights under the
Constitution, and we are all ready to fight for
theirs under the good old Government. | would
most willingly grid on my sword and fight
Tor any right belonging to them, sLarery included;
but they must not put slavery between me and
the Government and laws of the United States.
Will not consent to become n slave that the
negro may be kept a slave. | will not sacrifice
the happiness of my wife,, children. and friends,
the welfare of my beloved State, and the glory
Of my country on an altar dedicated to the
Ebony IDOL"