Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-22
Speech of Hon. Fernando wood at the
Rev YORK Democratic State COnvcn-

ton.
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN: l rise rather
out of respect to the call that has been made
upon me than with "A hope that could say any
thing instructive after the able and eloquent
effort we have just heard. [GOv. Seymour In
deed it is difficult for at this time to discuss
public questions at all. In the habit of speaking
frankly and sincerely to the people. / dare not
trust myself to deal with topics which are now
absorbing public attention, lest the criticism which
our rulers deserve may render me the object of
Misrepresentation.
Ii 1t be said, as it may be with truth, that the
present Congress is utter unfit to represent the
American people, and that 1T has been sue
cessful in but one thing, viz: In uniting
the South and dividing the NortD, the de-
claFation of such sentiments is regarded
treason. If the conduct of the war is the theme
discussed, and the wckedneSs and weakness of
some o. our military and executive rulers be held
up to popular examination and Reproduction, 1t Is
deemed as giving aid and comfort TO the enemy,
and as a crime against the State. Ii is danger
Gus therefore to speak the truth. We must pre-
varicate and extenuate or fasify to safety
and exemption from Misrepresentation or per-
sonal wrong. In short, in speaking OF the pOit-
ical questions of the day man must lie to keep
out OF Jail And it has come to this in our ia
vored land of liberty. Our boosted republican
ism has dwindled into IA despotism more des-
/
globe All the free expression and honest indie
pendence of thought and action incident to the
genius of our institutions lost to us. and the
American people, as il were in n night, have
sunk into the depths OF the darket bondage and
the meauest cowardice.
In these expressions of hostility to unwarranted
interference with individual constitutional rights
let me not be misunderstood. | am for the larg-
est liberty Of thought and expression only so far
lie fatv and tha
preston of the armed resistance to the Govern
ment. | would tolerate assaults upon the in
| tegTity of the Federal Government such,
permit ANYTHING which would lend assistance to
those who are now in arms against it. We must
maintain the glorious confederacy established by
the American revolution.
And it is Tor this very reason that would give
our enemies no aid, and adhere to constitutional
| law; that would hold our rulers to strict
countability. 1t is that want this w@r success
fully closed, and i'm such "a way as will reflect no
discredit upon our arms upon the good name
of tue republic that | deprecate these home as
saults upon the Constitution and refer to the evil
dent inability evinced by some Of those in power
to bring back again into the Union the misguided
States of the South, who, Sampson like. are
pulling down the pillars of tie temple upon their
| own heads as well as ours, involving all lin one
general ruin.
To accomplish the restoration, military sue
cess is not all that is required. Military conquest
or subjugation will not of itself produce concord
or unity. There must be something besides.
There must be Legislative and Executive action
of corresponding efficiency. Wemust have more
yigor of intellect and higher standard of pat
riotism. Men must be placed in positions. civil
and military, who have minds TO comprehend
and nerve to execute-the great requisites now
demanded by the exigences OF the country.
These. are not to be obtained by revolution, but
by the free action OF the people expressed through
the baot-box. If the nation is TO be pre- erve 4,
it is in this way. II is by ballots, and not alto
gether by bullets. Though the latter is now in
dispensable in defending US from aggression and
in sUbduing treason, yet il is not the sole means
of accomplishing the result. What boots it how
many armies we send to the field, or how many
hundreds of millions we exhaust in the diSburse-
| ment. if no wiser and more able counsels shall
prevail 1t is. after all, to the great directory
heads that we must look for success, and these
under the theory of our institutions must be
chosen by the people. The army and the navy
are but the creation of the civil law-and the
civil law, as well as the highest military and naval
| authority, derives existence from, and is only to
be found in the hands of those who can have no
existence except by the action OF the popular
vote. Immense applause
congratulate you on the nomination of Ho-
ratio Seymour. This nomination will secure the
successor the conseiv ative interests in Novem-
Der. The sentiments he has uttered in the speech
we have Just listened to, viii find a response in
every patriots heart | concur with him in all
he has said. His facts are indisputable and his
opinions incontrovertible He has shown in this
mastery effort the head of a statesman and the
nerve OF lion. Let stand by him! He is
worthy of our abiding confidence and of our uni
ted, determined support. New York will respond
to this nomination in way that will strike terror
into the ranks of our enemies. pledge that no.
BILE city for majority of twenty i've thousand.
The cnhearted Democracy of the Empire City
of the Empire State, united, will with terri
fc power make her voice heard in the coming
election. We are aroused to the mighty issue
pending, feeling and believing that if this Union
shall be restored il will be by the Democratic
party. speaking through the action OF some no
BILE patriot. Upon all depends. Let us, there
fore, eevating ourselves to the emergency, make
a herculean effort to save the country or perish
in the attempt.
Mr.. Wood retired amid great enthusiasm and
applause.
s The Abolitionists complain that a ma
orty of our soldiers are opposed to their schemes.
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