The Grand Haven news., 1862-03-12
SPEECH of HON. F.J.LITTLEJoHN
Delivered before the Democratic State
Convention, at Detroit, on the 5th
day Of March, 1862.

Gentlemen Of the Convention and
FelloD- Citizens;: Deeming it due to my
official station, / have for the past four
years, abstained from attending political
conventions. l even declined being del
egate to this convention. But when the
time arrived, | was irresistibly impelled in
this direction. l became an unrepining
captive to my own feelings; voluntary
prisoner to truly intensified interest in
all public movements, touching our ma
tional peril, and the vexed problem of n
safe, happy and honorable deliverance
therefrom.
| came, however, rs an outsider, ST.
lent observer, intending, nevertheless, il
need be, TO whisper in some friendly ear,
words Of peace aud harmony, words Of
calmness and caution, and words of hope,
of manly courage and high resolve; and
above all, to point increasingly to the pre-
cepts and examples of '76, and to the an
cient ways our fathers trod. By the par
tiality of old-time friends, and the indul-
gence of the convention, / have been sud-
denly foisted upon this platform, and con-
stituted, pro hac viee, one Of your num-
Der.
Now that am here, standing in this
noble presence, have no excuse to urge,
no apology to offer, and no special justi-
fication to plead for being present. or TAX
ing part in your deliberations. The coun-
try and the times alike demand, and the
government may rightfully claim the cor
dial and united support of all Union-lov-
ing citizens. Claiming to have steadfast-
ly occupied that position, and deeming the
present fitting occasion for the sponta-
neous pledge of fealty to rightful author
ity; l intend, within my sphere, to both
speak and act freely, as becomes a loyal
American citizen-,fearlessly, as becomes
a northern democrat-and patriotically,
as becomes one born under the shelter OF
our national flag-whose happiness it has
been, for long years, TO fondly gaze upon
the increasing breadth, and undimmed
lustre of the stars and stripes, and whose
present aims and future hopes arc all Gen.
tered in the perpetual glory, the immor-
tai vigor of the Federal Constitution and
Union as our fathers made them.
In the few remarks may have the
the honor to submit, it will be my object
to avoid trenching upon ground more
properly assignable to regular members oi
the convention, and to content myself with
isolated points, practical suggestions, and
gleanings by the wayside.
l have no present purpose TO descant
upon the remote or even proximate causes
which have precipitated upon our govern
ment and people this unnatural, but most
formidable rebellion. For weary months
we have been in the midst of the sweat
and blood and mortal agony of an inter
necne war! A thousand traitorous dag.
gers are yet flashing and cleaning at the
throat of the Union Let us first ward
of, strike down, and wrench away these
murderous weapons This done and all
discussion Of cause and effect may prove
useless. The situs of treason's forge will
then be made manifest. For, like the
pixies of Ossowatomie Brown" the man.
yacturer's mark wW be found on The
hqf and blade!
This much is clear. The virus of this
wide-spreading treason is neither traceablc
nor chargeable to any legitimate action o.
the general government. For four-ffths
Of century that government had WEI
performed its functions, moving within
the circle of its delegated powers, and
faithfully observing its constitutional obi
cations. No American citizen East ol
West, North or South, could honestly
stand up before high Heaven, and right
fully accuse that government of oppress
ion, or even inequality in the bestowmenr
of national benefactions. The attempt tC
drag into this bloody issue, questions o
Southern States rights, which have neve
been by the government invaded, or tn,
security of Southern institutions, will
which no administration had interfered, i
vain and illusory. Equally unfounded i
the charge that government had infringec
upon the liberties or trespassed upon tn
franchise of northern freemen.
The causes of this war, when properl,
sought for, will be ultimately found in ag
gression, either fancied or real, from with
out the government circle; in the morbi'
feelings engendered by the clashings O
abstract theories, and the fierce antago
nisms of sectional political ideas. Theo
ries essentially and absurdly groundless
and ideas, on the one hand, diametricall
opposed to the fiat of nature and provi
Dental economy, and on the other, sub
versive of fundamental principles, the ex
press guarantees, and the solemn com
pacts of the constitution itself.
Thus, then, our government stood
the freest, the mildest, the most perfect o.
earth-dispensing its bepefactions, lik
dews of heaven, upon all orders, classe
and conditions of citizens, and literall
radiating happiness and prosperity fror
the center to the extremities of thi
mighty republic. And this, too, at th
very moment when armed rebellion ur
dertook its foul dishonor and everlastin