The Portland daily press., 1862-10-22
POLL T &c A l..
A Magazine of Facts--Speech of Judge
Trumbull of Illinois.

Trumbull of Illinois.
Hon. Lyman Trumbull, U. S. Senator from
Illinois, recently made speech to the people
Of jackson, Michigan, from which we copy
the following extracts:
FELLOW CITIZENS: In times of great ex-
element, like the present, amid the conflict of
arms between hundreds and tens of thousands,
and hundreds of thousands, striving for life
and victory on the battlefield; when the ears
of our whole country are opening for news
from the army of the Potomac and the army
of the West; when fathers, mothers and sis
tiers are eagerly watching the arrival of the
cars to see what son, or father, or BROTHER has
fallen, words have but little effect upon you.
You are not in the best frame of mind to stop
calmly and consider what your duty at home
is. know it is hard to interest you when
your minds are running off to the battlefield.
While our armies are contending to maintain
the supremacy of the government, there is
foe at home that is trying to bring to naught
our victory.
Familiar as it may be to you, it is still i'm
portant that we should look back into the his
tory of the last two years. 1t has been long
two years, from the scenes enacted; il seems
to us like forty years--it seems to me like half
century since Abraham Lincoln was inaug-
urated president. 1t is not two years since
States with political adversary as to who
should have control of the government. The
issue was slavery, whether it should be ex-
tended all over the country, or be confined to
the states where it existed. BY the blessing
of God we triumphed-won victory in ac-
cordance with the forms of the constitution.
No sooner was the result ascertained, and
the telegraph gave notice that Abraham Lin
coin was elected president, than those having
control of the government set to work to de-
stroy-to betray. They were not satisfied
with the result, and determined not to submit
They had borne sway in the government for
many years. AT that time the Executive and
Judiciary were in the hands of the democratic
party, SO called. The House of Representa-
tives was not completely under their control.
No party had majority. The Executive the
democrats had the control of; so the Judici-
airy. The republicans in the House not hav-
ing clear majority, did not have the control
Howell Cobb, then Secretary of the United
States Treasury, now a general in the rebel
army, went to work to destroy the credit of
the government and was so successful that the
funds of the government, which had command
ed 20 per cent premium, ran down to 32 per
cent. He borrowed money to carry on the
government at II per cent. interest, and found
it difficult to obtain it at that
Floyd, Secretary of War, and now in the
rebel army, went to work systematically to
place arms in the hands of men who were plot
ting for the overthrow of the government.
The army, 1900 strong, was scattered to the
remotest parts.
The navy of the United States, under Tou-
cey, was in a condition almost as disastrous
to the government as the army. Every vessel,
save the Brooklyn, was sent away on distant
service.
In December, after the rebellion had culmi-
mated, he tfoucey) sent the last sloop of war
on a cruise of two years-the last one, except
the Brooklyn.
Floyd not only transported all the arms TO
the South, hut issued an order to transport
cannon from Pittsburg to fort at the mouth of
the Mississippi. The people of Pittsburg re-
monstrated, and would not allow the guns to
go. This led to an inquiry, when it was ascer-
tanned that the foundations of the fort were
yet under water.
During the winter of 1S60-61, the public
property in the South was seized. The forts
were possessed, the mint taken, and revenue
vessels seized. A vessel of the United States,
carrying supplies TO garrison, was fired on,
and turned back. Senators from six States
withdrew, announcing that the government
was dissolved, and that they were going home
and would resist the enforcement of the laws
of the United States within their States
During the same winter, representative from
six or seven Southern States tat Montgom-
cry, Alabama, and established provisional
government hostile to the government of the
United States.
All this was done, be it remembered, before
the 4th day OF March, and before Abraham
Lincoln was inaugurated.
And yet there are those who say this is an
abolition war. Who did ii? Who was i'm pow
er? james Buchanan, placed there by the
democratic party. Every man in Office was a
democrat. Every department of the govern
ment was under democratic rule and vet they
say that all this was brought about by the Re-
publican party. What had it done? 1t was
not in power. If Buchanan didn't conniye
with the consprators, he saw them. True, he
had sent a message TO Congress saying that Sc
cession was wrong and unconstitutional, but
he saw no way to prevent it. He let them 90
on, as he did not want to offend the traitors
who were seizing the property of the govern
ment
On the 4th day of March Abraham Lincoln
was inaugurated. When some are disposed
to complain that immediate and decided steps
were not taken, they seem to forget the condi-
uon of affairs President Lincoln had nothing
to do with. The navy yard in Washington
was under the control of Buchanan. not James,
who since commanded the rebel vessel Merri-
mac Ihe chief Of police in the capital was a
traitor Every department was filed with
traitors. 1he army was scattered and the ma
Wy sent to far off quarters. The President
knew not who to trust What could he do? He
couldn't know the navy commander-a traitor
1t TOOK some time TO know who were loyal and
who were false.
Shortly afterwards, the rebels opened their
guns on Fort Sumter. Then the President ap-