The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1863-07-22

Fellow. CITIZENS When accepted tht
invitation to speak with others at this meet
ihg, we were promised the dOwnall OF Vieks
burg, the opening Of the Mississippi, thu
probable capture OF the Confederate Capital
and the exhaustion of the rebellion. BY
common consent all parties had fixed upon
this day when the results of the campaign
should be known, to mark out that line o
policy which thev felt that our country
should pursue. But in the moment Of ex
pecied victory there came the midnight cry
for help from Pennsylvania TO save its de
/ spoiled fields from the invading foe, and
almost within sight Of this great commercial
metropolis, the ships Of your merchants
were burned to the waters edge. Since
/ that time have occupied every hour, to the
point Of physical exhaustion, to rally our
troops to the rescue Of an adjoining sister
State Tremendous applausel; to organize the
militia Of our own State for our defense, and
to place New York in that condition ol dig
nifty and power which great State should
ever hold that truly respects its own rights.
Great applause. ! have concerned myself
! with those measures that | thought were
calculated to protect the commerce Of this
great city. | stand before you, then, upon
this occasion, not as one animated by ex
pected victories, but feeling as all feel who
are now within the sound of my voice, the
dread uncertainties Of the conflicts which
rage around us, not alone in Pennsylvania.
but along the whole line Of the Mississippi
contests that are carrying down to bloody
graves so many Of our fellow countrymen, so
many OF our iriends-that are spreading re
newed mourning throughout this great broad
land OF ours.
Under circumstances like these, | shall
allow to go upnoticed many topics upon
which meant to speak on this OCCASION
They might seem to jar with the solemnity
OF the occasion. They might not be in keep
ing with the feelings which now press on
each breast Of ours. But there is one subject
to which even now l feel it my duty to call
your attention. There is one appeal that
want now to make to this whole community,
irrespective of party, and l pray that you
may hear that appeal. A few years ago we
stood before this community to warn them
OF the dangers Of sectional strife, but our
fears were laughed at At latter day, when
the clouds Of war overhung our country, we
itDplored those in authority to compromise
that difficulty, for we had been told by
great orator and statesman, Burke, that there
never yet was revolution that might not
have been prevented by compromise made in
a timely and graceful manner Great ap
plause. Our prayers were unheedcd. Again,
when the contest was opened, we invoked
those who had the conduct of affairs not 10
underrate the power Of the adversary-not
to underrate the courage and resources, and
endurance, of our own sister States. All
this warning was treated as sympathy with
treason. You have the results OF these un.
needed warnings and unheeded prayers; they
have stained our soil with blood !; they have
carried mourning into thousands of homes
and to day they have brought our country to
the very verge Of destruction.
Once more | come before you, to offer
again an earnest prayer, and bid you to listen
to warning. Our country is not only at
this time torn by one Of the bloodest wars
that has ever ravaged the face of the earth,
or Of which history gives an account, but, if
we turn our faces to our own loyal States,
how is it there ? Do you not find the com
munity divided into political parties, strong.
ly arrayed against each other and using,
with regard to each other, terms of reproach
and defiance ? Is it not said by thoss who
support more particularly the Administra.
tion, that we who differ honestly, patriot
cally, sincerely, from them with regard to
the line. o! duty, are men Of reasonable pur.
poses and traitors to our country! ["llear
boar."1 Dut, on the other hand, is it not
true that many oil our organization look upon
this Administration as hostile to our rights
and liberties look upon our opponents as
men who would do us wrong in regard to our
most sacred franchises? | need not call your
attention to the tone of the press or to the
tone OF public feeling to show you how, at
this moment parties are thus exasperaed,
and stand in almost defiant attitudes to each
other. A few years ago we were told that
sectional strife, waged in times like these,
would do no harm to our country; but you
have seen the sad and bloody results. Let
us be admonished now In time, and take
care that this irritation, this feeling which is
growing up in our midst shall not also ripen
unto civil troubles that shall carry the evils
OF war into our very midst and about our
own homes. Now, upon one thing all parties
are agreed, and that is this:
Until we have united North we can have
no successful war. Until we have a united
Harmonious North we can have no beneficent
peace. How shall the unity OF all parties be
obtained? l wish to say few words 10 you
upon this point, which, firmly believe, is
one Of the most important considerations to
which | could call your attention. Is har.
mony to be coerced? ? | appeal to you, my
Republicans friends, when you say to us that
the nations life and existence hangs upon
harmony and concord here, if you yourselves
in your serious moments, believe that this is
to be produced by seizing our persons, by in
fringing upon our rights, by insulting our
homes, and by depriVing us of those cherish
ed principles for which our fathers fought
and to which we have always sworn allie
glance? Great applause. l do appeal TO
you, my Republican friends, and beg that
you will receive this appeal in the earnest
and patriotic spirit which prompts me to
make IL. appeal to you if you are not do
ing yourselves and your country a great
wrong when you declare that harmony and
unity Of parties are essential to save the ma
tinn's life, essential to the highest interests
of our land, and yet stigmatze men as true
and hone, It as yourselves, and whom expert.
ence has proved to have been wiser, too, as
men who do not love their country, and who
are untrue to their institutions,
How, then, are we to get this indispensa
BILE harmony-this needed unity ? Its not
to be obtained by trampling upon rights it
is not TO be obtained by threats it is not 10
be obtained by coercion it is not to be OBJ
tained by attempting to close our lips when
we would utter the honest purposes OF our
hearts and the warm convictions OF our
Judgment. But, my Republican friends,
there is mode by which it can be reached
there is mode by which the nations lie
can be saved there is a mode by which, in
the and vua will Tn;a e