The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-02-20
Speech Of Gen. Burnside I'm New
York.

XAU q AuOOUIlR VI Uu0 OAAVO0 ooOoOo Vii 40
tan Commission in New York, on lastSun-
day night, over which Gen. 6ooTT presided,
General BURNSIDE made a speech of con-
siderable length. Omitting those portions
relating to the objects Of the Association,
we make extracts of special interest at the
present time:
Great battles must almost inevitably be
fought within few weeks. Large con-
tending forces are in the presence of each
other, and as soon as the elements will
permit them to come in contact with each
other, it is not only fair to suppose, but it
is almost impossible to avoid collision.
In fact it is necessary that there should be
collision.
You may expect me to say few words
in reference to the condition of the army
with which have been so lately identified.
A wrong impression is existing in the COM
munity with reference to that condition.
Some persons are impressed with the idea
| that that army is in demoralized state.
That is not the case. The soldiers are as
brave as ever they were. They are well
clothed, we'll fed, well armed, and as long
| as they are well, are able to take care of
themselves. Our officers are becoming
more experienced every day. There is no
decentralization in the field, which the coli
versation in the street and in private cir
cles would indicate. There is not that adj
herence to any special principle, to any
special act of men, or laws, or parties,
among the soldiers, as some people indi-
cate. They remember and appreciate,
and feel that while it is noble and grand to
entertain personal friendship and personal
love for their commander, they at the
same time fully realize that it is ignomin-
ious and low to give blind adherence to
any man, to any name, or to any specific
line of policy, either political or military.
They are in the field to give their whole
strength and energy in support of the Co.
vernment.
We make mistakes here at home which
probably have done some harm, and yet
to no great extent, and might do more if
pursued, but think that our people in the
main, when they find themselves wrong,
will generally right themselves, and think
this mistake will be righted. Many dis
couraging letters have been written to
soldiers in the field. We should try to cor
rect that, and write encouraging letters
Many discouraging speeches have been
made, and in some cases, public journalists
have written discouraging paragraphs,
which have fallen under their eyes, and
some discouraging pamphlets have been
written and sent to the soldiers. All these
things have done harm, and many CONVEX
sations related to them take place with the
soldiers. heard man in Washington,
the other day, near me-he did not know
mel was in citizens dress and he was
talking to half dozen admirers about
him-say that he wished and hoped to see
the guillotine established again; he want
ed to see the heads rolling from the block
by the thousand. heard another man,
who was trying to show some special en-
thusiasm in favor of the Government
the Administration-an he was doing the
Administration harm at the time. Iheard
another man, coming in the cars, last
night, talking to soldier, and he talked
in strain that call reasonable. He was
trying to impress this soldier with the idea
that he ought not to return to his duty in
the field-that this war had become po-
litical war-that the President of the Uni
ted States, only he used a very opprobrious
epithet in speaking of him, was fighting
for a political party-that these men we're
being sacrificed in the field for that pur-
pose. This was wrong. That soldier did
not seem to believe it. He did not seem
to be of the same opinion, and l prayed
that he would not be.
There are mistakes in our private circle
and in our intercourse every way. think,
at the same time, we should entertain opin-
ions with reference to the policy of the
Government. 1t is our duty to be tempe
rate in our expressions, and use all the
powers that we have within the limits Of
the Constitution to do our duty to the
Government as it now is. We are fight
ing against the people of the South simply
because they did not want to live under q
President elected in accordance with the
Constitution of the United States, and ]
know we would be doing very wrong te
think for one moment, Of course, of at
tempting to force the Government of the
United States to give up what the Consti'
tuition gives it the right to do. The Pres,
ident of the United States has right tC
maintain such people about him as he
pleases. The Constitution gives him that
He has been elected for four years hal
ofhis term is gone; if the people don't
like him, at the end OF four years they Car
change their policy. do not mean to say
by this that the people do not like him.
do not express my opinion. But these are
the things that are demoralizing the army
in the feld-but they are not demoraliz
ing it to any great extent. l am sure o
that. 1t is demoralized no more than any
large army in the field has been some time
during its existence.
And now you will pardon me if l sim
ply close my remarks with the expression
to you of my earnest and high apprecia
ton of the value Of the labors of YOU
association, and l constantly pray to Goo
that you may be prospered in this grea
work that is before you, and that oul
armies in the field may be strengthened
for the work that is before them, and thai
our government may be established il
purity and peace.
Gen. BURNSIDE sat down amid repeatat
applause.