Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-06-04
ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

sergt. J. E. Harms, A, wounded slightly.
A. Hurley, A, q" -"
- Barnes, A, ="
Speech of John j. Crittenden-His Re-
buke to Northern PeacemOngers-The
support of the Government Every
Mans First Duty.
The recent speech of John J. Oritten-
den at Lexington, Kentucky, on the war,
and the duty of the people, was in mark
ed contrast with the addresses of many of
those with whom Mr.. Crittenden has
heretofore co-operated. Mr.. Crittenden
is by no means an abolitionist or radi-
cal a; he has all his life been distinguished
as conservative of the straitest sect, and
yet, while disappearing of many things,
he declares unreservedly for the prosecu-
ton of the war and the suppression of the
rebellion at whatever cost, holding that to
do anything less than this would be "ap
ignominy the like of which has never
been heard of in history" In his speech
he said, after abiding to the rejection of
the resolutions offered by him in the
House of Representatives:
"Still, was for the war. Notwith-
standing the Confsoation act, notwith-
| standing the Emancipation Proclamation
| and the emancipation laws, notwithstand-
ing the policy of raising negro armies and
the talk about negro equality with white
men as soldiers and voted against them
| notwithstanding their adoption, 1
| have still advocated the prosecution of the
war. While the rebellion was before me,
| while the great enemy of my country was
| before me, was still for the war, without
| an armistice, regardless of foreign inter-
vention-fghting all the world, if neces-
| sary-till the rebellion is put down. l
| was dissatisfied with the policy of the
Administration. | thought it my duty to
| tell Congress and the government that we
| thought these measures were impolitic
| and unconstitutional. But still 1t was our
| duty to fight the rebellion; it was the
greatest danger, and it was right in our
faces. Our constitution and laws might
| all be violated or suspended; it would be
| of no use to stop to talk. After the war
is over the people may, in their wisdom,
| correct the errors and repair the mischief,
| and prevent further encroachments on the
constitution and their rights.
s" am, therefore, for the prosecution of
the War until it shall have accomplished
it's end. To the dissolution of this Union
I never will subscribe. | am an old man,
days of my life without being compelled
to sanction proposition tor the dismem-
berment of the Union but notwithstand-
ing, from principle, for the perpetuation of
free government, would prosecute this
war as long as there is a rebel in arms
| threatening that government, and threat
ening Kentucky especially. The rebel
government claims Kentucky as its own,
| because some Of her recreant sons have
gone off into its service. Yes, the rebels
say, we will have Kentucky anyhow; it
isn't worth while for her % struggle. You
| have, therefore, something more than q
general interest in this war; you have a
| particular one. The South wants you :;
you have rich country, and are prosper
Gus; you can pay taxes; you are SOL
dierly, fighting people, and if they can
conquer you, you may be made TO serve
them well. What Kentuckian will not
say the war shall be prosecuted to the last
extremity by those who were born in the
| land of fair women and brave men -
| [Great cheers. | tell you, the rebels
never shall, never can subj ugate you, if
you are determined they shall not.'
In the following remarks Mr.. Crittenden
shows the utter fallacy of hoping to cor
rect errors in the policy of the govern
ment, if such there be, by violence and
harsh dealing, instead of by temperate
criticism, or by menaces of withdrawal
of men and means for the support of the
| war:
6 1t is proposed by some, in their anger
against the government, to refuse to fight
the rebellion-to refuse to give money or
men for the prosecution OF the war. Will
that better the msttera Will that course
save you, and save our glorious country
and government? If you offer no resist
ance, you surrender to it, and lose your
manhood. It is not By denouncing the
uiews of the President, it is not by the
| language of passion and reproach that Err
| rors in pubic affairs can be righted, and
the government conducted successfully.
| You are q portion of the people Of the
United States act in manner becoming
your high character. Sedition does not
| become it; clamor does not become it,
Action, at the proper time and in the
proper manner, according to legal and con-
| stitutional provision, is what we want,
and what the world has right to expect"
In concluding, Mr.. Crittenden said:
ssThe nation will get through its diff
| culties. We have the power and will to
do it, and we shall accomplish it. The
| great Providence that has made Us the
standard-bearer of freedom will not per-
NIT our government to go down and leave
the world in gloom. l have faith; there
is Divinity above that shapes all our
ends and He will shape the destiny OF our
nation. Its career has only just begun,
and Providence does not permit a half fiD-
ished work of such momentous proper
tions to fail and be abandoned and
| trust in God, that we, the people, do not
| intend it. Our hearts must be filled with
| the noble determination to maintain the
integrity of our government, while We
grow greater and greater, mightier and