Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1863-08-27
SENATOR DOUBTLESS RE
MARKS.
Delivered Before the Republican CON-
UentlOn.

vention.
Gentlemen Of the Convemtton In
submitting the above resolution, | have
to say that we meet at time ct great
RESPONSIBILITIES. We have come to-
gether to discharge the highest civil
duty. What is the state of affairs ?
What is the real situation
For two years and more, that great
conspiracy which for thirty years has
been plotting to destroy this government,
has been engaged in actual war against
it. So deeply laid, SO well matured
were all it's plans, so widespread, SO
thoroughly armed were the conspirators,
and so unsuspecting and unprepared
were the loyal people Of the United
States, that the rebellion at once sprang
into gigantic proportions. 1t was at
once recognized by England and France
as beliggerent power on equal footing
with ourselves. There have been times
when it would seem as if they might
even succeed in destroying the Union
and Constitution, and in the utter over
throw Of our whole system Of govern
ment.
During all that period, for more than
two years, our country has been engaged
in fearful struggle for its very life
She has to exert every power she has
bled at every pore. At her call oul
sons have gone to premature graves
But thanks to God and to our brave
men in arms, our beloved country still
liyest Our flag still floats over the
Capitol at Washington, "not star OBJ
scured, not a stripe erased ?" We are
still American citizensl Our recent
great victories, it is true, being great
cement, and greater promise o.
browning victories to come. But our
danger is by no means passed. That
fearful struggle of life and death goes
on, and must still go on, until the end
of the rebellion comes. | know we
have done much, but our work is not
finished.
In spite Of disasters; in spite Of
some mistakes; in spite of the great
disadvantages under which we COM
menced this struggle against armed re-
bellion; in spite Of European sympa-
thy and material aid in spite Of treas
on and its sympathizers North and
South in spite Of dangers by sea and
by land and dangers among false breth
ren we have steadily and unfalteringly
pushed on the great work the God
given duty-of maintaining and defend
ing the supremacy and integrity of the
Constitution and Government of the
United States. We have opened the
Mississippi from its source to its mouth.
We are now battering down the walls
of that fortress where the flag of the
Union was first Inundated at the feet
Of traitors, in the harbour Of Charles
ton, and | trust, before many week,
we can raise it once more, never TO
come down again, over that wicked
city, where treason has continued to
hatch its vile broods for a quarter Of
a century
In answer to the sneers and jibes of
the English aristocracy, the London
Times, the New York World, and all
their sympathisers, in Europe as well
as in America, we can point to our
two years Of hard labor, trial, and sac
rifce-of blood, and agony, and tears,
and say, "Behold the results" Mary
land, Missouri, Kentucky, most of Ten
nessee, much of Arkansas, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Virginia, and North Caro-
lima, and some even Of South Carolina
Georgia, Florida and Alabama are once
more under the flag of the Union, and
the supremacy of the Constitution
Under the providence Of God, by the
heroic exertions Of our army and ma
w, we have redeemed from the rebel
lion country greater and richer by
far than all Of France and Great Britain
put together.
And let US not deceive ourselves. This
cursed rebellion still lives beaten, it is true.
but not discounted driven back, democrat
lied somewhat, but by no means suppressed.
It still rears a gigantic front. Tt still aims
at the Nations life. Shall we survive or
perish-live or die? That's the question Of
every patriots heart morning, noon, and
night the first when he wakes, The last
ere he sleeps constant, ever pressing; it
demands and will have an answer. It tries
the very soul. 1t postpones or subordi-
mates every other question, for all else worth
having is involved in its solution.
Holt, Dix. johnson, Grant, Rosecrans,
Butler and hosts Of loyal and patriotic men.
of the Democratic as well as of the Repub
lican party, have nobly responded to this
question and have been ready to offer up
their lives, and thousands upon thousands
have offered up their lives.
So Mr.. Douglas, with his clear and gifted
mind, saw at a glance, what he declared al
most with his dying words-so long as this
war lasts, SO long as rebels are in arms
against the government, all political issues
are swallowed up in the greater issue of ma
tional life !; national unity; the supremacy
of the Constitution He said in substance
while the war lasts there can be no issue
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