Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-06-03
Spec ch of John j. Crittenden-His Re-
buke to Northern Peacemongers-The
support of the Government Every
Mans First DUTY.

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. MIR. Crittenden
is by no means an abolitionist or radi-
cal he has all his life been distinguished
yet, while disapproviHg 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 ''an
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 Confiscation 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
all-notwithstandin their adoption,
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
fob oil he
sary--till the rebellion is put down. |
was dissatisfied with the policy of the
Administration. | thought it my duty 10
tell Congress and the government that we
thought these measures were impolitic
and unconstitutional. But still ii 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 enGroachments on the
constitution and their rights.
81 am, therefore, for the prosecution of
the war until it shall have accomplished
it's end. To the dissolution OF this Union
| never will subscribe. | am en- old man,
and could shuttle out the few remaining
days of my life without being compelled
to sanction proposition tor the dsmem-
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 SOUS have
gone off into its service. Yes, the rebels
say, we will have Kentucky anyhow; it
isn't worth while for her to struggle You
have, therefore, something more than
general interest In this war; you have
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 20 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 -
[Grest 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 q withdrawal
of men and means for the support of The
war:
{" 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. Win |
that better the matter? Will that course |
save you, and save our glorious country |
ard government If you offer no resist
ance, you surrender TO it, and lose your
manhood. 1t is not By denouncing the |
gieaos Of the President, it is not by the |
language OF passion and reproach that err
rors In public affairs can be righted. and |
the government conducted successfully.
You are portion OF the people of the
United States; act in a 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:
''The 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
of freedom will rot per-
NIT our government TO go down and leave
the world in gloom. l have faith; there
is a Divinity above that shapes all cur
ends and He will shape the destiny OF our
patton. Its career has only Just begun,
and Providence does not permit half fD-
shed WORK of such momentous p-opor-
lions to fail and be abandoned and
rust in God, that We, the people, do not
intend it. Our hearts must be filled with
he noble determination to maintain the
integrity OF our government, while we
grow greater and greater, mightier and