Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-08-29
speech of senator DooIittIe.

Mr.. DooLITTLE, from the Committee
on Resolutions, submitted partial re-
port as follows:
RESOLVED, That. following the exam
pie Of Ohio and other loyal States,
this Convention presents the names OF
the persons nominated as Union men and
not as partizans; as men Of well known
and well tried loyalty to the Union and
the Constitution, without reference to
their POLITICAL antecedents; and we ask
al! the loyal electors of Wisconsin to give
them their support, without distinction of
party.
Senator DooL1rrLE accopanied the
above resolution with the following able
and patriotic remarks, received with
hearty applause;
Gentlemen of the Convention:- In
submitting the above resolution. | have
to say that we meet at time of great
responsibilities. We have come together
to discharge the highest civil duty
What is the state of affairs? What is tho
real situationf
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
al its plans, SO widespread, SO thorough
" armed were the conspirators, and SO
unsuspectins and unprepaired 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 beligerent
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 overthrow of our whole
system of government.
During all tina: period, for more than
two years, our country has been engaged
10 a fearful struggle for its very life. She
has to exert every power, she has bled at
every pore. At her call our sons have
gone to premature graves. But thanks to
God and our brave men in arms, our be-
loved country still lives! Our flag still
floats over the capitol at Washington,
mot star obscured; not stripe erased :"
We are still American citizens! Our re-
cent great victories it is true, bring great
encouragement, and give greater promise
of browning victories to come. But our
danger is by no means passed. That
fearful struggle of life and death still goes
on, and must still 90 on. until the end Of
the rebellion COMES. | know we haze
done much, but orr work is not finished.
In spite of disasters; in spite of some
mistakes; in spite OF the great disadvant-
ages under which we commenced this
struggle against armed rebellion; in spite
Of European sympathy and material aid !;
in spite of treason and all sympathSers
North and South in spite Of dangers by
sen and dangers by land; and dangers
among false brethren; we have steadily
and unfalter;ngly pushed on the great
work. the God given duty of maintaining
the supremacy aud integrity of the Con-
s,itution and Government of the United
States. We have opened the Mississippi
from its source to its mouth. We are
now batterinS down the walls of the fort
iess where the flag of the Gniou was first
Inundated at the feet of traitors, in the
harbor of Charleston, and trust, before
many weeks, we can raise it once more,
never to come down again, over that
wicked CITY, where treason has continued
to hatch its vile Iroods for quarter of a
century.
In answer to the sneers and jibes of
the English arlstocracy, the London
Times, the New York World, anil all
their sympathizers, in Europe as well as
in America, we can point TO our two
years of heard labor, trial, and sacrifice
of blood, and agony, and tears, and say,
'BeholJ the results" Maryland, Mis-
souri,, Kentucky, most of Tennessee,
much of Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisi-
ana, Virginia, and North Carolina, and
some even of South Carolina, Georgia,
Florida and Alabama. are once more I'M
der the flag Of the Union and the SUI
premacy of the Constitution. Under the
providence of God, by the heroic cxer-
tons of our army and navy, we have
redeemed from the rebellion country
greater and richer Ivy far than all of
France and Great Britain put together.
And yet let us not deceive ourselves
THIS cursed rebellion still lives; beaten, it
is true, but not discounted; driven back,
demoralized somewhat, but by no means
supposed. 1t still rears gigantic front.
1t sill aims at the Nations life. Shall
we survive or perish--live or die9 That's
the question rlof every patriots heart /;
morning, noon, and night; the first when
he wakes, the last ere be sleeps; constant,
ever pressing; it demands and will have
an answer. 1t tries the very soul. 1t
postpones or subordinates every other
question, for al else worth having is in
volved in its solution.
Holt, Dix, johnson, Grant, Rosecrans,
Butler and hosts of LOYAL and patriotic
men. of the Democratic rs well as of the
Republican parry, have nobly responded
to this question aud have been ready to
offar nm thair liyae op1 tbousopIo NM,