The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-07-01
John lsrough,s speech.


We commend to the careful perusal of the
people, the able and eloquent speech of Mr..
Brough, inserted on the first page of this
weeks Democrat. 1t is the production of no
ordinary mind. 1t embodies, manifestly, the
outspoken sentiments of frank, honest, pa
triotic man. Every sentiment, every express
sion, may not find a full accord in the mind
of every reader, yet, there is little to dissent
from. and much to admire and applaud
Taking into account the speakers anteoe-
dents, and prejudices, and partialities of po-
litical education and association, the speech,
as a whole, is remarkable for its elevation of
views, statesmanlike enunciation, clearness
and candor. It is devoid of the small-fry
clap-trap of mousing aspiring partisans, but
speaks forth those swords of truth and So
berness" which are fragrant with the spirit of
manhood, and that true devotion to ones
country, which has ennobled patriotism in all
the generations of man.
Mr.. Brough, though no abolition fanatic"
DuG a democrat Oh Gu0 SGTalGeSJ SeCb ali
his life, has the clear vision to discern, and
the manly boldness to arraign the accursed
cause of the great woe that now rests upon
us as Nation. He says:
"But in regard to the whole question of
slavery, in connection with the war, say to
you, my friends, that you may set your minds
perfectly at rest on the subject. make the
prediction here to-day, and am not the first
man who made it, for but repeat what 9TH
ers have said, that IN so far as the political
character Of slavery as concerned, it persisted
s0itb the sound of the first gun at Charleston
[Great applause. Itis utterly and totally
dead, and can never be revived. For this, if
for no other reason, the Northern people can
never admit the institution into the nation
again, even upon an adjustment of the pres
ent difficulties, which could hereafter at any
moment plunge them into a civil war. Ap-
plause.1 You never will settle this contest,
whether by arms or diplomacy, without re-
moving the cause that produced it. If you
should, you would not be worthy of the free
institutions bequeathed you by your fathers.
[Great applause. So you may dismiss all
this matter of policy; it is an old song, sung
several times too often.''
There fell the utterance of an honest man
who sees, and seeing fails not to grapple brave
ly with the giant evil of our times, the ma
lign spirit of whose devotees has plunged us
into bloody civil war, and has driven the
Union and the Government, tottering, to the
very verge of ruin.
How favorably do the noble words of John
Brough, in this great speech, compare with
the partisan gibberish of the trucking spawn
of disloyal "peace conventions" who fly
chattering to " the Union as it was, and the
Constitution as it s,'' and abase themselves
before the armed ruffians of the rebellion, who
despise e the Union as it was" and trample
upon "the Constitution as it is" and by every
art and stratagem of cruel, relentless war
seek to whelm the Union, Constitution and
Government, in one common ruin.
We close by saying, read, ponder upon, and
inwardly digest the great truths avouched in
the Marietta speech of the Union candidate
for Governor of Ohio, and in his true ane
stirring words remember, that 't You soillneUe1
settle this conflict, soletber By arms on diploma
| cy, a0itho.tt renouiag THE CAUSE that produce
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