Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1863-03-20
Vol. VIII.---No. SO,

~ SJNN'ioh "NONptdplo W tu0 pTUuu
and sensitive race? At this day Poland,
struggling in her chains with hopeless
desperation, is answering the question.
When look about me and see this spa
cious hall filled with enlightened gentle
men, clothed with great power and with
great responsibilities, am amazed that,
with all this concentration of intellect
upon one subject, no means can be de-
vised to accomplish political end with
out converting the country into shambles
anc its people into butchers.
How the problem may be resolved I
know not; but know that it is not in
process of solution while armies are in
the field While the energies of men on
either side are concentrated upon warliko
measures, it is impossible for their minds
to dwell with deliberation upon expedi-
ents for peace. 1t is no time to argue
the terms of peaceable adjustment with
a duellist when his finger is on the trig-
ger; he must first be invited to lower
the instrument Of death. The intellect
of our statesmen is now preoccupied with
war; their natures, mental and moral,
are under the control Of that feverish ex-
element created by the contemplation Of
the changing fortunes Of desperate and
bloody struggle. Grant them an inter-
val of reposo a respite from the abso-
Lutte tyranny that war exerts over the
feelings of mankind, and their thoughts
will revert into natural channel, and
will seek to unravel these disordered po-
litical meshes with the patient labor of
the brain. From US, as being materially
the stronger party, the proposition for an
armistice can come with good grace. -
Let wise and just men from all the States
assemble in convention if then, sir no
honorable peace can be secured, my faith
in human nature will have passed away.
Sir, before that solemn conclave would
come as an advocate the ghost Of the de-
parted year, with all its mournful memo
ries, with its hundreds of thousands Of
CHASTITY spectres, with its record of an
guish, bereavement and desolation and
its warning finger would point to vision
in the future, in scmblance Of itself, but
more hideous thousand fold. They
would not dare TO mock the warning
Passion and prejudice would shrink from
the presence of that awful past. 1t would
not be a gathering of excited partizans,
but council Of grave men, assembled
in the interest Of humanity, in the same
spirit of searching as physicians
celebrating to chase away pestilence.
Sir, such convention would never ad-
journ to renew the signal of civil strife.
They might fail to fulfil to the utmost
the hopes of their constituents; they
might concede too much on one side or
the other; but never, from their calm
judgment-seats, would they launch again
the thunderbolts of war upon our already
bleeding and exhausted country.
Sir, you may have observed that | have
spoken without regard to the views of
other men, or the doctrines of political
organizations. If | stand alone, my iso-
lation conjures up no phantoms of doubt
or fear. While my country groans be-
meath the stroke Of her own dagger, l
forswear all allegiance to party What
ever proposition, in my mind, shall en-
hance the prospect of peace shall have
my vote. Peace is the goal Of my poll
teal course, the haven Of my hopes. I
care not by whose chart steer, or whose
hand shall guide the helm, SO that the
compass shall point thitherward. Who
ever shall raise its standard shall find mo
ready to serve beneath its folds. Who
ever shall raise the olive branch for his
device shall have me his adherent. In
whatever shape the demon of destruction
shall appear, I will oppose him. In what
ever garb the spirit Of Peace shall clothc
her radiant form | will embrace her,
Cancellation, compromise or separation,
each shall be acceptable to me if, as its
consequence, VIC shall be spared the
scourge Of war.
Let the most jealous emancipationist
suggest cessation Of hostilities and |
am with him. Let the staunchest mem
Der Of the opposition uphold the war,
and ] am against him. | have no sym
pathies with those who denounce the adj
ministration, and yet call for vigorous
hostilities. In my view the abolitionist
is more honest politician and more
conscientious citizen. He is a fanatic
not mere time server; wrong, but con-
sistent in his wrong; tho worshipper Of
a false god, but earnest in his alteration.
Would that all who denounce him were
as sincere and as bold in the expression
of their opinion have striven to avoid
invechve, but ] cannot repress my scorn
for that American citizen who, at such
time as this, fashions his words accord
ing to the exigencieS Of party, or in
tho mould Of public opinion They plead
that the people are not prepared for tho
naked truth. Sir, in this crisis, truth
may destroy the utterer, but it may save
his country.
Let the friends Of peace proclaim them
selves as such. Let them not fear to DO
premature. This day is not one day too
soon for their lips to assert what their
hearts know 10 be true. If the people
ara not nrnnared LET ma commence tho