The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-03
Speech of the Honorable J0hn J. Crit
tenden, I'm Philadelphia.

When Mr.. Orittenden passed through
Philadelphia, last week, on his way home,
a number of his friends assembled at the
Girard House, and rendered him the COM
pliment of a serenade. After the band
had played the ''Star Spangled Banner, +"
Mr.. Crittenden came upon the balcony
with Charles J. Biddle and others. He
was loudly cheered on his appearance, and
said:
/ thank you, gentlemen, for this express
sion of your kindness. am a stranger to
you, and merely enjoying the Inequalities
Of your splendid city as pass on my way.
1t is quite possible, in this time of excite
ment, that your curiosity may be gratified
in hearing what may have to say in rela
ton to the condition of our country. 1
have very little to say. The times are
sad, and full of excitement and difficulty.
The American people nave sworn to exer-
else their best wisdom and courage to res
cue the country from its danger. 1t is in
vain to cavil and revile, and endeavOr to
trace back this war to it's cause, and
assign a reason for what we see Yes
terday the, country was prosperous and
happy. How sad it is to every re-
tecting man to think that this should not
be our condition now? War is a great
calamity, but civil war is infinitely more
lamentable. 1t brings with it sorrows,
mischiets, and griets, even if we are victo-
rious. If we are victorious, we see that it
is over the blood of our brother-no mat
ter what form our triumphs may assume,
it is not the less the blood Of brothers.
AT the same time we have great duty to
perform. We must fight this war in ODE
dience to a just instinct to maintain the
liberties our fathers left u.s. This is the
cause in which we see SO many brave
hearts engaged. say to my brethren in
Congress and out of it, t. you, my fellow
citizens, and my fellow-citzens every
where, that ! do not fight because | hate
the South. | love the South. [Applause.
fight because it is my duty to maintain
so. [ honor the pride that | see every
where exhibited in behalf of the country.
At the same time, while shall DO any
thing that the Government may require,
there have been acts which | do not like
and at which | may justly complain.
In the prosecution of this war, improper
things have been done. do not render
blind obedience. Truth is strong, and
must prevail, and it must make our cause
triumphant We do not make war for the
mere etfusion of Blood or because we love
it like murderer. do not wage it in
hatred; wage it because it is a duty, and
hn,oucn I laCira tho of tho
Government and the Union. Applause.
The time will not permit, fellow-citizens,
nor will my condition allow me to say
many words upon this subject. [Cries of
SEQ on!"l do not believe the country
will be cut down. | do not believe that
this country, which rises like a mighty
and majestic column among the nations of
the past, is to be rudely thrown down and
destroyed. | believe we have a future,
and that this war will long give us future
permanence and greatness loud ap-
pause and three cheers for John J. Crit
tenden,] and that no matter what trials
may betal our country there is still Di-
vinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew
them how we may. Applause If we have
now and then foolish rulers, we have
wise people and the man who has not
got understanding enough to know when
his liberty is trampled upon is not fit to
live under the blessings of a free Govern
ment. l believe in the peolpe. / believe
their destiny is in the hands of God above,
and that liberty shall be preserved. Our
people will do it. Allow me to thank you
for your kindness. l am stranger here
[Cries of eve know you'll Let the
Cabinet and the President do what they
have determined. Judge them frankly
and literally, and never fail to protest
against any violation of the Constitution
[Applause.l Nor let any member Of the
Government transgress. People are very
easily habituated to encroachments upon
their liberties. The syren song was fatal
to the listeners. A people should not dis
regard the Constitution and allow it to be
broken. They should advise the Gov
eminent to change its course. 1t is no
unkindness to make this request. Justice
is sure to make us succeed. That which /
want to see us leave to our children is
name that shall never die, and that
they shall not be ashamed to own. No
people should live long enough to make
boast of the great etfusion of blood. A
people who suffer themselves to be abased
can never be exalted. We are not living
for ourselves. If we were, we wonld have
little to live for. We are living for great
and free country. We expect the light of
freedom and self-goverment to shine for
ever. We don't know what we are in the
sight of the world. We live in a peculiar
age. All is to be lost or won. We are
fighting battles, not of hate or vengeance,
but upon the highest principles of honor;
for cause, not tor blood, but for freedom
and the institutions of civilization. Zap
plause.] That is what we fight for, or the
battle is not worth the sacrifice. What
man would be content but with the whole
country with this Gland of the brave and
the home of the free?" the inheritance
that our fathers gave us, and the Govern
ment that Washington builded? Zap
plause.] Who would not strive to preserve
the integrity of the country that must re-
main one, or be source of sorrow and
strife for ages to come? Let US unite like
band of brothers. We can succeed, and
will succeed. [Great applause.l
Let us say like Homer that it is not in
hate hut for honor tho chiofc oop+onJ