The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-02-20

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GREAT
SPEECH on EX-GOVERNOR WRIGHT
OF INDIANA,
Delivered In the AtheneNm ON Tues
day Evening, Feb. II, 1868.

Esqrs Vice Presidents.
Judge Love introduced the speaker,
Elk Gov. WRIGHT, OF Indiana, in brief
review of the eminent public services OF
the speaker, abiding in the highest terms
of encomium to his Berlin letter, and the
early stand he took in favor Of the Gov
eminent and in answering opposition to
the terrible and suicidal doctrines of Sc
cessionism.
The Judge in his closing remarks apt
ly set forth the true Union sentiment Oh
the great maj ority of our people, which
necessarily discards bitter party strife
and animosi.ies at this time, and made
an eloquent appeal to all classes of socie-
ty, whether Greek or Barbarian, jew or
Gentle, Christian or Infdel, and all
races, American, German, Irish, man or
Cossack, to unite in one common party 10
opposition to treason and for the main
tenance of the Government and our glo-
rious institutions. IA A&AA2a4
SPEECH OF GOV. WRIGHT.
The speaker commenced by saying, if q
person wants to know how we'll he loves
his country, let him travel abroad. At
home We overlook and do moi appreciate
the thousands of blessings which we con
stantly enjoy.
GRAVE OF LAFAYETTE.
When in Paris last, he remarked, in
company with q young Americans, yisi
ted the grave of Lafayette. AS we talked
over the great struggle Of the Revolution,
and the part that was taken in it by this
illustrious here. who volunteered his SER
vices and the services of large band OF
devoted followers, and VIM had oontribu-
ted his private fortune for the cause OF
freedom and humanity, the question arose,
Are all these mbers to be lost :" Was
all the blood of the Revolution split iu
vainy Are the names and memories oil
Washington aud Lafayette, which are en-
shrlned in the hearts best affections Of
all true Americans, to be despised b,
those who have Inherited the rich bless
inss which their labors secured Ii can
not be. Though in the nidst Of civil
strife, OF gloom aud darkness. OF doubts
and dependency, OF succeeding hopes
and fears, We will not believe that these
self-sacrihcing, noble and patriotic deed.
are to be lost to the country and tn.
world.
The speaker said it was not his inten.
tion, IN the history Of the country, to re-
view all the causes, remote and near, which
brought about the rebellion He Nigh
do SO, but what good would come Of it
The ouly question for each one Of u
now u, WHAT'S my duty to-day I Fac
day page of our country's history is BE-
ing written, and it is for Ms to see that
is written right. We are dealing Wit
great living facts, and these claim our a
tention.
ABoLITIoNISM AND sECEssIoKIsM.
We hear great many pratins abo,
abohtlonism and secessionism, alwa,
putting abolitionism FIRST. Why is ihis
What has abolitionism done? Did it i,
bel against the Government, steal o,
arms and forts, murder our citizens an
attempt TO destroy our free institutions
All, can tsll you Of m isas that 10 dom
oil Of this. The personal liberty bill
aud stay lava OF some Of the States hay
had . great deal said about them. Blu
these were no sufficient cause for rebel
lion. Impoltic acts with reference 1
the Genera Government have been passn,
by States North and South, but mind yo,
these were not cited in the start a tn
originating cause Of the rebellion. Jeffer
son Davis did not excuse his career o.
the tenable ground of the fright Of revo
luton" which every people possess i
cases Of insupportabls oppression. Nc
he placed It on the ground Of the nlaH
OF secession. That the Governments Va
mere confederation of States--s.a ron
OF sand" which could be broken q
pleasure by any Of the divisions or mem
bers. The power Of any State to seced
from the Union. he claimed, was con
sututional night. He knew there was q
just cause for revolution, and 50 b
placed It on the Calhoun heresy of uBtat
rights. He knew that this was the ben
Government on earth, and no man ooui
truly cay be had been oppressed or a
gnsved By it. The rights Of each m
ail had always been respected and protec,
Cd by it.
But what IL accession? It is pothin,
more or less than anarchy. 1t is, as
stated 10 MY letter from Berlin, the en-,
OF MI Government. If recognised, Their,
could be no security to life or propert,
anywhere. No Government ever aid 8
ever could tolerate such q moDstrou,
idea. No, our Government vas frame,
and cenented together as something NOR
Than mere loose confederation Of iStste6
II was solemn. binding. perpetual com
Pact-. holy marriage sacranent- stall,
ana enduring power that Is worth the III
o. every man In It /; and if anybody didn'
Deheve ", the sooner he went South tn
better. Cheers ~