Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-09-26
Speech of Senator DOOiitsie at
Springfield.

Springfield.
The following ringing speech was
made by Senator DooLITrLE, of this
State, at Springfield, Illinois. on the ev-
ming prior to the great mass meeting
1t is brief, but to the point:
Fellow CITIZENS: War, war and .iot
peace, is our true situation. War, with
ali It's necessities; with all its responsible
tiles; with all its solemn and sacred du-
ties is upon us. We cannot withdraw
from it if we would. As vet it has been
war against traitors alone; though
bloody and terrible il has been eli, il war
only. But ali who look beyond, may
see looming on the distant horizon, the
dark clouds of a foreign war. gigantic in
its proportions; a war on sea and on
land. which, unless averted. will bring in
its train the upheaving Of the world.
War, then, Is the issue, the fearful,
dominant Issue CT The hour. 1t trans
cends al! others. Its stern logic postpones
all others, for its solution involves all 9TH
err. And n solution it demands, and
will have, before ali others.
Until that solution comes l have no
heart to discuss minor issues, nor any sub
iect which does not bear directly upon it..
Fellow citizens, the war in which We
are engaged is war for national life: u
war for national unitv;a war for rcpubl;
can institutions; & war for constitutional
republican g0vcrnment, without which
there can be no political Liberty for man,
whit: or black.
In truth, we are fighting the great
battles OF our Revolution over again.
The war We wage is war for tho rig hts
of man; war for national independence,
threatened and impered, too, by treason
at home and Intervention from abroad.
And nothing can solve Tat issue but the
sword. In my Judgement, all of our
present duty is Comprised ia these few
words: "Fili up tho ranks. Push on
the column"
Ii we would save our national life, We
must fight on.
If we would preserve the National
Union, we must fight until rebellion
yields.
If we would maintain our national in
dependence, we must fight on until vie
tory.
IL we would maintain republican insti-
tutions on this continent; in spite Of do
mestic treason. and European ;nt6rten-
ton, we must f ght and conqdef all our
foes.
We stand in the van guard Of nations,
and, il we would maintain christian civ
!lization, based upon the equal rights 81
man, in social state, where the single
pair. with their offspring, constitute the
family, agenst the ancient order of Ash
attic civilization, based upon the patti
archal system, slavery and concubinage,
we must fight OH, and fight this battle to
the end.
Ii we would maintain, for ourselves
and our children, the blessings of liber-
tv, we must fight, AMI sustain the Con
st;tution of our fathers, for liberty is the
corner stone.
If We would give slavery its death
blow, we must fight until we overthrow
that confederacy, which makes slavery It's
corner stone; aye-we must crush It,
grind It to powder, and bury that corner
stone. forever, under its ruins.
II; by sacredls preserving our own. we
would niaittdn an example Of Constitu
tional liberty, for all mankind, we must
fight on and fight it thr ugh.
If we would maintain our national
credit, at par. at home ms well as abroad ;
if we would command the money of the
world, we must Fl ght until We gain vic;o-
ry upon tittoty.
From the midst of this struggle, which
ever way we look. it is all the same
| Upon all sides the same aspect greets us
all voices speak the same language 10 US.
If we look into ourselves, to orr own
good alone, the only word whispered 10y
.sthe still small voice" from the depths
of our being, is, flight on"
II we looh beyond ourselves, to the
good of our fellow men, the only answer
+ coming to us from all who love liberty
throughout the world. is eight on"
| If we look up into Heaven, the answer
comes back to us ia thunder tones
flight on fight it through. This is the
great battle of God Almighty for th(
1 freedom of the world q
Since the days of our revolution, ne
] people have ever been tried, as we now
are, by the necessities and responsibilities
OF this great crisis in human affairs.
NV most earnest prayer to heaven is
that we may be equal to the crisis, aud
understand the epoch in which we iiye.
thank you for the kind attention will
which YOU have listened to me tonight
may address you more at length to
morrow.