Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-05-07
Address by Samuel Price,


Address by Samuel Price,
DELIVERED BEFORE THE LOYAL UNION
LEAGUE OF BARNEsvILLE, OHIO,
APRIL Is, 1868.
Mr.. hc9dmf and Gentlemen ofthe Leogue:
1t seems, to rejecting mind, q strange
purpose that brings us together in close or
ganization, as Loyal League to protect,
defend and uphold the American Union.
Stranger still, seems the fact, that such or.
ganizations are Of abolute necessity. Can
any man, or set of men, become by any
course Of reasoning or action, so infatuated
as to plot the overthrow Of that Govern
ment admitted the best in the world? So
prjudiced us TO conspire against the best
interest, not only of the nation at large, not
otly Of their friends and fellow citizens. but
Of themselves? Such thought seems to
be too monstrous and prero,tcrous, for
moment to be entertained. Yet fearful and
stubborn facts confirm the dread reality
We are in the midst OF civil war. The
blood red hand Of rebellion is lifted up
throughout large portion of our land
Our nation is struggling amid the ,hroes Of
a revolution Of such fearful character, that
the history of recorded time can furnish no
Ia Iallel. Initiated, carried on, and upheld
hy few thousands of petty aristocra,ical
de- pots, who, disappointed in their urged y
schemes of political ambition, have turn d
their hands, deep dyed in corruption, guilt,
and blood of their fellow man, against the
Government that for well nigh a century,
projected then, it, every right, AMI shielded
them from every wrong. The Government
framed by their fathers, and shaped and
controlled in large minority Of its years OF
existence by themselves. Reckless of these
facts. and maddencd by temporary political
defeat. they inaugurute civil war, and lay
waste with relentless hand, the fairest por.
tions of the American States. Turned an
earthly paradise into desert waste, scatter.
cd misery 4 wrctchedness broadcast through
the lund-sent mourning and weeping and
signing to thousands Of disconsolate hearts,
brought ruin and dismny to numberless Of
once happy homes. They wade through
slaughter to seats of power, and read their
history in nations tears" and threaten,
in their proposed triumph to destroy the
hest and Iurest Government on Garth
Amazing as these things could seem to be,
we have daily experience oil their truth and
aud reality.
But how much more astounding is the
fact in the midst of the people against
whom this dreadiully wicked and causeless
rebellion is wascd thousands of men should
tc iturd lase onorrh to .ymruthize with,
and lend aid and comfort to those in open
arms against US. Men who really have nc
interest, but loyalty, in common with The
rebels, yet can plot with them the nation
overthrow. Men that enjoy all the im
munities, privileges, and blessings of ou
glorious system of Government, are direct
ly or indirectly, purposely or ignorantly
pursuing that course OF conduct that viii
uost assuredly, If accomplished, end in th'
disgrace, ruin and downfall of the Republic
That Thousands Of such men exist VIII,
secretly or openly advocate the cause of th'
rebels, and are deluding by their lyinl
: sophistries. and sinister designs, vast mum
bers of people who nre honest in loyal pur
poses, We need no further evidence thar
personal and daily experience. We SCI
them upon every hand. We hear then
continually harpine upon some imaeinar.
wrong, or violation Of some constitutions
law, or some iy,snnieul oppression Of ou
Government, but never word in referenc
to any fault OF the rebels. JEFF. Davis, an
d all his followers, may be the purest Of pa
triots, the best of saints, and the wisest Q
men for aught we Gun learn Of them. The
always sing dumb on that question, but uI
loud in dcclni nation, and foul inouihed j
expression, in reference to the imaginar
wrongs Of their own Government. An
not only are they engaged in conspiracie
among themselves against the interests {
, the hand, but We have it upon the testimon
y Of Lord Lyons, English ambassador /
Washington, that the leaders Of these tra
:, tors frequently consulted him in referene
lie to foreign interference in our affairs, repr,
senting that tho Administration woul
gladly avail itself Of the aid Of those pov
ers, if England did not first move it, thoug
the most probable result of such interfe
ence they admitted would be dissolution
nIU.sn
This fact win account at once Why EN-
land, our greatest foe, held back, viii
Francs, our bossted friend, was induced
make the proposal of . humliating srni
, tice. The publication ofthis correspondent
B in the English Blue Book, Of recent dat
has fallen, like . bomb-shell in the camp
=, unsuspecting rebels, among the leaders
3. 81 our modern Democracy. And they haste
with utmost speed to shunits crushing bio