The mountain Democrat., 1863-07-11
A Remarkable Speech.


on the 4th Of last month, after speeches
by Hon. VIM. KeHOgg; aH17 SO~aVO"~ >SS-
little, of Wisconsin, Hon. Lyman Trum.
bull, Republican United States Senator
for Illinois, was introduced, and made q
speech, which seems to attract considera.
ble attention:
Mr.. Trumbull said It is rather embar.
RAISING to attempt to speak to an audience
which insisted on hearing some one else.
but solemn convictions Of duty compelled
him to speak, when. under Sr6t0avy cir
cumstances he would have remained 81
lent.
He did not come to inflame their pas
sions, already too much aroused. Their
country was in danger, and they must
look the peril in the face. No adjectives
he could pile up, no vile names he could
apply to those who do not agree with him,
calling them copperheads and traitors,
would assist in arresting this rebellion or
in asserting the supremacy Of the consti-
tuition and the laws. He did not desire
to inspire them with hurrahs, but he
wished to talk to their cool judgments,
and inspire them through appeals to their
reasons.
The times, he said, are grave | A ma.
jority of the people Of our State are taking
ground against the Administration-and
why? In the name Of Heaven, why is
thiss Twill tell you why; I will point
out to you some of our mistakes that they
may bo corrected in the future. The rea-
son is, we have not adhered to David
Crockett's motto, BE sure you are right
and then go ahead ! A voicc-'We are
always right1 Ihave lived long enough
to know that am not infallible, perhaps
you are; have some respect for the opin-
ion Of others.
One Of our mistakes is that we have
allowed our opponents to make false is
sues. But this is not the worst. The
great charge, the charge that has damaged
the Administration above all others, is
that VIC are in.favor of the exercise of ar.
bitrary power, that we are opposed to the
freedom of speech and opinion, TO the
freedom Of the press, in favor Of curtail.
ing personal liberty, and in favor of a des-
potiSm.
Now We should not allow these things
We have been the advocate OF free speech
for the last forty years, and should not
allow the party during which the whole
time has advocated the gag, TO usurp our
place.
We are fighting for the restoration Of
the Union and the preservation Of the
constitution, and all the liberties it guar
antees to every citizen. And it makes me
feel bad when ! hear some honest friend,
brimming full of patriotism, say he does
not care for the constitution and does not
want to have it forced into his way, or
thrust in his face until the war is over.
The rebels cannot thrust it in his face, for
they have no rights under it--no rights
under it save the right to be tried and
hung for treason. Applause.
In certain districts the military law is
supreme. General Grant is in command
of an army in the State of Mississippi,
which is in revolt. Will any one deny
his right u make arrests, his right to sup
press newspapers, and to level fire, like
those around you tonight, in order to get
a range for his guns? No. And yet
these are all arbitrary powers. But these
exercises Of it are not the troublesome
cases. The great difficulty is in those
districts where rightful civil government
is in operation where the judicial tribu-
nails are open, and the laws respected
the laws which afford remedy for every
wrong.
AS rule, we must remember that the
CIyII In IL, N fhn FV,fliko las
and the cases are rare, very rare, where
the rule can be reversed. II here revolves
itself into the plain, naked question Of
whether the President and his Generals,
by the simple clicking of q telegraph in.
strument, can cause the imprisonment of
4, b or Cy II one General caG do it,
another can do it, and where is the end ?
who will fix the limit? [Great sensation
and murmurS.
Do you propose to interfere with the
ballot box? [Cries of mol MOI Never
Never! from all parts of the meeting
| am glad to hear you say that, and glad
you are so unanimous. Did it ever occur
to you that the next election may put an
entirely diferent face upon affairsV The
next election may bring great and deplor-
able changes, when Valandigham and
men of his class may determine who are
to be arrested. [Cries Of NO! that can
never be- Never, never from oil parts OF
the crowd.] Well, gentlemen. there is no
use in closing your eyes to the facts that
exist around you on every side. l told
you came here to address myself to your
reason and not to your passions, and in
view Of that light | ask you who are be-
ing elected Governors of loyal States p
who compose a majority of the Legisla-
ture Of the loyal State Of Illinois, and who
was recently elected mayor of her princi-
pal and most loyal city. and in view Of
these facts, what may the future not have
in store? [Cries Of 'Jennison,' Music.
We don't want to hear you You sent
a telegram to the Pre>ident.] know |
am distasteful, but am not truthful?
would claim your reason diveSted of pas
sion.
The same chalice you hold to the lips oi
your adversaries to-day, tomorrow may
be returned to your lips. Would you like
to drink oft Close our eyes as we may,
there is no safety for US, no safety for you
and and every American citizen, now
and in the future, but in an unvAry ng ad.
herence to the constitutional landmarks oi
our Fathers. further and louder cries
Of 'Jennison,' Music, and much dissatis'
faction.]
You are wrong-it is your greatest and
gravest lnistake-in allowing your adver'
saries to place you in the position Of be-
ing opposed to the constitution. [Cries
for 'Jennison,' and give US somebody
else. | see that am distasteful, but
cannot help it, and will not detain you
long.
Who is there among you who does no
believe in adhering strictly to the consti
tuition in these times. and extending tC