Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-10
0Ortester 4ailp Spg.
TIE DAILY spy.


NHNNS'iSS
prominent gentlemen. We print here
speech delivered on that occasion by Gen.
Burnside:-
LadieS and Gentlemen When I learned
that this meeting was to be presided over by
one whom l had always from boyhood loved
to call my chief-one whom | have learned to
admire-one ofthe noblest patriots and great
est captains of our land-I determined that
wo' Id depart from the rule which l had laid
down for myself, according to the wishes of
some Of my friends, by attending here this
evening, and promised at the same time to
make few remarks. Since | made that
promise, l have been every night in a rail-
road car, and occupied during day until this
morning, when | returned here, and during
this entire day have been by a sick bed, so
that not being in the habit Of speaking to as
large audiences as this, you must excuse me
il say but a few words to you. l am glad
that | came here this evening, because first, |
hope that | am rendering some aid to this
most Christian association in the great labor
OF humanity toward the soldiers in the field,
and feel it my duty, on all occasions, to do
all that have in my power to strengthen the
soldiers in the field, with whom have been
so lately connected in active service No one
knows better than l do the great value of the
labors which are wrought by your association,
and no one knows better than | do, tonight,
all the influence that it has upon our soldiers
no one knows better than | do the need that
the hands of this association should be strength
.ened and particularly at a time like the pre-
sent, when we are in anticipation of great
events in the field A few weeks may dem
onStrate more specially the need of the la
bors Of your delegates in the field. Great
battles must almost inevitably be fought
within few weeks. Large contending
forces are in the presence of each other
and as soon as the elements will permit them
to come in contact with each other, it is not
only fair to suppose, but it is almost impossi-
bic to avoid collision. In fact, 1t is neces-
sary that there should be collision, and that
increases the necessity for your delegates in
the held to be strengthened by your associa-
ton, and that your association be strengthen
ed by the sympathy and material aid of the
public. | am glad, therefore, that | have
come here this evening, because if by my in
Huence, by words, l can aid this association,
shall be glad because in doing that | strength
en- the army in the field, and by strengthen
ing the army in the field in whatever way,
am doing my duty and my pleasure-by
strengthening the government, and doing all
in my power to sustain it under all circum-
stances. Applause. You may expect me
to say few words in reference to the condi-
ton Of the army with which / have been so
lately identified. wrong impression is ex-
listing in the community with reference to that
condition. Some persons are Impressed with
the idea that the army is in demoraized
state. That is not the case. The soldiers
are as brave as ever they were. They are as
well clothed, well fed, well armed, and as
long as they are well are able to take care of
themselves Our officers are becoming more
pNppripDp p1 RI fHborn l.
alization in the field, which the conversation in
the street and in private circles would indi-
cate. There IS not that adherence to anu
special Princlpte TO any special set Of men, or
lars, on parties among the soldiers, as some
people indicate. They remember and appre-
cate, and feel that while it is noble and
grand to entertain personal friendship and per-
sonal love for their commander, they at the
same time fully realize that it Is ig-
nomnlous and low to give blind adher-
ehce to any man, to any name, or to any spe-
CHI; line of policy, either political or military.
They are in the field to give their whole
strength and energy in support of the govern:
ment. We make mistakes here at home which
probably have done some harm, and yet to no
great extent, and might do more if pursued
put think that our people in the main, when
they find themselves wrong, will generally
right themselves, and | think this mistake
will be righted. Many discouragng letters
have been written to soldiers in the field. We
should try to correct that, and write encour-
aging letters Many discouraging speeches have
been made, and in some cases public Journal
lists have written discouragng paragraphs,
which have fallen under their eyes, and some
discouraging Pamphlets have been written and
sent to the soldiers. All these things have
done harm, and conversations related to them
take place with the soldiers. | heard man
IN Washington the other day, near me-he
did not know me; l was in citizens dress,
and he was talking to half dozen admirers
about him-say that he wished and hoped to
see the guillotine established again; he want
ed to see the heads rolling from the block by
thousands. [ heard another man. who was
trying to show some special enthusiasm in IA
vor Of government-the administration-an
he was doing the administration harm at the
time. l heard another man, coming in the
cars, last night, talking to soldier, and he
talked in a strain that | call reasonable. He
was trying to impress this soldier with the
idea that he ought not to return to his duty
in the field-that this war had become a polit.
lcal war-that the president of the United
states, only he used very opprobuous cpl
met IN speaking of him, fighting for a
poiltlcal party-that these men were being sac
rlhced in the field for that purpose. This was
wrong. The soldier did not seem to believe
IT, lie did not seem to be of the same opin-
ION, and prayed that he would not be. There
are mistakes IN our private circle and in our
intercourse every way. | think at the same
time, we should entertain opinions with refer
ence to the policy of the government. 1t is
our duty to be temperate in our expressions
and use all the powers we have within the
limits OF the constitution to DO our duty to the
government as it now is. We are lighting
against the people of the south, simplv he
cause they did not want to live under = mos
ident elected in accordance with the constitn-
ton Of the United States, and | know we
would be doing very wrong to think for one
moment, of course, of attempting to force the
government Of the United States to give up
what the constitution gives it the right to do
The president of the United States has right
to maintain such people about him as he
pleases. The constitution gives him that.
lie has been elected for four years; half of his
term iS'gone; if the people don't like him, at
the end OF four years they can change their
policy. do not mean to say by this that the
people do not like him. l do not express my
opinion. But these are the things that are
demoralizng the army i'll the feld-but they
are not demoralizing it to any great extent.
am sure Of that 1t is demoralized proba-
ply no more than any large army in the field
mas been some time during its existence.
And now you will pardon me if simply close