The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
SPEECH OF
HI ON. j. ID. O.CONNOR
OF MONROE,

In the Ohio Senate, February %, 1863, on
the proposed amendment to strike out the
,oord +" "loudoble" in the Welsh ResoM-
tions, and insert the aoords &c constitu-
tiondl"
Concluded.
Mr.. Gunckel-I would like to know
from the Senator from Monroe, if Jeff.
Davis was not member of the Democratic
party?
Mr. O'Connor-He was; and so was
Judas at one time member of the
Apostolic body, but as the sacredness and
efficiency of the mission of the Apostles
was not impaired, much less destroyed by
the apostacy of Judas, do not presume
that the sacredness or efficiency of the
mission of the Democratic party will be
impaired or destroyed by the apostacy of
JEFF Davis.
Mr.. MeLung-Mr. President, the Sen
ator from Monroe, is not inclined to argue
fairly. Now, sir, while he seeks to fasten
the Republican party to these extreme
men, wish to know from the Senator if
he indorses Mr.. Vallandigham?
Mr.. O'Connor-Mr President so far as
the principles and sentiments enunciated
by me agree with the principles and sem
timents expressed by Mr.. Vallandigham,
do indorse him. So far as his sentiments
and principles disagree with those | enun-
ciate here, / do not indorse Mr.. Vallan-
digham.
Mr.. Senator from Monroe
does not manifest his usual candor. What
[ want to know from him is this, Does he
| or does he not indorse Mr. Vallandigham
in his recent speeches On the conduct Of
the war? want a direct answer.
| Mr.. O'Connor-I knew, Mr.. President,
| that my very good friend from Miami was
wincing under this exposition, but [ was
not aware that he was so sorely worried
over it, and [ fear, as | am not in the
habit of making speeches upon this floor,
that the gentleman frequent Interruptions
are calculated and designed to bewilder
me, and prevent me from returning to the
| subject But as [ have been associated,
/ by reading at least, all morning, with Yam
KEGS, I will for the once avail myself of a
Yankees privilege and answer the ques-
ton of my friend from Miami by asking
him another He will remember that
during the discussion of the socalled "legal
tender resolutions upon this floor last
winter, some OF his Republican friends
uttered the following sentiment 81 do
not think our Democratic friends on the
other side of the house ought to be such
sticklers for the Constitution think we
might slightly infringe upon it during
these war times" I want to know if my
friend from Miami indorses this sentiment
of his Republican colleague?
/ MIR. McLung-The Senator from Mon
roe can't come any of his Yankee ovel
me. l asked him a fair question, and
desire a candid answer.
i Mr. O'Connor-The gentleman wincel
more sore than ever, but | have still
another one to PROFOUND to him, and thi
time | shall demand categorical answer
At the same time here upon the hool
+ of the Senate of Ohio prominent membu
$ oil my friend declared in stentorian voice
that he was tired of all this fuss abou
i the Old Constitution when this rebellion
lis put down, then we will return to th;
Old Constitution that Democrats make s.
much fuss about" Now, sir, 1 ask m
good friend from Mimi if he indorses tli
sentiment, and [ wish him to remembe
J that l have in advance demanded cate
corical answer l want him to be candid
: Mr.. McLung-I. will be candid
answer that do not indorse such senti
! ments uttered here or elsewhere. Nov
!, question.
J, Mr.. O'Connor-My friend has all tn
elements ola good Democrat in him if h
Is would only change his associations an
inhale different atmosphere.
q Mr.. McLung-No fattery, Docto
Answer my question.
Mr.. O'Connor-I will be as candid /;
the gentleman from Miami. have bee
busy at work on committees and have NJ
read Mr. Vallandigham's speeches-col
- sequently, can not say whether I agre
or disagree with him.
Il Mr. McLung-Why did you not say s
. at first?
), Nj. O'Connor-You did not give n
the opportunity. m g8
Now, Mr.. President, I propose to r
turn and do what perhaps from his positio
I should, as matter of preference ha,
~ uouc III 1HC htSs Pido0 ehao 10, LIN uOHe
a Old Abe to Stephen Foster. In ord
re to do this, let me quote from speee
re made by Mr.. Foster in February, 1862:
n eve have something else to do besid
by giving the negro his freedom. We mu
n, put him in the Senate and admit him
he the social circle. We have got to swallo
oy the negro whole, with all the wool on hil
he When we can do that, then we shall ha
re the millennium, and not till then. IF '
no are not prepared to do this, we had bett
ce fight on the Confederate side. I wou
&C. not support the Governmentin its prese
lie. position. I have endeavored to dissua
ID. every young man could from enlistin
lis then they were going to fight for slavery
re- Why were not Foster, Pillsbury al
his Trumbull arrested and cast into one
nd Abraham's bastiles? Did either of t
ID. eleven Democrats Of Ohio who were ;
rested last summer, give utterance to Sc
timents half as traitorous as these me
he The merest school-boy, in the history
IN our country for the last wear knows Fl