The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-07-08

tndlorlty NoVeu Tue inedStueS do"iii aiieA 'ii''e
is the history of Reputation in Ohio. The I
men who led in the movement were men OF
ability. They could mislead the people 10
some extent, but the masses after all discov-
cred the right and adopted it.
1t is just SO at the present time. a Dem
ocratic Convention has met at Columbus, and
has adopted what we all consider as un-
wise course. They have set forth doctrines
which are entirely wrong and they attempt to
force the people to believe them but they
will not succeed. The masses are, at the bot
tom of their hearts, truly loyal they are
honest in their support of our Government
they are desirous to put down the rebellion.
At present some may be misled but they
will soon have more serious and thorough
opinion. Mr.. Thurman, the other night, at
tempted to make point with the people on
| this wise "How could they be induced to
believe in the doctrines of men who vilfed
their opinions, their motives, and their inten-
tions ?'' Mr.. Thurman is wrong. 1t is not
| the people who are to blame. 1t is those who
set themselves forth as their leaders. The
great Democratic party is loyal. They will
act Alright; they think Alright. 1 have been
rea2ing to some friends letters from Demo-
Gratis in various portions of the State, and
what they say proves my assertion. The
people just now are deceived by cries that
'Peace could be made, if only the proper
men were in power to promote efforts in that
direction" desire peace as much as any
one, out say to those gentlemen who pro-
prose it thst want honor with that peace, and
guarantees for its future preservation. [Ap-
plause,] But what overtures have you made
that have been received with anything like a
reciprocal feeling? What propositions have
they offered. which could be accepted The
Richmond Enquirer scouts at the resolutions
of your Peace Conventions, and ridicules
them as cowardlv, contemplate, and the pro-
duction of miserable doughfaces. They de-
sire no peace which shall not be discussed as
between equal powers, government to govern
ment, the Border States on both sides of the
line to be left at liberty to choose their own
party. Is there any one here who is prepared
to grant them all this? [Cries, No, no.' ]
There is but one road to peace, and you must
seek it by force of arms, or submit to de-
grading subjugation yourselves.
The South has not gone into this war with
out an object For the last twenty-five years
they have been plotting the destruction Of
your Government They desired to change
your Institutions, and build up an oligarchy
founded on AfricaG slavery. They had pos
y, . session of your Executive, and turned it into
an engine to aid their purposes. They have
forced the present issue upon you. and yor
have nothing to do but fight it out, or turr
: your backs and submit to humiiating subjec
" ton. There is no middle course. That man
who is not with this Government to-day, i:
- against it. "But," say these reasoners " tn,
= Constitution gives us the right to discuss. ant
abuse the Government, and we'll sow th'
= seeds of disaffection in the army abroad, ant
: discourage enlistments at home, and to pre-
vent it you will establish military despot
ism.' They are already commencing thei
> work. In the Convention which preceded til
Convention on account of which 1 am nov
:, speaking, committee of twenty-three wer
appointed to draft resolutions. One of th
: committee, I am happyto say, most respec
table gentleman, has stepped aside. Cheers.
: Those resolutions, % in number, are al
Il against the conduct of the Government, an,
not one against the sympathizers with the re
bellion. In an abstract way these men ma,
: have the right thus to express themselves
but what right have they more than the To
y ries, who, in the time of the Revolution di
all they could to thwart the glorious design
:, of the heroic Fathers of the Republic Wha
right have they more than the members c
: the Hartford Convention, who opposed ou
second struggle for national honor and nation
al existence !? These men had perhaps q,td
. 81 legal right to act as they did and yet, no,
upon both generations there rests the pail {
> dshonor, the pail of shame, how the faint {
=, leprosy has taken possession of their bloot
q and the brand of pollution is upon the
brows, placed there by Divine Justice, as
was on the forehead of the first murderer, tn;
y men might know them ever after. [Cheers.]
Let no young man go with that faction
None can afford it. Let him regard the fee
. ings of those who come after him. Let hin
:, not give his posterity cause to regret his hay
ing lived. Dishonor and disgrace will mantl
), him and his children forever.
II My friends, it is verging on the Sabbat
l. day. If L have not been deeply religion
a man, l must, at least, now that I am cand
n date, observe the outward signs. wish t
,e say one word of the meeting last night.
!. read the speech of Judge Thurman with pai
ID NOT from anything in it, but because I gatl
ID cred therefrom the manner in which by part
7 lines he had been driven into course whic
Ill will shame him. Judge Thurman says th
h. if "Slavery restored to its original statl
ID we would have peace" You may go dow
j. on your knees in supplication and you cann'
v bring these Southerners back. Their laws
# regards Slavery were respected by you aft
RS Mr.. Lincoln was elected. They had ever
,r branch of the Government in their hands e.
re cept the Executive and yet they commence
of this war. 1t is because they did not wish
any event tc remain that they made the
preparations to go out. ~
think of Slavery as Othello said of De
demona !: ~
Yet she must die, else she II beiray moro men "
~ Slavery must die, else it will make mo
he wars. Should we patch up peace now wit
Sc the burden of servitude still carking in Il