Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-03-25
Another Union Democrat on the Stand.
SPEECH OF BENZ H. BREWSTER,
At the Great Philadelphia Demonstration at
Musical Fund Hail. on Wednesday Eve
ming, March 11th, 1868

ADsLPHIA: Nothing but conviction that had
serious duty to perform could have brought
me here this night. From my experience of
political organizations, and my distrust of the
use 10 which public meetings are generally
applied, would rather not be responsible for
the purposes of the one or the ends of the
other. The organization that convened this
large assembly, and the aim you have in view
are not open to such reflections. Nc: some
time past have believed that just such an as
sociation was needed, and that just such a
gathering was Indispensable to rouse the pub
lie to consciousness of the danger into which
traitors and the abettors of treason were hur-
rying the destinies of our beloved country.
[Applause. Most gladly, then. have come
here to meet you, and consult with you about
the means best suited to frustate these evil
designs. Many such meetings must be held,
and the mind and heart of the public made to
feel the peril of its position. [Appause.l
Last fall, on my return from Europe, was
amazed and shocked to see how daringly the
advocates and apologists for traitors and their
base deeds were snatching at the rens of au-
thority, with the avowed purpose of surren-
dering the honor OF their country, and the
rights Of the human race, to traitors and the
enemies of mankind. Oh, gentlemen, you
cannot well feel the sting of this rebellion un-
til you have seen, as L have seen, and heard,
us | have heard, the exu ltations of our rivals
and natural foes who live across the water.
Here you may be excited by the outrages You
know of, by the sufferings of our army, by the
resistance to the law, by the avowed hatred of
Northern men and Northern institutions that
is constantly proclaimed by the rebels and
their leaders. But then you feel the greatest
wrong of all is. that from this rebellion our
free institutions have been scoffed at fail
ure, and we now derided as race of vul-
gar plebeians, rushing in downward course
of ruin through anarchy to despotism.
How this unholy strife has palsed the heart
Of trusting, hoping millions who have looked
with joy at the bright rays of our glory as it
guiding them as star to happier homes Ap
plause.1 Oh! what fearful crime has this
been against the dignity of mankind! How
basely have these men estified in fav or of des-
potism and against the holy cause of human
rights [Applause.] A few days since when
reading the admirable letters OF Mr.. Dayton,
our Minister to France, | saw with sense of
pain that was increased by the recollection
that he was describing all that had suffered
when he alluded TO the dependency express
sed and felt by III loyal men in Europe, who,
far away from home, heard of the disasters of
our arms, and felt and heard the sneers of all
Europe banded against US and our cause ,houn-
ded on by the false reports and cowardly eX-
ultations OF fugitive traitors who had fed their
homes to find a refuge abroad from the doom
OF the treason they encouraged and upheld
No one who had ever felt the sharp sorrow
of such reproaches can help but resent the law
less combinations of Northern men to stimu-
late traitors in the field by hopes of divided
councils at the North. For my part, l care
not with whom l act, or where l am found, so
that act with those who will sustain the law
and stand 10y those who were lawfully chosen
to administer it.. and so-that am found with
those who will, as Northern men, born on
Northern soil, bred and cherished by Nor
thern community ,spurn those who spurn them,
and spit on those who betray their birthright
and detame their fellows, whilst they live un-
der the protection of Government that guards
too well their worthless bodies and protects
their property that should be confscated for
sympathy with treason. [Long continued ap-
plause.
At first. when the Republicans entered the
gates of office, with the exultant shouts of
triumphing party, when some of its zealots,
in their wild excitement, proc aimed opinions
that were opposed to the constitutional COM
promises, men attached to the Democratic
party might reasonably hesitate to act with
them, and dread to give countenance TO cove
nant breakers. [Applause.1 Their old party
obligations might well restrain them from ac-
knowledgng the supremacy of new officers,
who were supposed to represent men with
whom and measures with which they had been
in open confiict for years. (Applause.]
They might hesitate, and bravey hesitate,
to follow in the crowd of an excited and in
dignant Northern public, hoping that, by their
refusal to ct,they could still maintain party
allegiance and party action, that would show
a good purpose, to deter rash action by their
old allies and associates in the South. ZAP
plause. But when that day had gone by /;
when they had followed southern men to the
edge of the law, for the sake of the law; when
they saw that the wrath of the northern pub
lie was not partisan age, but was the just
sentiment of outraged men; then to hesitate
was mean to oppose and organize opposition;
to traduce officials acting in good faith under
Try ing circumstances, and to preach of peace,