Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-08-07
Great Mass Meeting at ToIedo-Opening
OF the Cn mn uafuu.


The Mass Meeting at Toledo was grand
gathering: Large delegations Of Union men
assembled from all the country round about 70
hear the speech Of John Brough; this being the
formal opening OF the political campaign The
meeting was called to order by Hon. j. NJ.
Ashley, and Hon. James Myers chosen Presi-
dent,
Mr.. Brough spoke with the power and elo-
qucnce for which he is 50 famed, and had no soft
phrases with which to gloss over the rebellion
or its adiuncts.
He reviewed the causes which lead 20 the war,
showing that there is less excuse for this rebel-
! ion than for any that have been in any country
since the world was created. Referring to the
Democratic party he said, "Tbe old Democratic
party boasted that il was in favor Of the last
war, and is in favor Of the next but the party Of
| to-day is a negative party in every sense Of the
term. Hostility to the Government is now it's
chief doctrine which If any nan had predicted
ten years ago, the party would have spurned him
as traitor. The Convention which recently
met at Columbus and which nominated Mr..
IVallaudigham, have given us platform, inwhich
there are twenty ty-three resolutions.
| know something about platforms, having
helped to erect many myself, but never knew
one in which there was not some policy asserted
This platform Is series of negatives from be-
ginning to end and the only exception is that they
are not against the rebellion. Only think of
at time when the country was in a state o.
civil war-setting twenty -four hours and pass
ing twenty-three resolutions--and not saying
word calculated to support the Government
nor word of condemnation for the rebellion.
Upon Arbitrary Arrests, DC" Mr.. Brougl
said"
"Another thing: Arbitrary arrests are stated
as cause for grievance. Mr.. Pugh has Sc
stated but his impulses have some times lee
him astray. The substance of Mr.. Pugh's as
sertion is, "I come forward to plead the right o
the citizens to do as he pleases to assail the Gov
eminent when he chooses DC" How many
men have been arrested and sent to prison fol
endeavoring to prevent enlistments, and fo
abusing the PRESIDENT Several in Ohio. Th
was right. l maintain the power Of the Govern
ment to arrest these men when the necessity ar
rises for it. When a mans life is manaced h.
} has the right TO take the life of his adversary
and so has the Government the right to deal Sc
verely with those who are seeking to destroy il
or impair its usefulness 1t is the law of self
preservation. But to arrest man, under ou
forms of law, when he is doing all the mischief h
can, is too slow work-there must be power l.
grab" him quick. Freedom of speech and O
the press are guaranteed to each man, but no
the abuse of these privileges. The motto O
Jefferson thatevery form of error could be tol
Grated SO long as truth was left free to combat i
was true at all times, but we must not forget tha
evil will predominant over good. We are al
prone TO abuse every institution. When ou
fathers spoke of the freedom of the press the,
did not mean the licentiousness of the press o
to day, when the President and Public meH
who are striving to do their duty, are covere,
with the slime elected by towards and knaves.