Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-07-16
Union Mass Meeting at Milwaukee
Speeches of Gov. Solomon, Gen. Pope.
Senator Dooiittle and Others.
SPEECH OF GOV. sALoMoN

m tho nrincinIes of the Declaration just
.aod RI won which were avoWed to the
ND eipbty-seven years ago this day, is
now beng tried upon the bloody field OF
battle. In former years we have enjoyed
the blessings of the government OF the
United Sta,es, and of our glorious Union
which gave protection, quiet, security ana
liberty to every citizen, without any effort
on our part to secure these blessings. To-
dav our brothers on many bloody held
are fighting tor them, while the booming
cannon are tearing their ranks. Uhder
such circumstances, 1t seems not so be-
canning to extol the institutions secured
nv onr Constitution and Government, as
to speak and hear OF the great struggle
now being Waged for our National exIs-
tence.
Uppermost in all breasts is the feeling
of regret tor the thousands of our noble
soldiers, dead or wounded, In hospitals or
on the scourged fields of battle, scattered
all over the vast field of our military oper-
ations, and il always moves our deepest
sympathy when we read the long lists OF
names so familiar to Us, OF the brave men
OF Wisconsin who have fallen on the field
fighting for our liberty and our security,
Such losses bring home TO Us the magni-
tude of this struggle, and the sacrifices
thus made should nerve Us up to tie sup
port and encouragement OF these brave
men.
When | recall the stern faces of patri-
otto devotion which | saw in our Army,
on nv recent visit, the cheerful determine
alton, and the brave words of our soldiers
In camp and IN hospital, L hardly know
what to say in view of the dissensions at
home. which have done SO much TO dis
courage them and cripple their energy.
In this war, which was commenced by
the South for causes which seem fippaut
compared with those which induced our
Revolutionary Fathers to declare their in
dependence, we must all stand together
We must conquer or be conquered. This
has been often said, but has never been so
clearly exhibited as since the recent rebel
INVASION OF PenDsy lVania. Bring this in~
vasion home, and imagine rebel army
surrounding this beautiful city, eating up
your substance, devastating your property,
and endaDgeriDg every hing you hold
dear. Would you hesitate to turn out,
every man of you, to meet the enemy z
Is there any difference II Pennsylvania IN
stead is lnVadedF
We are all one people, living under one
Government. Shall we not stand by our
homes, and they are Identical with our
Government. How can we in the light of
the past developments of this struggle, sit
quietly and see the light go on Without
our willing and utmost help?
How can we give a helping hand and
assist our brothers in the field Is il by
finding fault with the measures of the
Government, by GRIPPING lis powers, by
perpetually crying out, stop, you are en-
crOachlng on the Constitution2"
This Constitution OF ours, is q great
and glorious document, but it necessarily
deals somewhat in general terms, and it is
hardly possible to find TWO men who agree
as to lis construction upon all matters.
The best lawyers and the highest judi
cial tribunals have often differed as to the
construction OF certain constitutional pro
visions. The President is nor superhu
man, and,i the fearful emergencies where
he is now called to decide, may err. |
any case occurs where you think he is en-
croachiDg on the constitution, will you Sc
your judgment above his Will you fette
his hands? will you incite an excited
that will lead to sedItion2 Is it patriotic
to come before thousands of your fellow
citizens and say" am patriotic but
think Lincoln is violating the constitution
and must oppose him. I'm loyal, but the
war must be consututionaIy prosecuted
and no rebel killed until tried by jury 2"
Let those who, before the Presidential
election, were opposed TO the party of Mr.
LncolE, now throw aside their prejudlce
and give charitable construction to al
his acts. We can't support the Govern
ment by fault-tindiDg; we can't supper
our brave soldiers in the field by rouslng
spirit OF lnsurrectlon.
Unless the people of the loyal States, a
heretofore, support the efforts of the ad
ministration, we shall certainly fail. n,
other rallying point is left to US, and Their
we must rally, or else it may become ne
cessary to recall the army from the fel,
to get soldiers to reinforce the thnnet
ranks of our present armies. Then, in
deed, the Union would be lost. Then WI
should have an invasion of all our north
ern States. We should have war at GU
own doors, neighbor looking upon neigh
Dor as toe, anarchy reignlng supreme
and the National honor and dignity al
forever lost.
To avoid these unspeakable disasters W
must become more united and jealous il
the support OF the Government. lie
those who have criticised it's action wal
until the peril Is passed, and let those VIII
in their zeal have been too forward il
denouncing men as traitors, recollecs tha
man may be loyal and differ from then
in his views. Let US conciate ever,
man whose heart Is right, no matter wha
his opinions may be. If we stand un!tet
we will conquer.
| lately travelled for some eight hundret
miles down the Mississippi through terri
tory which two years ago belonged to tn
rebels. As | passed their former strong
holds at Columbus, Island No. 10. New
Madrid, Memphis and other points below
| could not but be filed with the impress
sion that when the people OF the Unite,
States have the will, they have the posOer
to crush the rebellion and save the Gov
eminent. And when among our soldier
in the Army of the Tennessee, in rifle
pits, in camps and in hospitals, | coul'
but be impressed that If there was tn
same spirit at home that sustains then
through their untold sutferings, priyation
and dangers, tie cause of the Union woui'
be safe.
Let US be united. If man is not il
favor of suppressing the rebellion, de
nounce him as q rebel and traitor, but
he is in favor of suppresslrg the rebellion
and differs as to policy or Measures, argu'
with him kindly. Above all, stand b,
the brave men we have sent to the held
our fathers, brothers and sors whom W.