Winchester journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1862-1863, 1863-04-17
STAND BY TIE GOVERNMENT.
SPEECH OF GERRIT SMITH,
In Albany, Feb. q, 1868.

as il can be accomplished through the
Government only: Therefore
"ResoIsed, That Democrats, Republi-
cans and AbOlitionists-men of all parties
and men of no parties-should stand by
the Government. and sympathze with it
under its emharrassments, and bear its
burdens, and be grateful for its fidelity,
and, whilst quick to commend its wise
measures, should never criticse its mis-
takes but in the spirit Of patriotism in
stead Of party, and but to make the Gov
eminent stronger instead Of weaker, and
the enemy weaker instead of stronger"
Mr.. Smith proceeded to say: | am not
rightly represented in all respects. For
instance, because ! am an old and jealous
Temperance man, il is assumed that am
for having Government iake the Cause Of
Temperance under its wing. Whereas
the theory, which | have spent so much
time during the last twenty years in
calculating and commenting, is that
Government has nothing to do with
Churches nor even with Schools, with
religious institutions nor even with moral
reforms; and that It's only legitimate
province is the narrow one of protecting
the persons and property of its subjects.
Hence when | would have Government
shut up a dramshOp, it Is not because
would have it enact a sumptuary law or
care in the least forthe Cause of Temper
ance; out it is solely because portion of
the men, who frequent that dramshop,
ace won't TO get crazed in -, s.d to 60
forth from it to perpetrate crimes against
person and property. 1t is because that
mandatory of madmen sends out one
man to fire a dwelling, and another to
murder a wife, and others to other deeds
of mischief or horror. Then a. ain be-
cause ! am an old and radical Abolitionist,
1t is taken for granted that would have
our struggle TO put down the Rebellion
perverted into a crusade against Slavery.
Whereas ever since the Rebellion b.oke
out | have been entreating my country
men not to fall away 70 any side issues,
but TO consecrate themselves "arm and
soul'' to the one work of putting down
the Rebellion. Increasingly have sum
moned them TO stand shoulder to shoulder
IN this work, Notwithstanding their dif-
terences as Demo Gratis, Republicans and
AbOlitionists. To this end was nv
/ printed Letter in 1861 to Edwin Crosswell
/ To this end have been many of my writ.
/ ings and speeches. With this struggle to
I put down the Rebellion | have from first
D to last been uneonditionally identified
The Presidents blocking up of Fremont's
and Hunters Abolition way did not in the
least diminish my devotion to the one
absorbing purpose of putting down the
/ Rebellion; and his Proclamation of Free
dom could not increase it, Whether the
Government, in is changeful measures,
was uOw for Slavery or now against it, /
kept steadily on in my zeal and labor for
the overthrow of the Rebellion.
Excuse the egotism of these intro
ductory remarks. dislike egotism,
whether it be in myself or in others. But
| felt that | must make them in order to
get YOUR unpreiudieed and open ears. !
felt that you would not respect what !
have TO say to you. unless ! should frs,
disabuse you of your false impressions re-
garding my attitude toward the Rebellion
The way is now open for me to mention
some of our duties at this crisis.
lst. The Rebellion must be put dOpn.
%. All hands must help put il dopn.
The Republicans, Democrats and Abo-
litiOnists must all help, be it at whatever
risk to their respective parties. Indeed
so far as the Rebellion is concerned, they
must all give up their parties. and become
one party Outside Of this one party
they may still maintain Old party names
and old party aims. But into this new
and sacred party they must bring no party
interests, no party jealousies, no partAd-
visions. In this party all must be har-
mOny; and its members must know each
other only as Americans.
add that whilst on the one hand the
Abolitionists must help put down the Re
belliou not merely because it is Pro
slavery one for. Slavery out Of the
question, they should be equally prompt
to put it down-on the other hand the
Anti Abolitionists must not withhold their
help because il is Pro-Slavery Rebellion,
The Democrats must be as prompt to as
sist in putting down this Rebellion as
they would be were il an Anti Slavery
one. They know that they would lose
very little time in arraying, land that too
most vindictively,) all their might against
a New England Anti-Slavery Rebellion
They, who are now Peace Democrats
would then be War Democrats; and such
OF them, az are now the most tender e
Rebels, would then be the least patient
with Rebels.
said that the Abolitionists must hell
put down the Rebellion. II any Of then
would not have it put down unless SLAYER.