Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-04-01

day, March Sd, 1868. .-.s --
FstlOte. Cftizsns and Gehtlenlea Of tie Genera
i-z4ssemGly:aa ra.l :. --.-a
1t is,with no ordinary embarrassment
that appear before you this afternoon
You are mostly strangers to me. Thi:
makes the reception you have given me
doubly embarrassing. | am unable to
express in language the pleasure l have
in responding to the invitation and call
Of this General Assembly and thepeople
of Ohio. My tongue viii fail to express
theemotions of my heart. But | come
among You to express my convictions
and opinions on some of the great lead
ing questions that agitate The country.
Many years ago | had the honor of
meeting the distinguished gentleman
(Gov. Stanton) who has presented me TO
you, IN the halls of our national Congress.
Though then differing in politics we were
cordial friends. But am happy to know
that the politics of times past with him
and l are now buried, and to-day We meet
here bilk, for the preservation Of the c n
ion of our fathers. Il
The time has come when we must for
get that we are divided into parties, mi
nor differences of opinion must be for-
gone, and we must come together, bold
and strong, to preserve this government.
| shall not attempt TO speak on this occa-
sion, nor attempt to ornament with the
classic language, but shall speak plain,
and enly, hope TO secure your attention
by my earnestness and sincerity.
81 am q Democrat, and have ever been,
and ever shall continue, so long as the
preservation of this Union and the en-
forcemeRt.of the laws and the Constitu
ton are the cardinal points of the DEM
ecratic party 1 don't assume that the
party has changed in lis radical princi=
pleslI How long since we were found
meeting each other in political demon
stgaGepsJ form ing professions about the
emblem of our national clraracter--our
flag THAT Banner of unity and fraternity
among sister States. The time has been
short, but then we were one IN fidelity to
our government --a. --H o.
That was a point in which we all
agreed. The struggles then between the
Wings and Democrats were, what meas
ures We're best adapted TO perpetuate this
republic. What IS the change now >
Why-are We now in' civil war? Why are
saerIigious hands now Cleiaming and de
spoiling this temple OF liberty? Can
YOU tell why this rebellion in the South
Is there a man in this vast assembly. that
can point to, one. right that he has lost by
the preservation of the Constitution ?? 1 |
put these questions to Northern sympa-
thizers,g Just as would to JEFF. Davis
just as did to him in the Senate of tho |
United States Then he had no answer, |
and he and you have no reply to give to-
day.. | ask the same of loyal Democrats. |
To my honored friend, Governor Tod, |
and all his copatriots, must appeal
what right have you lost / think gen
tlemen of the experience of myself and
Governor Tod, and others of the old
school Democracy have the right to put
these stirring questions.
Have we all, fellow citizens, been for
the Constitution as we ought to have
been 2 What is our record For myself
am ready to speak 1t is true that dur
ing the last Presidential campaign, when
the, names of Abraham Lincoln, Stephen
A. Douglas, John Bell, and j. c. Breck-
ilridge were before the people, that
took my position in preference for Breck- |
inridge. | was for Breckenridge for the
same reason that, had been a resident
of the North, should have favored and /
the immortal Douglas. ! !
thought, honestly, that he (Breckinridge)
was a loyal man to the principles of our
fathers, and that he was the most availa-
BILE man. for as of the South to elect. 4. In
advocating his claims l did SO because,
from published pamphlet, full of his
speeches and sentiments, was deluded
to suppose he was the right kind of a
man, aud for the Union. ! thought him
true, strong and available. But / was
fatally mistaken. Well, he wasdefeated
all the others likewise, except Mr.. Inn
coin, and he was constitutionally elected.
What then was my duty Why, being
for the Union, l quietly yielded to tho
voices and preferences of the majority
and cordially offered him my support.