Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-05-26
Speech Of John ]. Crittenden.

from lhe recent speech OF Mr.. Crttenden, o.
Lexington, Ky. we make the following extracts
Still, was for the war. Notwithstanding
the conhsciion ct, notwithstanding the emsnc
patton proclamation and the emancipation laws
Dotwii hsiandng the policy Of raising negro ar.
mics and The talk about negro equality with white
men a. soldiers and voted ag-inst them all
notw ilhs,anding their adoption, hive silll adyo.
Gated The prosecution Of the war. While the re
beion was before me, while the great enemy Of
my country was before me. | was still for the
war, without an armistlce, regardless Of foreign
Intervention lighting all tie world. IT necessary
till the rebellion is pu, down. | was dissatisfied
with the policy Of the Administration. thoughr
It my duty TO tell Congress and the Government
that We thought these measures were impolic
and upcon III ional. But still il was our duty TO
light the rebellion il was the greatest danger,
and was right in or faces. Our con ttuiion and
laws might all be ioated or suspended il would
he Of no use to stop to talk. Aiter the war is
over the people may, in their wisdom, correct the
errors and repair the mischief, and prevent the
further encroachments on the constitution ana
their rights.
al am therefore, for the prosecution Of tn. war
until it shall have accompl shed lis end. To the
dissolution Of this Union | never will subscribe.
am an old man, and could shuttle out the few
remaining day. of my life without being compelled
10 sanction proposition fr the dismemberment
Of the Union but, notwiths' andlng, from princi.
pie, for the perpetuation Of free government, !
would prosecate this war as long as there is a
rebel in arms threatening that Government, and
threatening Kenlucky especially. The rebel gov
ernment claims Kentucky as its own, because
some Of her recreant sons have gone off into its
service. Yes, the rebels say, We will have Ken
lucky yhow it isn't worth while for her to
struggle. You have, therefore, something more
than general interest in this war; you have
particular one. The South wants you /; you have
rich country, and are prosperous; you can pay
taxes; /; you are soldierly, fighting people, and ii
they can conquer you, you may be made to serve
them well. What kentuekian will rot say the
war shall be prosecuted to the last extremity
by those who were born in " the land OF lair
women and brave men?" (Grea' cheers | tell
you, the rebels never shall, never can subjugale
you, ifyou al, determined they shall not"
al, is proposed by some 10 their anger against
the government, 10 refuse to fight the rebellion
to refuse to give money or men for the prosecu
Will that course save you, and save our glorious
country and governmen: II YOU offer no resist
anee, you surrender TO ii, aud lose your manhood
1t is not by denounciog the piers Of The Presi
dent il is not by the language Of passion and re-
proach that errors in public affairs can be righted,
and the government conducted successfully. You
are portion OF the people of the United States !;
act in manner becoming your high character.
Sedition does not become ii, elamor does not be.
come il. Action at the proper time and 10 the
proper manner, according to legal and constituted
provision, is what we want, aud what the world
has right TO expect
10 concluding Mr.. Cri,tenden said;
"The nation will get through its dffculties.--
We have the power and will to do it, and We
shall accomplish il. That great Providence that
has made US the standard-bearer Of freedom will
not permit our government 10 90 down ard leave
the world in gloom. | have faith there is a d.
whit, above that shapes oil our ends, and He will
shape the destiny OF our nation. Its career has
onl, Just begun, and Providence does not permit
hall finished work Of such momentous proper
tons to fail aud be abandoned; and trust In God,
that we, the people, do not intend II. Our
hearts must be filled with the noble determine.
ton to maintain the integrity Of our government,
while we grow greater aud greater. m'ghter and
mighter, richer in civilization, grander 10 prosper
l,, until our glory shall cover the whole land.
But YOU must prepare to fight the rebellion
through to the last, no matter whether England OF
France, or any other power make common cause
with them or not. We must light them all, II
need be and we can whip them all, in the de.
fence Of right don't want to extend the bound
aries of this war God knows do notl | have
tried to make peace, as long as peace was eonss'
tent with national safety. Nov, | believe war
alone can save US, aud war Il must be.