Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-08-29
speech of Col. Fairchild.

speech OF Col. Faifchiiu.
Col. FAIRcHILD, of the immortal Iron
Brigade, having been nominated for Sec
rotary Of State, Senator DooLTTTLE
and G.. G.. SHoLEs were nominated q
committee to notify him Of his nomina-
ton.
On his appearance in the Hal he was
received with such storm of applause
as man is seldom greeted. AL in the
house raised to their feet, and cheer fol-
lowed cheer, until the Colonel reached
the Speakers stand. The introduction
of Col. F. by the President was followed
viii another round of applause, after
which the candidate addressed the Con-
yention, in substance as follows:
Geatiemen,-I have been taken very
much by surprise at receiving this noni-
nation ] wish to tender you nv thanks
for the honor you have done me, ccnsid-
ering it is not made with reference to my
own ability, for this | very well know,
and my friends know. | have been Ia
boring for nearly an hour to decide what
to do. have no political aspirations;
| ask no Office. My heart is in the army.
cheers, my whole heart is there until
this rebellion is crushed. Cheers. And
my heart is also in the cause ut home
here, which will help the army. Renew
ed cheers.
/ do not and cannot agree with the dem
ocrats, with whom have always acted,
upon the issue of this day; and | say it
with sorrow, too. because it cuts me loose,
for The time, from all my political associ-
a'ca, to whom, as boy, have looked
upon AS oracles, and believed every word
they said; but cannot believe they are
right now. / cannot believe that any
Encouragement to the Government can
help to put down rebellion. | do not
believe it, and not believing it, cannot
90 with them in the support of any poll
cy which is not in favor of the Admins
tration. Whether like the Administra-
ton or not-whether like what it has
done or mott am bound TO support IL;
because under it, we are to live or die.
This country either lives or dies in the
next two years, and we cannot change
the Administration unless we do it by re-
bellion, and that is what we are trying to
put down.
Personally, | would not turn over my
hand for any office in the State. | en-
tered the army simply as matter Of dr-
ty. and my earnest private
wish is to stay there. have been told
by some friends that they thought it nv
duty 10 accept it-as an individual and a
cripple-fearng YOU will be disappointed
in The COOL which will do to the ticket.
Cries of mo, not But | accept it.;
Long AMI continued applause accept
with the understanding that party lines
have been kicked down here, and we are
all Union men. Applause. ! don't care
who | train with, what their politics are,
provided those with whom | train are for
putting down this rebellion in the shortest
possible time-men who utter not n
word of discouragement, not word of
fault-finding, not single syllable to dis
courage m old or young man from en-
listing not single word about holding
back, if he does not like what the Adj
ministration does-I can swallow it
down; for the sake of my country | can
swallow everything. / accept the nomi-
nation, gentlemen, hoping that you will
not be disappointed in me. l accept it rs
Union Democrat, as Union man, and
nothing else whatever; supporting the
Government through thick and thin
through every thing. That is the only
platform have in the world; if cannot
stand on that platform | don't know
where the country stands.