The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-01-16
Proposal for "a National COnven-
tom.
SPEECH OF HON. JAMES BROOKS.


~
u An immense meeting Of the Democracy
Was held in Broadway, New York, on, the
evening of the 30tn ult. The meeting was
called to order by Luke f. Cozans, President
OF the Democratic Association.
After few congratnlatsry remarks by the
President, the Hon JamessBsooks was intro
duced, and addressed the. meeting at some
length In conclusion he said: -
''Gentlemep it is quite time to begin the
discussion of these matters here and elsewhere
South as we'll as North; now is the day
and now is the hour to bring up the people
our once common people, both North and
South. to the study of this sublect-Our Con-
| stltution is necessary for our common liberty.
Our common form of government Is not only
necessary for our common liberty, but neces-
sary to preserve us from Europeon interven-
ton and European. arms. Divide and conquer
is the. principle Of monarchies against re-
publics every where. Divide and conquer
is the principle which now actuates the Brl-
fish Kingdom, if not the Emperor Of France.
Divide the North and South, and then If pos
sble conquer both when both are exhausted.
Unity and universality Of government lsthere-
fore a necessity for us both North and South,
and theFcuicker and deeper and wider this.
principle Is comprehended universally, the
quicker we shall alllay down our arms and
stop this horrible effusion Of human blood.
(Applause) Gentlemen, / love TO speak for
practical purposes. audience / have prepar-
ed twa3or three resolutions to present for your
consideration, for your discussion hereafter,
not for action at this time and this place, but
for submission to this Democratic ASSOCIATION.
| see nothing else thatsis left TO us except the
principles that are embraced IN these resolu-
tions. Revolution is the last, thing to be
thought of under form of government like
ours, where grievances can be redressed at the
ballot box We hare to endure thas Congress;
ace haze to endure this P'esideM:. 1t IS ciser to
endure them than to ore,tlsrov heih bg revo1u-
ton It is possibe-barely possible-that at
last they may be awakened, and may hear
and heed the voice of the people. Hence |
have elected a. State as medium through
which my resolution shall be presented to the
people both of the North and South. A State
Of the Revolution of the old thirteen,
of high and holy. history, which has never
been alien either to the North or the South,
and which has ever been faithful to the Com
.stitutio1 of our common country-that is the
State, the glorious State Of New Jersey
[Cheers.l I propose, therefore, the following
resolutions, to be submitted to this Democrat
ic Association for discussion, for action, and
if you approve them, for presentation to the
Government of New Jersey; and let.n1e re-
mark here that the Government Of New DER
sey is homogeneous Government; the three
branches are all of one faith and one opinion,
and it is not so in any other Northern State
of the Union"
We annex the resolutions:
Resolved, That the State of New Jersey
through her State Government be respectful
ly requested to interpose In order to arrest the
existing civil war.
|. By inviting the non-slaveholding States
and theloyal slaseholding Stafes-Delaware,
Maryland, Kentucke and Missouri meet
in convention in Louisville, Ky, on the
day of February next
2. By requesting the permission of the
President Of the United States to send COM
missioners to Virginia, North and South Caro-
lima, Georgia. Alabama, Florida, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Tennessee, to
invite them also to meet in like national con-
veition. And
8. Be it further Resolved, That the Presl-
dent be requested by the State Government
Of New JERSEY to declare an armistice with or
for such State or States as may accept this
call for national convention.
Resolved That a committee be created on
the part of this Association to present these
resolutions to the Governor and Legislature Of
New JERSEY, and. to urge upon that State that,
in consideration of her revolutionary history
and patriotic associations, she is entitled thus
TO lead in a national convention for the resto-
ration of the Union of these States.
The resolutions were greeted with tor
rent Of cheers, and it was asked that they be
passed upon Immediately. The President
therefore put the question, and they were car
ried unanimously.
The Nashville correspondent of the Cincin-