The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-03-09

| ing myself of the wide latitude which tn,
debate has assumed, l shall not attemp
to perform the useless task of inquirins
whether the present unhappy and desolat
| ing war in which our eountrymen ar,
engaged n.;gM have been averted. Nol
shall | speak of the causes which pro
duced it, further than to state the single
fact that it arose out of the unwise and
fanatical agitation Of the subject of do
nnestic slavery! This is the Pandora box
out of which has issued all our woes.
When the present ill-fated war was
inaugurated, the President assured the
country that it was war to repossess the
Government of the public property, to
preserve the Union, and to enforce the
laws. Our generals commanding like
wise proclaimed, at the head of the Ar
my. that it was war "for the Union. y
Tho Secretary of State officially announc-
ee to the civilized nations of the earth in
q more elaborate and extended manner the
same great fact; while the Congress of the
nation, with almost entire unanimity, pro-
claimed that this was not a war of con
quest or subjugation, or a war to interfere
with the rights or domestic institutions
of the States, but a war to preserve the
Union and maintain the supremacy OF the
Constitution. Sir, | challenge the pro-
duction OF single instance in the history
of this or any other country where the
people rallied with such unparalleled
enthusiasm in defense Of their imperiled
institutions as did the people of this
country after the fall of Sumter. Party
names and dissensions all perished, and
the heart of this great nation throbbed as
one deep, unanimous, and universal whole.
So intense was the public feeling, that in
the short period Of fifteen days nearly
three hundred and fifty thousand volun-
teers offered their services to fill the con-
tingent of seventy-fve thousand, and
more than forty million dollars were con-
tributed by States, cities, and individuals.
Congress convened in extraordinary
session on the 4th of July, and on the 9th
by an aim ,st unanimous voice voted five
hundred thousand men and $500 ,0OU, 900
to arm. equip. and maintain the Army OF
the Union and by the following Decem :
bernearly eight hundred thousand men,
greater number than ever marshaled be-
meath the victorious banners of Caesar or
Napoleor, rallied to aid the Government
in vindicating the honor and integrity OF
the Union. ~ t6 7toa
The country rejoiced az this unparal-
leled exhibition Of devotion to the Union;
and it impaired reassured hope that our
victorious legions would speedily cong uer
an honorable peace, and restore again our
good cid Union. The country likewise
pointed to Missouri, to Kentucky. to Ten
nessee, to Arkansas, to Maryland, to
Western Virginia. to the intrenchmcnts
Of Henry and Donelson, to Pea Ridge, to
Shileh, to Antietanl, to New Orleans, as
trophies of their prowess and renown, and
as achievements that will adorn the his
toric page in all time to come. Sir, our
great triumphs on land and on sea, with
the peoples of the North united in heart
soul, and purpose, and the South defeated
disheartened, and divided, enabled the
country to quietly repose in the grand
thought that speedily the rebellion woulo
be overthrown. and the Union move en-
ward in her career of prosperity and re
noWn.
But, sir, these pleasing anticipation'
were destined not to be realized. At thi'
stage in the mighty drama new enemy
boldly entered the arena; that same ole
abolition enemy that for more than quar-
ter of century past has been teaching
the doctrine that this Union could NO
endure permanently half slave and hal
free; that there was IAN irrepressible con
fiet' between these once united, happy
and prosperous States; that there was
higher law than human constitutions ant
human enactments; that this Union oagh
not to be restored as it was, and that whel
restored all men in it must be free an,
equal. Acting upon the doctrines SO lai
down and inculcated, Congress lost n
time in responding to the widest an
most visionary schemes of these radica
enthusiasts, and instead of regarding tn
\ true interests of the country and the pro
motion of the welfare Of the brave me
who had imperiled their lives in defens
of the Republic, these Halls became tn
tAeater where abolitionists We'd with eac
other in their zeal for the Eegro; as ho'
to feed him. clo.he him, liberate hin
iarm him, educate him, and place hin
lon an equality with white men. ss-c.,r
| Lest it might be considered that / al
lexaggeratinq the true state of facts. le
me call the attention of gentlemen for
+ moment to synopsis of their legislstiy
career: ETE1fE ICif IGaL
/. By the numerous abolition hal
langues. hssaK <oTazflst Z
i g. By the abolition of slavery in til
District of Columbia. sH.a-a sa}
3. "he passage of law permitting th
Testimony of negroes in certain case
against the whites. ei o8
A. The repeal of the law against th
transportation of the mails by negroes.
5. The amendment of the Articles {
War, so as to make it high offense fc
an officer of the Army to return run'
way slave to his owner.
s. The refusal to make it an offense
Like character for an officer to entice ava
g slave. tiF
i z. The passage of law recognizin
as our equals the negro Governments {
Liberia and of Hayti.