Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-06-21
Speech by Vice President Hamlin-His
Opinion of the Union Candidates,

Hon. Hannibal Hamlin made speech at q
ratification meeting, in Bangor, Maine, on Satur-
day evening last, of which we find report in
the Wing. He argued at length the duties of
patriotism and the anti-slayery policy of the Co.
yernment, and concluded as follows;
OF President Lincoln there were no words
which be could use that would increase him in
their estimation. They have long loved him as
the cherished and honored Chief Magistrate of
the nation, and he had been renominated and
would be re-elected in obedience to the will of
the people. He could only repeat what he had
SO often said, that President Lincoln was man
of eminent abilities, and of rare and unsurpassed
integrity, who will administer the Government
wisely and well, and bring the nation out Of its
present difficulties and plant it upon the
eternal principles Of liberty. lie will certainly
do no intentional wrong, and We may repose in
confidence that all his undivided efforts will be
devoted uuselfshly to his country's good. The
fearful responsibilities which have rested and
will continue to rest upon him, are such as have
been placed upon no other man. The contem-
plation OF it nlone is fearful what then must be
the reality2 But under good Providence he
will sustain and discharge his responsibilities.
He (AIr. II. J Eas not unmindful of tho fact that
many had complained that the President had
been too slow, while others had also complained
that he had been too fast, or even rash in hls
act. With people like ours, active, restiVe,
and impatient, and unused to the scenes of war,
he who would provoke no discussion or produce
no division of opinion would be more than hu-
man. Amid the perils that had surrounded the
ship Of State, he had guided her with the hand
| Of skilful pilot, and would soon reach the quie
haven Of peace. Elect him by your votes, as yOl
will, and in the meantime give to him your ear
nest cooperation in the discharge of the dutie
that devolye upon him. Ia Union organiza-
tion, composed Of men Of all political organiza-
| tiOns, il was deemed wisest and best TO select q
man who had been identified with the Democratic
party, and the honOred and incOrrurtihlc patriot,
Andrew johnson, of Tennessee. was nominated
for Vice President, and he spoke of Andrew
johnson from long and intimate acquaintance
He knew him we'll, and purer patriot did no
live in the land. He had been Governor Of Ten
nessee, and had represented his State in thl
Senate and House of Representatives Of tbI
United States. From his long and varied ex-
perienoe in the councils Of his country, and By
his intellectual abilities and heroic patriotism
he was eminently fit to discharge the duties o
President, should he, in the Providence of God
be called to do so. Amidst traitors in the Senat
from his own section, he stood unmoved, true L
the UAiOn, and Internationally loyal to his coun
try. With us loyalty costs nothing. Not to b
SO was simply infamous. But to men who lVet
in the midst of treason and rebellion, and VIII
literally took their lives in their hands for ad
herring to their country'a flag, there was indee'
much merit. Such was the position Of AndreV
johnson faithful he stood among the faithless
Separated from his home, driven from his State
7 bis property seized and confscatcd, his sons i'm
prsOned, and his wife and children driven to tn
mountains, for the preservation of their lives, or
some of the evidences which prove, beyond al
f doubt, the loyalty of Andrew johnson. wi
only add that be has given to the Government
, his unhinching support of all the measures whic
have been adopted TO crush out this rebellion
He long since saw, with the eye of a sagaciou
( statesman, that slavery could not be left agai
to imperil the eountrys peace aud safety, on
has acted upon that conviction. He is ever
way eminently fitted and qualified for the posi-
ton to which he has been nominated, and be wi
have our honest and earnest endorsement an
j support. Such are the men put in nominatic
b by the Union organization for President and Viz
Q President, worthy personally for their EN-
/, nent ability and integrity of your earnest al
: unqualified support, to carry out the principl
set forth in the resolutions of the Convention.