The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-09-28
SPEECH OF
GOVERN SEYMOUR
BEFORE THE
C h ic go venti on
SPEECH OF

GENTLEMEN OF THE CoNvENTIoN:-
} thank you fer the high honor you hav
conferred upon me in making me Presi
dent of this body. The Importance c
4 the occasion has already been expresse
in fitting words by your temporary chair
man. | have not language to tell wit
what anxious selicitude the people of thi
/ lcenntry watch our proceedings. Th
prayers. of men and women in ten thou
sand homes go up to Heaven that We ma
be SO guided in our deliberations that ou
acticn may conduce to the restoration o
\ opr. Union. to the return of peace, ant
the maintenance of liberty in this land
UCheers
1t is not for me to forecast your acter
lit is not for me to say what method.
May be adopted to relieve this afflicted
country of ours. But while | may no
speak on that subject. l can, with pro
priety, allu6e to the sentiments which ami
mate you all. There is no man here who
does not love the Union. TCheers
There is no man here who does not de-
sire peace cheers There is Ro man
here who is not resolved to uphold the
great principles of constitutional free
dom. Applause
| know that the utmost Importance at
taches to all your proceedings. know
it is of vital consequence that you should
select such men, as your candi iates, as
enjoy tie confidence ul the American pee
pie. But beyond platforms aud beyond
candidates, there are other considerations
ofstiil greater significance and Importance.
When you wish to know what the policy
of party will be, you must strive to
learn the passions and sentiments which
animate that party Four years ago, in
this city, there was an assemblage of citi-
zens from the different parts Of our coun-
try, who net here for the purpose Of
placing III nomination t candidate tUr the
Presidency. Taey put forth declara tions
that they would not interfere with the
rights of the StEtes of this Union They
did not intend to destroy our country
they did not mean to break down its insti-
tutions. But uphappily they were inAu-
enced by sectional prejudices, by fanati-
cism, by bigotry, and by intolerance, and
we have found in the course of the last
four years that their animating senti-
ments have overruled their declarations
and their promises, and swept them on,
step by step, until they have been carried
on 60 actions from which at the outset
they would have shrunk away with hor-
ror. Even now, when war has desolated
our land, has laid its heavy burthens upon
labor, when bankruptcy and ruin over
hang US, they will not have Union except
upon conditions unknown to our consti-
tuition; they will net let the shedding of
blood to cease, even for little time, to
see if Christian charity or the wisdom of
craftsmanship may not work out method
to save our country. Nay, more than
this, they will not listen to proposal for
peace which does not offer that which this
government has no right to ask,
This Administration cannot now save
this Union if il would. 1t has, by its
proclamations, by vindietive legislation,
by displays Of hate and passion, placed
objects in it's own pathway which it can
not overcome, and has hampered its own
freedom Of action by unconstitutional
acts. 1t cannot be said that the failure
of its policy is due to the want of courage
and devotion on the part of our armies.
{ heers Never in the worlds history
have soldiers given up their lives more
freely than have those of the armies which
have battled for the flag OF our Union in
the Southern States. The world viii hold
that they have done all that arms can do,
and had wise Craftsmanship secured the
fruits of their victories, to day there would
have been peace in cur land. Much ap-
uiause. But while our soldiers have des-
perately struggled to carry our banner
southwark to the Gulf of Mexico, even
now the government. declares that rebel
lious discomfort has worked northward to
the shores of the great lakes. The guar
anteed right of the people to bear arms
has. been suspented ed by the edict of a
General up to the very borders of Cana
da, 80 that American servitude is put In
bold contrast with British liberty. This
ADMINISTRATION thus declares to the world
it has now no faith in the people of States
whose votes placed it in power; and il
also admits by such edict that these peo-
pie have no faith in this Administration
While those in power, without remorse
sacrifice the blood and treasures Of oul
people, they will not give up their owl
passions for the public good This Unior
is not held asunder by military ambition
Ii our political troubles could be referred
to the peaceful arbtrament Of the con
tendir armies in the field, our Unio'
would be restored, the rights of State
would be guaranteed, the sacredness o
homes and persons again respected, ant
an in uIted judiciary would again admin
lister the laws of the land, Let not th
ruin of our country be charged to ou
soldiers 1t is not due to their teaching
or their fanaticism. In my constant Off
cial intercourse with them, | have neve
heard uttered one sentiment of hatred to
wards the people of the South. Beyon
TALL men they value the blessings of peac
and She virtues of mercy. of gentlenes
AMI Of charity; while many who stay a
home cry havoc, and demand that no mer
Icy shall be shown The bisotry of fanat
les and the intrigues of placement hav
made the bloody pages Of the history Q
the past three years.
But if the Administration cannot saw