The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-09-27
GENERAL A. J. SMITH ON THE REBEL.
LION.

General Andrew j. Smith, who has won for
himself in the Southwest q brilliant reputation as
a commander, was serenaded in st. Louis on
Tuesday night, and made a short speech in re.
sponse. General Smith is an old army officer, and
knows but little about politics; but he thoroughly
understands the Rebellion, and knows what is
the only remedy for il. He said -
A majority of you have been in the army. II
You haven't, you ought to have been there and
have doubtless asked the question, What are we
hghiing for (Cries of "the Union.) That's a
fact. You remember that four or five years ago
we had happy, united country; you could not
ind happier country on the face of Gods Garth
than ours had been for forty years. | speak of
forty years ago, because that was the period Of
the beginning Of internal improvements in the
United States But certain party in what Is
called the Southern Confederacy took il into their
heads that they wanted an Independent Govern
ment, and undertook to secede. Now, if we
should acknowledge their right seCede, It would
not be long before we should have twenty or
thirty independent Governments on this CONT
nent, and You know what would be the result.
say that we have been happy people. Have
you ever, before this war, had to pay one cent
towards the support Of the Governmentl You
were growing rich, and never felt the burden of
government. When Mr.. Lincoln was elected,
the South said he was an AhoitiJnist-wel, if
be was am too but Mr.. Lincoln never had a
negro, and have had many, and set them all
litt. WJulu lItc tnlCe nunurtu Thousand
negroes If had them, for the good of my cJun-
Try. After he was made President, he said to the
South, which had seeded, "COme back" He
gave them three months 10 return, and after he
was made President he gave them six weeks
longer TO come back with all their constitutional
rights guaranteed to them. Now is this whas
yOu call an AbOlitionist? | think not. The
SOuthcTncrS are determined TO destroy this Gov
yerDment-don't let them do it. C"Never'D All
that l am fighting for is, first for the Union !;
secondly, for the Union; thirdly, and all the
time, for the Union. C"Hurrah for the Union (!
The Union tOreyer')
l want to see us all united, from Maine to
Texas one united and happy people. There is
but one way of doing this. Tney commenced the
war; no,o let them ask for peacei How are we to
have peace say, when the South sha ask tor
peace, then 1t will be time for them to get t.
Never let the North say peace; but when the
SouIh asks for IL, let us be merciful. / would
rather see that old flag under which | have been
tphting sunk fatboms deep in the Mississippi
than that we should give up and sue for peace
As for proposing terms to the South, | say it is
ridiculous. Let us be true to the UniOu-tO that
cd tleg that has protected us ia the past, and
never lower it in the presence Of a foe
The General alluded to his natire State Penn
SyrdHio), and spoke Of the tredchG,yO of Mr. Bucha-
nan, saying he hoped Buchanan tCoUid Gue u hul-
dred years, and he a hundred and one, that he
might see him IN the streets of PhiLadelpbia, end
point to him as the man toho sod his country
have but little TO say about party politics.
have been thirty years in the service, and never
yet cast vote, being, as an army officer, dis
franchlsed in every State except California. The
only Thing am fighting for is the restoration OF
the Union. Let the South acknowledge their
wong, and come back-the sooner they do 1t the
better for them. If they don't do il, wen make
them. The men of the South have gone to war
and left their women at home Wen show them
tiOn OF Southerners that we are now killing off,
daughter and cbeers.)