The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-01-21
.ttL.r,, From the State Journal blk. -.
GEN. CAN'T AT CINCINNATI
SOUTHERN UNIONIsTs.

i SOUTHERN UNIONISTs.
twill perhaps be remembered by
our readers, that some time since, we
published the public letter of General
CAN'T ITO the people Of Arkansas, ex-
'horting them TO stand by the Union
This letter was remarkable, both on ac-
count of its able manner Of presenting
the case, and from the fact that the
writer, MIR. CAN'T, had held a Briga-
ldier Generals commission in the reb-
el army, and had served in that capac-
ity. But, becoming convinced of the
error into which he had been carried
before the secession whirlwind, he
boldly abjdred the rebel cause, and
lnanfully spoke his sentiments to his
Arkansas people.
Having held that position in the reb,
el army, he was of course exofsded
from the provisions of the PresideAts s
amnesty Proclamation, by the tetnGs
thereof. But, in consideration OF his
now unquestionable loyalty, and tire
great service he had rendered to the
Union cause in the South, the Presi.
dent voluntarily sent him full par
don, with restoration to all rights Of
property and citizenship.
Mr. CAN'T and others are now on
their way to Washington in relation tc
business connected with the reconstruc.
tion of the State Government of Ar
kansas. They were in Cincinnati on
Thursday last, and grand meeting
was held, at which Mr.. CAN'T made
the following telling speech, which We
give as reported in the Cincinnati Com
mcrcial
GEN. GANTT's SPEECH.
The introduction of this gentleman
an whom the audience recognized ;
representative man of Arkansas
man who had commanded rebel troops
as General, who had fought in th'
cause of the rebellion, but who, also
recognized his error, had resumed hi
allegiance to his Government, and wa
doing all in his power to restore tn
Union, brought forth q storm of ap
plause, which was many times repeat
ed throughout the course ofhis speech
General CAN'T sad; ....
LADIES AND FELLOW ClTIZENs-l re
gret my inability to address you OF
this occasion to the length at which
would like to. 1 regret that my dutie
in trying to impress upon the peopl
of Arkansas their duties to the grca
Government, prevent me from speak
ing to the people of the North as
would like to.
l have been engaged, as you know
in addressing the people and soldier
of the South. 1 desired that my ap
peals might reach the hearts of all m,
fellow-citizens. And L know that m.
words did reach soldiers in Mr.. Price
1--WE call him Mr.. Price, in Arkansas
army, and had their effect. The.
reached, too, beyond Mr., Prices arm.
and have had many letters from I'm
ion men among the rebels, assurini
me that my words had brought to thel
a bright ray of hope in the future, an
had nerved them with comfort an
courage. And they call upon me, o
every hand to pursue the course / hay
started in. And l shall pursue it, m,
friends. Applause. In writing m,
letter to the people of Arkansas, | CAV
great offense to the leaders Of tho re
bellion; and it could not have bee
otherwise. l struggled hard not t
write this letter, for am Souther
man. But | saw that the rebellio
was only a struggle to extend and pei
petuate negro slavery; | saw my pee
pie, whom / love so well, groanlng bc
meath the despotism of jeff. Davis an
his minions, and / could not be silen
desired to retire from the struggI
and seek some corner where L coul
live in peace, unobserved. But wit
these facts hsfore me, how could l bl
speak, Then, when | spoke, throug
thatletter, there was raised again
me, by the Copperheads of the Mort
acry that l did it with view to offic
But 1 told them, as / now tell you, th'
Iwould not accept any Office Or emo
ument which it is in the power of Il
people or their President to give.
wanted only to see peace restored
my people. Iwould that God wou
blast all demagogues and place trl
men in office. In the first days of tn
Government, when the ship of Sta
started out on its voyage, our fathe
had ever before them a warming tn
itmight be wrecked on the rock ofsl
very, 1t. has been to the people oftl
South the root Of all their ovils-th
slavery--a subject of continual cor
motion. In 1860 when the peop
were SO agitated about it, l did all
my power to allay the excitemen
l called upon them to bear in mir
that the Constitution gave them suf
cient guarantees. Mr.. Lincoln hi
truthfllly said, in Illinois, that slavel
sftfN NtNEs