The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-09-08
speech Of John Wentworth.


After Vallandigham had concluded hi
reasonable harangue at Chicago upon Fri
day, the Hon. John Wentworth, who was in
the crowd was loudly called for. 1t was ex
pected that his speech would, of course cor
respond IN sentiment and spirit with thai, o.
Vallandigham. lie, however. rather dissap!
pointed his 0opperhead auditors. The fol-
lowing rep,rt of bis speech we take from the
Tribune. Once or twice during his speech
efforts were made to hiss and shout him
down. but Mr.. Wentworth was determined
to so through with what he had to say and
he did it.
The following report Of the reply of Hon
John Wentworth to Y allandigham, made at
the gathering in the Court House square. on
Friday evening, vas inadvertently omitted
from our report in Saturdays issue.
On the retirement of Valandigham from
the steps, the crowd called for "Long John,''
"W Wentworth" two names being syn.
onymous in Chicago for our last appointed
Police Commissioner. Mr.. Wentworth an.
peared on the stand, amid much cheering,
and said
/ am pleased with the opportunity which
your call affords me to lay my own views Of
public affairs before you; and in so doing
trust shall not be deemed an intruder, FOR
would not thrust myself before you nor
press my views upon unwilling ears.
It has long been part of my political
ethics that the true method of discussing
pnblic affairs was for the pros and cons to go
together before the people. In every pubic
address for the past years of my life have
enforced the correctness of this understa nd.
ing.
therefore request the attention of all for
] am no party man. am chained to the
partlzan car OF no class, no interest, no or.
ganizatioh to my country and to my coun.
try alone do owe fealty and render homage.
/ loye that country. 1t nurtured me in my
youth, il honorcd me in my manhood. and
NOW when have passed the meridian Of
life, ! love to respond to any call to plead in
her behalf. Arp'ause1 As we cast our
eyes over the land and witness the tears that
Everywhere prevail, and the dangers that
fnow environ the Republic, the heart of tile
patriot sinks with doubt and dread. War.
with all its dread calamities following in its
train, is convui,ing the nation. The art oi
arms has succeeded the pursuits of peace,
and nearly million Of men confront each
other in battle array. Amid the horrors of
war-we naturally look and long for peace
The fathers and mothers of Chicago, whose
sons are Drawing the hazards of battle and
the perllS OF disease, long for peace. The
wives Of Illinois, whose sons have perished
and are peri>hing in the terrible struggle
send up their daily prayers for the cessation
OF the strife. My own wish and hope is for
peace. MY regret when the maddened trai.
tors,of South Carolina fired upon the Ma.
tional ensign and forced the Federal author
ity into a conf'c'. was not more keen and
poignant than my joy will be keen and
sweet when they lay down their arms and
cease the warfare they then so wickedly
foolishly and devilishly inaugurated This
IS the p ace for winch we hope for which
we ray, for which we fight. This struggle
is like every conflict that ever existed since
time began, and il we would have a terui
nation of the struggle we must conquer.
The road to victory is the road to peace. I,
is to this alternative that we are driven-a
shameful surrender, or certain, tr;umphan,
lasting victory, and consequently peace
! have listened with great interest to the
eloquent and well considered remarks OF
that peculiarly democratic champion who
has just addressed you from the stand.
have heard him bewail, in feeling, touching
terms, the existence and continuance of thi,
"accnrsed war" In terms of indignation
ne has invoked agar 81 the Federal Admin
'stratioo for the part it has had to act in ths
bloody drama, But while be was thus de-
precating war and violence, I listened in vain
for one one breath Of censure, one word Of re-
proof from his lips, ,lof those who first mad.
y unclaimed the ugly demon, and let loose
the storm of deadly hate. Why was not the
vials OF his wrath poured upon the head 3
the Infamous Beauregard, and the in surcen,
government at Montgomery, who basely
trained their cannon on . citadel floating the
national flag and shed the first blood ia this
fraternal fight? No. Federal gun had been
fired, not an act of hostility committed, when
the rebellious chief, acting as Secretary OF
war Tor rebel government, telegraphed the
fatal order, "Open fire upon Sumpters'.--
Thus tha strife began. But this denuncia.
tor Of war. this deprecator Of strife, this
messenger ofpeace, in his spe ech tonight
running through nearly an hour and half
had not one wordof denunc iation or reproo
TOR those who, before God and man, ar,
guilty OF it's comm encement. q 10 ~
Why this omission, why this stadied 81
lepce on the part Of Mr.. vallaundigham p
Why are his invectives directed solely to the
General Government which when assailed
only then attacked D. Does Mr.. Vallandig.
ham wish to be understood that the act Of
1.-The traitors in opening the strife is not wor
thy OF censure, while the act of the Gov
ernment in opposing force to force is enti
tiled to an hours temperate denunciatiop I
! draw no incharitahle inference myself.
arraigp not the purity or honesty of his
4 mOfivpa. h,.k r u. a.. a.. =