The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-08-25
From the Delaware Gazette

what is called Peace Meeting held
on the 23d ult., in the north east corner
of Franklin county, Of which Victor
Arnold, Of Galena, was Chairman.
Speeches were made by Jack Smith, Of
Genoa, and Geo. L. Converse, and J
G. Edwards, of Franklin county The
sentiments uttered by all Of them are
reasonable and incendiary, Of the two
last named particularly so. and the
fact that they are both members Of the
Legislature magnifes their offense and
adds to the infamy that properly at
taches to those who attempt to incite
to riot and bloodshed They openly
recommended resistance to the draft,
and urged their hearers 10 inaugurate
civil war by arraying themselves in
armed hostility to the Government
Talking treason and sedition is one
thing, acting it another; and when
these advocates Of peace" undertake
to illustrate their doctrines by reduc-
ing their brave uttcrances to acts, they
will probably discover the fact. The
Crisis is fit receptacle for the pro-
ceedings Of such a meeting, for its
teachings have uniformly been of the
same tenor
To give an idea Of the reasonable
and blood thirsty character of their re-
marks, we give a few brief extracts
from their speeches, as reported in the
official proceedings
JACK SMlTH.-"He Iincoln) has al
ready called for over two millions of
men to fill his army, and now he calls
for five hundred thousand more. Will
he get them? Cries of NO." "No,"
"Never. That is what we have to
decide. The question is whether We
shall die as freemen or live as slaves.
GVoices-"We'll die as freemen. =
y Do you believe Lincoln can CON
quer five hundred thousand men to
put them in the army to conquer
somebody else =? ["No."] Not is all
in vain his own friends don't believe
it,"
JOHN G. EDwABns.-"If I am ar
rested for speaking my opinions TO day
as becomes free American citizen,
will you go home to your workshops
and your fields as if nothing had hap,
pened ?-['No," "No, Tor will you
shoulder your guns, take knives and
pitchforks and fight? Cries of "We
will.'] l believe you will, and l will
stand by you until the last drop Of
blood flows from my veins, Cheers. ]
= * There is courage in the mas
ses, and the great hope is that the peo-
pie will rise in their strength and hurl
the despots from their places. I'm
mense applause. Go home fully i'm
pressed, fellow citizens, that the hour
has come that you have got to strike
for liberty. Are we going 10 allow
VallandiSham to be torn from his
home again as he was once? Cries
of mo, never Five hundred thou
sand more men are called; are You
ready to 60? Cries of NO NO
| am satisfied you will resist with your
lives and at your death, all further en-.
croachments on your lives and liber.
ties. The spark thrown out to-day
notwithstanding it may be ridiculed
rs Lord North ridiculed the first efforts
of our Revolutionary sircs, may spread
and burn until the last vestage Of des'
potism is blotted ont. 1t must start
some place, and l believe it will start
to- day. l see in your faces the stern
determination to put an end to the op'
preston. Petition, demonstrate, de.
nounce, but when all peaccable means
fail be prepared to defend your rights
with your strength. x * The people
are sovereigns, and if We don't assert
our sovereign rights we arc towards
Everything remains lor INC peopIe u
be set right. You know how, and il
you don't do it you are only fit TO be
slaves. [Cheers, Don't lot another
man be taken out Of your county by
despotic power"
GEORGE L. CoNvERsE.-"Mcn, do moi
think of sending yoursons to the army
wom,n do not allow your husbands tt
be taken to augment the slaughter
Mako up your minds TO have peace
take nothing else, and nder all circum
stances keep your powder dry.
:. Cheers There are mad-dogs in the
country, or sheep-killing dogs, anc
plenty of burglars. He who wouIc
steal away a man is to be treated like
any other thief or robbcr. must pu
one question to you,-Shall Presiden'
Lincoln again be allowed to take Val
landigham from his home, as lie die
before? Prolonged cries of mo
never; we'll fight first l though
! you were of the right temper--let i
always be So"