The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-11-02
THE CRISIS.
Speech by q Merchant.


We give below the speech of Joseph 8.
Fay, Esq a merchant of high standing
and large wealth in Boston. The speech
was delivered in Faneuil Hall on the 18th
Instant, in one Of the largest meetings ev-
er held in the town or city Of Boston
Mr.. Fay, on taking the chair, addressed
the meeting as follows:
SPEECH BY MR. FAY.
FELLOW CIrIzENs-I thank you for
the honor you have done me in calling on
me to preside over this meeting. Inas-
much as am not identified with any ex-
isting political party, 1 owe it doubtless
to the fact that [ am known ever to have
been at The south or at the north an un-
conditional union man [chcers] and that
am friend and admirer of Gen. George
b Mcclellan. [Great cheering With
as much ut stake and with hearts as patri-
otic as any of our opponents, yet entirely
unrecognized by them,7 except to be de-
nounced and abused--without voice or pow
er to influence the policy to be pursued
for three years and half we have united
IN the material support of the administra-
ton, in Its measures for The suppression
of the rebellion and ftr the maintenance
of the lawful government. We have now
the right, thanks to cur yet existing in
stitution. and it is our duty, to try to eff
feet change of leaders which shall carry
our beloved country safely, through the
surging flood in which it struggles. =
Loud applause.] 1t may be that we shall
fail GVoices-"No, no, no, ']-for the
people may not soon enough realize the
need of passing from nediocrity to great
ness in our rulers The blaze of shinplas-
tiers and shoddy prosperity though last
fading. may dazzle and blind them to the
truth, but, if so, we shall fail respectfully.
We shall never be ashamed of OF candi-
dates. [Cheers The day will come, if
not now upon US, when he slang about
rail-splitters and bobbin Loys will be re-
garded with disgust, and the people will
appreciate and seek for the soberqualities
Of trained aud tried men. Such are
George B. Mcclellan and George Fl. Pen
dleton. Loud applause The savior of
Kentucky, Western Virginia and Mary
land-.he creator of armies and river na-
sies; the organizer of victory for what
substantial success achieved did he not
plan in 1862 ?)-the terrar of the rebels
IN Richmond-the successful defender of
Washington, cheers tho victor at An
teitam Loud applause]-the soldier
statesman, whose strategy and wisdom,
events have, fully vindicated-for two
years the accomplishing victim of brutal
partisan maIace and official persecution,
Gen. Mcclellan, the Christian gentleman,
stands out to-day, ripened and chastened
by adversely, every inch man. of whom
all Americans should be proud. Load
applause Calm ard equabie, whether
in retirement or in highest command
schooled and developed by suffering, as
were the great men of the revolution, and
of the davs of W Webster and Jackson, he
is like our grand old Bunker Hill monu-
ment, when, after period of biindine
mist and storms, the sun breaks out upon
its massive column, and shows in full re.
lief and clearness its solid, u1diminished
proportions. Applause.] Our business
tonight is to welcome and to receive the
report of our delegates to the Chicago con-
vention, which assembly of the represent
atives of the people has nominated Gen.
Mcclellan for the presidency. 1t has
most ftly done this, almost upon the very
anniversary of the day when, in 1862
stripped of all command, even of his own
escort, he was entreated by President Lin
coin and Gen. Halleck to take suprems
direction of affairs and save them from
annihilation-andh he did it. Loud Ap.
plause.] God ant in his mercy that the
people may be wise enough to follow the
high example with like good results
III Heaven save the nation from the evil con
sequences of the presidents subsequent
ingratitude and neglect to Use such man
for the nations welfare. May Heaven
save the people themselves from such sins
on their own part, and soon restore to US
the blessings Of peace and unity. Loud
applause.]