The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-09-29
JOHN WENTWORTH ON VALLAND-
IGHAM.


Democratic National Convention, says
correspondent to the N. Y. Tribune, Val
landigham made set speech to a GROVE
of 10000 persons, from the North steps
of the Chicago Court House. The har
rangue was soaked in gall and wormwood
against the Administration and was fierce
in invective against the further prosecu-
tion of the war; The crowd was composed
of Irish and Butteruuts chiefly, with a
sprinkling of Republicans drawn thither
by curiosity, to hear what the martyr
would have to say. He was vociferously
applauded at the end of every sentence.
A knot of clacquers about the steps and
stand would give the sigual for cheering,
and the rabble would then strike in. A.
mong the listeners at the outskirts of the
meeting was ''Long john Wentworth,
who lowered up a head and shoulders a.
bove the crowd. For some time past
"John" has not been in very good stand
ing in the Republican party, but has been
bowing somewhat toward the Fremont
movement, and has been saying, that if
the Democratic Convention would nomi-
nate candidates on war platform, he did
not know but he might be tempted to sup
port them.
Then, when Vallandigham had finished
his two hours defamation against the
Government and the continuance of the
war, in which he denounced the doctrine
of coercion and contended for the 'sov-
ereignty of the States" and the right of
secession, some one in the crowd called
out "Long John" "Long John" Hun
dreds of others Joined in the call for Long
John to speak. In obedience to the "call''
John made his way to the stand and was
introduced to the crowd by DR.. Wicker
sham, chairman Of the meeting. The
Copperheads generally expected that John
was going to deliver Democratic speech
and give in his adhesion to the opposition.
Eallandigham in his speech had declared
that one-third of the Republicans had
gone over to his party and it was sup
posed by many that Wentworth was one
of the ''third."
Below I send you verbatim report of
his remarks. 1t was the biggest thing Of
the Convention week.
There was no other Republican in Hi
nois that could have obtained hearing
in reply to Vallandigham from that crowd
of red hot Copperheads. The effect of
the speech was electrical. 1t completely
took the poison out of Vals harrargue.-
The Republicans of the city forgave
"Long John" for his many past trespass-
es against them, and withdrew Hon. L
saac n. Arnold and Hon. l. Ward, rival
candidates for Congress, from the track,
and in District Convention, nominated him
unanimously to represent Chicago in Con-
gress. He will be elected by three or
four thousand majority. He promises to
behave himself, ''quit cutting up dog"
and pull true in the Republican team
After this long preface [ hope you will
let your readers sec the speech In full.
1t is short and to the point.
JOHN WENTWORTH ON vALLANDIGHAM
On the retirement of Vallandigham
from the Court House steps, the crowd
called for ''Long John" "Wentworth,"
the two names being synonymous in
Chicago for our Police Commissioner
Mr.. Wentworth appeared on the stand, a
mid much cheering, aud said:
"I am pleased with the opportunity
which your call affords me to lay my own
views of public policy and 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.
at has long been part of my politi-
cal ethics that the true method Of discus
sing public affairs was for the pros and
cons to go together before the people. In
every public address for the past years of
my life | have enforced the correctness of
this understanding.
'I therefore request the attention Of
all, for am no party man. | am chain
ed to the partisan car of no class, no in
tercst, no organization to my country
and to my country alone do [ owe fealty
and render homage. love that country.
1t nurtured me in my youth, it honored
me in my manhood, aud now when [ have
passed the meridian of life | love to res
pond to any call to plead in her behalf.
(Applause.) AS we cast our eyes over the
land and witness the tears that every
where prevail, and the dangers that now
environ the Republic, the heart of the
patriot sinks with doubt and dread
War, with all its calamities following in
its train, is convulsing the nation. The
art of arms has succeeded the pursuits of
peace, and nearly a million of men con-
front each other in battle array. Amid
the horrors of war we naturally look and
long for peace. The fathers and moth
ers of Chicago, whose sons are Drawing
the hazards of battle and the perils of dis
ease, long for peace. The wives of Hi
nois, whose husbands have perished and
are perishing in the terrible struggle,
send up their daily prayers for the cessa-
ton of the strife My own wish and hope
is for peace. My regret, when the mad
dened traitors of South Carolina fired up
on the National ensign and forced the
Federal authority into a conflict, was not