The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1864-10-07
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% f''''' From he Newark ~ ~ Journal.
SPEECH OF THE HON. FERNANDO
.,j .i.4J' WOOD p. e..,r. III!

SPEECH OF THE HON. FERNANDO
j 4,I,a1' WOOD = a.ar" ga!
DELIVERED AT; A. MooLELtAN RATIFI-
- CATION MEETING, In NEWARK, MI. I
Fellow Citizens 1t is now four years
since l had the honor Of delivering in the
city Of Newark political address, 1 have
been reminded Of the fact that four years
ago, preceding the last Presidential cleo
tien,oI had accepted an invitation to speak
to the Democracy of this city. FROM that
day to this | have had no opportunity to
confer with my political friends here
While listening to the speakers that have
preceded me, my mind resistlessly wan
dered back to the time when last appear.
ed here!"' d" 'As''.'is l'' '"' NV T''..
!]sMr. Wood then proceeded to draw a
contrast Of the times preceding the last
Presidential election and the present day.
-Four years ago we were free, prosperous
and happy people; our flag was respected
all over the world our commerce was in
every ocean our ambassadors were re.
ceived everywhere with respect, and all
the world were looking upon us with won.
der, awe and fear At home we were
united from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
all living happily under the Constitution,
and each worshlping God according tothe
dictates of his own conscience. Now,
how changed the scene !! Our best blood
had been poured out in a fruitless war, ana
discord reigned where once all was har-
mony and peace. He asked them, freed
from all excitement, to contemplate this
change. The Constitution was no longer
regarded as our law; we we're despised BY
the nations of Europe !; rent asunder by
fratricidal strife; ruled by an Admins.
tration whose governing motives were am
bition and hate one million Of lives,
splendid specimens Of American manhood,
had been lost'in carrying on the war; no
protection for either rich or poor tyrau-
py was denounced only at hazard of liber.
~, and provost 'marshals were everywhere
threatening us with deprivation Of the
freedom: beqdeathed to us by our forefath.,
ers. Thus all we had inherited was on
the imminent verge of dissolution. 20. ~.
why was this change, within so short
period of time? He had no reproachcs
to offer against men who honestly differ
from him in political views. Some say
all our troubles are owing to the spirit Of
Paritanism which pervades portion Of
our country; others trace our diff ;ulties
to the division Of the Democratic party,
and still others to other sources. He
would nlyesay the fact was undeniable
that the trouble was upon US. For him.
self, he would say, let the past take care
Of the past; our duty was now to consid-
er what is the best course to pursue to
bring back peace and happiness to our
country. We had now an unfortunate
war upon our hands, and once il" four
years Americans were allowed to remedy
theesils underwhich they labored, through
the ballot-box. Wepropose, therefore, to
right the Old Slip Of State once more,
aud put her in smooth water, where, I'M
der the guidance IF Almighty God, we
shall all be once more citizens Of the Uni
ted States. How was this to be done p
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. has proven its incom-
potency either to carry on the war or to
make peace. We had given every man
and every dollar they had asked for, and
the rebellion is not yet crushed. Five
Thousand millions of dollars Of public debt
were now hanging over the American
people, which had either to b. liquidated
or repudiated,, and still we had not crush
cd tie rebel on. What was the cause p
It layeitheri in want of capacity on the
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