Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-10-12
SPEECH OF THE
Hon. Henry Stanberry.
AT NEWPORT, KY, SEPT. IL, 1864
Against A Change Of Admins
tFatfOn.


this rebellion, that it was fortunate
thing, since it WAS TO begin, that 1t did
begin when Presidential election was
as remote as possible. l had seen too
much of our Presidential contests not to
dread the fierce party strifes which they
engender The great work then before
the nation required our undivided atten-
tion. The great issue then presented
was, whether we could save the nation
Save it first and administer it afterwards,
seemed to me the dictates OF wisdom
Finish the contest with the rebels, and
then begin, if you please, the other con-
test for the spoils of victory.
So, for nearly four years, the contest
for the preservation of the nation has
gone on; but it is not ended, and at last
Presidential election has come in, like
a disturbing force, before the good work
is quite finished. In this particular the
rebels are more fortunate In anticipa
tion of the contest before..them, they
said no Presidential election should dis
turb them for SIX years; and the conse'
quence is, that the same fixed will, the
same experienced leader, that has car
ried on their affair from the beginning,
still holds the reins. And so. unlike
ourselves, they are free from a party
contest of their own, and quite at liber-
ty TO take seat in this party contest OF
ours Does any one need to ask on
which side? 1t is true, they can't vote.
If, throughout what is left of the South
can Confederacy, they should regularly
choose electors for President, at the very
time aud manner fixed in our Constitu-
ton, hardly think their votes would be
received. No party at the North has as
yet gone quite to that length in favor OF
free elections. No one has as yet admit
ted the vote of rebel in arms; but if
the rebel had no arms in his hands,
though out and out disloyal, he may, ac-
cording to some, do any thing, utter any
thing in favor of the rebellion, and yet
he is good voter, and perfectly entitled
to the free ballot.
But let US suppose that rebels in arms
are allowed to vote. What States in the
Confederacy would vote for Abraham Lin
coin? What States in the Confederacy
would not vote for George B. MoClellani
Which do you think would stand in
that region, the best chance for the Vice
Presisency, johnson or Pendleton? II
you were called uIon to stake your mon
ey upon such an election, would you hes
itateH No, my friends, you would give
ten to one upon Mcclellan against Lin
coln-or any odds on Pendleton against
the field.
Let us put it another way. Who
would Davis vote for? Consider that
men of the North OF these two men
now presented to your choice, if Dayi
had a vote, which of them would get it
You wish to vote for the man most like
ly to put down the rebellion; Davis OIL
the contrary, would cast his vote for th'
man least likely to do it. am not
betting man; if were, l would give an.
odds that the arbitrator would vot
for Mcclellan.
There is an ancient maxim that it il
wise to learn from our foes. If they pre-
fer Mcclellan, we can have no stronge
reason for preferring Lincoln. There
another thing which-we are taught b.
this rebel preference for the Chicag
nominee-and that is, that Lincoln
considered by the South the most fol
midable antagonist of the two. McClel
lan's friends tell US, that he, too, goes 70
a prosecution of the war, and that he
as good Union man as Lincoln. Tha
may be so, but the rebels are not of tina
opinion. If fighting is to be the order c
the day, they would rather fight No
Clellan than Lincoln. They have trie
them both, and they prefer Mcclellan 9
, an an tagonist.
1t was said at Chicago that the war ha
cen d failure under the auspices of Lin
coin, and therefore they present di
tinguished General to take his place.
But how does it happen that the ret
els are equally anxious to get rid of Lir
coln7 Do they find fault with him b.
cause he has failed to whip themi D
they want to change him for Mcclellan
because Mcclellan will fight them MOI
successfully Do they, think yol
wish to change an antagonist who's
2 blows are feeble and easily warded, #
one who has more skill and will strii
harder7
Now, my friends, let US examine the
! opposing candidates and their platform
for ourselves.
And first, let US take cognizance of u
new men-those who are brought fc
ward as better men for the great busine
in hand, than those now in place.
general and a member of Congress
* both gentlemen of intelligence and !
It. spectability-but neither of them at {
likely to have been thought of as canC
- dates, except to represent particul
ideas. Therefore one is to represent t
War Democrats the other the Peace De
ocrats; and yet they must stand on Il
8. same platform, and seem to represent
at united party.
On the eastern portico of the Capt.
at Washington stand two colossal statu
: Ono represents War, with sword in har
the other Peace, holding the elive bran'
Weld these statues together, back to ba'
and you have the efigies of McClelli
and Pendleton. -----.-
Look now at our Union candidat
Lincoln and johnson are OF one mind
Each equally intent on one great purp'
apd that is 10 mt doun this rrhalll0n