The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1864-09-09

was unanimously agreed to, and Gov Sey-
mour was conducted to the chair amidst
the most enthusiastic plaudits. 1t was
hardly known until he was seen moving
down the aisle toward the Speakers char,
tha, the motion had been put TO vote,-
it was done so quietly but when he ap-
peared upon the stand and bowed gra-
cious acknowledg edgement, the delegates and
the thousands of persons in the galleries
became frantic with enthusiasm. The air
was darkened With one grand flourish of
hats and handkerchlefs, tossed relentlessly
against the roof of the amphitheatre the
delegates arose from their seats and Joined
in grand chorus of applause: men in the
galleries swung their hats and cheeted I'LL
they were hoarse; and for three minutes
the shouts of the vast multitude were deaf
ming. When quiet was restored, the
Governor addressed the convention as fol-
lows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION Il
thank you for the high honor you have
con ferred upon me in making me presi>
dent of this body. The importance of the
occasion has already been expressed in fiji
ting words by your temporary charm an.
I have not language to tell with what anx-
ious solicitude the peopl Of this country
watch our proceedings. The prayers Of
men and women in ten thousand homes
90 up to heaven that we may be so guild
ed in our delit erations that our action
may conduce to the restoration Of our
Union, to the return of peace, and the
maintainance Of liberty in this land =
TCheers. 1t is not for me to forecast
your action-it is lot for me to say what
methods may be adopted to relieve this af-
f1cted country of ours. But while may
not speak on that subject, can, with pro-
priety, allude to the sentiments which does
animate YOU all. There is no man
here who does not love the Union.-
| TCheers There is no man here who does
not desire peace. Cheers. There is no
man here who is not resolved to uphold
the great principles Of constitutional free
dom. Applause. l know that the ut
most importance attaches to all your pro-
ceedings. l know it is of vital conse-
quence that you should select such men
as your candidates as enjoy the confidence
Of the American people But beyond
platforms and beyond candidates, there
are other considerations of still greater
significance and Importance. When you
wish to know what the policy of party
will be you must strive to learn the pass
ions and sentiments which animate that
party. Four years ago, in this city, there
was an asseublage OF citizens from tie DIFF
ferent parts Of our country who me. here
for the purpose Of placing in nomination a
candidate for the presidency. They put
forth declarations that they would not in
terfere with the rights Of the states of this
Union. They did not intend to destroy
our country-they did not mean to break
down its institutions But unhappily they
were influenced by sectional prejudces, by
fanatcsm, by bigotry, and by intolerance,
and We have found in the course Of the
last four years that their animating senti>
ments have overruled their declarations
and their promises, and swept them on,
step by step, until they have been carried
on to actions from which at the outset
they would have shrunk away with horror
Even now, when war has desolated our
land, has laid its heavy burthens upon la
Dor, when bankruptcy and ruin ovefhang
US, they will not have Union except upon
conditions unknown to our constitution :;
they will not let the shedding of blood to
cease, even for little time, to see if chris
tian charity or the wisdom Of statesman
ship may not work out a method to save
our country. Nay, more than this, they
will not listen to proposal for peace
which does lot offer that which this gov
eminent has no right to ask
This administration cannot now save
the Union if it would. 1t has, By its proc
amaton, by yindictive legislation, by dis
play of hate and passion, placed obstacles
in its own pathway which it cannot over
come, and has hampered its own freedom
of action by unconstitutional acts 1t
cannot be said that the failure of its poll
cy is due to the want of courage and de-
votion Oh The part OF our armies. Cheers |
Never in the worlds history have soldiers
given up their lives more freely than have
those of the armies which have batted for
the flag of our Union in the southern
states. The world will hold that they
have done all that arms can do; and had
wise craftsmanship secured the fruits of
their victories, to-day there would have
been peace in our land. Much applause |
But while our soldiers have desperately
struggled to carry our banner southwark
to the Gulf of Mexico, even now the gov
ernment declares that rebellious discon
tent has worked northward to the shores
OF the great lakes. The guaranteed right
of the people to bear arms has been sus>
pended up to the very borders of Canada !;
so tha: American servitude is put in bold
contrast with British liberty. This ad
ministration thus declares to the world
that it has now no faith in the people of
states whose votes placed it in power +;
and it also admits by such edicts that
those people have no faith in this admin
istration, while those in power, without re
morse, sacrifice the blood and treasures OF
: rour people, they will rnt give up their
own passions for the public good.
The Union ia held asunder by mill
tary ambition If our political troubles
could no ro farrad To the peacef,,l a-L;,ra