The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-07-13
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friend or foe who undertakes to trample
it under foot yet beyond doubt we will
reserve the right to alter it to suit our:
selves from time to time and from gener-
alton to generation. One more idea on
that subject: We have incorporated Id
that instrument the right of revolution;
which gives US, without doubt the right
to change it. 1t never existed before In
the American States, and there IL no need
of rebellion, insurrection or civil war, e4-
cept upon a denial of the fundamental
principles Of all free governments that the
major part must rule, and there is no 9TH
er way of carrying on society except that
the will Of the majority shall be the will
of the whole. So that in one word, I'd
deny the principles have tried to state;
is to make dogmatic assertion tha: the
only form of government that is possible
with perfect liberty, and acknowledged
by God, IS pure and absolute despotisrn.
The principles, therefore, which | am try
ing to state before you, are principles
which, if they be not true, freedom is i'm
possible, and no government but one Of
pure force can exist or ought to endure
among men.
But the idea which I wished to carry
out as the remedy for these troubles and
sorrows, dreadful as they are, is this -
This fearful truth runs through the whole
history Of mankind that whatever else
may be done to give stability to authority,
whatever else may be done to give perpe-
tuity to institutions, however wise, how
ever glorious, practical, and just may be
the physiology of it, it has been found
that the only enduring, only imperishable
cement of all free institutions has been
the bleod of traitors No Government
has ever been built upon unperishable
foundations, which foundations were not
laid in the blood of traitors. 1t is a fear
! ful truth but we had as well avow it at once
and every lick you strike, and every rebel
you kill every battle you win, dreadful as
it is to do it; you are adding, it may be
year, it may be ten years, it may be cen
tury, it may be ten centuries, to the life
of the Government, and the freedom of
your children. Now passing over that
idea, passing over many other things
which it would be right for me to say, did
time serve, and were this the occasion. let
mo add, you are Union party. Your
origin has been referred to as having Oc
Cured eight years ago. In one sense it IS
true that you are far older than that see
before me not only primitive Republicans
and primitive Abolitionists, but l see,
also, primitive Democrats, and primitive
Wings, primitive Americans and, if you
will allow me to say so, myself am here.
who, all my life, have been party to my
self. AS Union party | will follow you
to the euds of the earth and to the gates
of death, but as Republican party, as an
Abolition party, as Wing party, as
Democratic party, as an American party,
( will not follow you one foot. But it is
true of the mass of the American people.
however you may divide and scatter, while
this war lasts, while this country is in
peril, while you cali yourselves as you DO
in the call of the Convention, the Union
party, you are for the preservation Of the
Union ard the destruction of this Rebel
lion, root and branch; and, iu my Judy
ment one of the great errors that has been
committed by our Administration OF the
Federal Government, tie chief of which
we are about to nominate for another term
of 0tice-one Of the great errors has been
to believe that we have succeeded when
whe have not succeeded, and to act in
manner which is precisely for those who
have succeeded. You will not, you can.
not succeed until you have utterly broken
the military power Of this people. win not
'detaln you on these incidental points, ono
OF which has been made prominent IN the
remarks of the excellent Chairman Of the
National Committee. | do not know what
/ would be willing to do so far as, proba-
bly,, he would, but | cordially agree with
him In this, | think considering what has
been done about Slavery, taking the thing
as it now stands, overlooking ;ltogether,
either in way of condemnation or approval
any act that has brought US to the point
where we are but believing in MP con-
science and with all my heart that what
has brought US to where we are in the
matter of Slavery, is the original sin and
folly Of treason and Secession Because
you remember that the Chicago, Conven-
tion itself was understood, and | believe
it virtually did explicitly state, that they
would not touch Slavery in the State
Leaving it, therefore, altogether oct ofth
question how we came where VIC are on
that point, we are prepared to 30 further
than the original Republicans Themselves
were prepared to 60. We are prepared
to demand not only that the whole terri
tory Of the United States shall Dol be made