Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-09-23
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN CESSNA.
Delivered Philadelphia,
Saturday Sept. 10th 1854.

Mr.. President and fellow-citizens Since the /
polls were closed on the first Tuesday of Noven-
Der, 1860, have very rarely appeared before my |
felIow-citizens as political speaker Nor do | I
expect to change that habit tonight because, al /
though this is to great extent a political meet
ing, yet in what little shall say 10 my fellow cit
zens, no matter what others may say on the sub I
ect | do not wish to be understood as making
strictly political address. So far, however, as
what have to say here tonight may partake Of
political character shall ask the Indulgence of
those who may hear me, to believe me when /
say that it will in no degree vary in principle from
the political addresses which [ have delivered
within the last four years, or at any former time
[ am fully sensible however, of the fact that to-
night I appear before many Of my fellow-citizens
with whom | have never heretofore politically
acted in harmony. Ny position in appearing be-
fore YOU so far as relates to the attachments Of
friends, is one of a somewhat painful character
vet hold that these are times when no man Is
justified in yielding to the selfish considerations of
political position or personal feeling. It's butnat-
ural todesirethe good opinion of all our ellowciti
zehs, and to regret when we are compelled to diff
! fer with those with whom we have long acted but
as have already said, there are duties deyolying
upon us which are of far more weight and influence
than the mere considerations of personal comfort,
and it is the influence of those duties npon my
mind upon my cccncience, and upon my Judge
ment which has brought Inc here tonight. Ap-
pIayse Although there many painful considera-
tious in connection with my appearance before
YOU, there are those of different nature. In the
first place, those men and those political journal
lists with whom formerly acted and who, if they
notice our proceeding tonight. viii doubtless
most rudely and extensively denonnce me- are
those who for the last four years, have been the
loudest most eloquent, and most persistent IN adj
vocacy of the right of free speech and the enuh-
ciation Of individual opinion. In ihe next place,
these men and these papers who viii perhaps de-
lnounce me as a renegade and a traitor for what l
i may say to you, may be improved thereby, for |
know that have not, and Ibeeve thatyou have
not. heard many Of them say anything about the
renepades and traitors that hye in another part
of the country Applause If, when they get
their hand in, they should tire ofabusing and de-
nouncing me and others who have been Democrats
all our lives, but have been unable to swallow the
nlatform lately erected at Chicago, and viii then
turn their attention for short time to jeff Davis
and his fellow rebels, | think We will have accom-
nlished something in the interests ofour common
cause. And if any of them, whether he be pub
lie sneaker or a public writer, should be bold e
neugh and patriotic enough to speak out agains
the enemies OF our country, | think that Barnun
$ win be able to make fortune by transporting
him around the country as kind of curiosity
! Laughter aud applause
Now my fellow citizens, have said that wha
little may say to you tonight viii not differ IL
its political character from anything | have eve
said before the people of my native State, an
not here tonight as the portisan of any man, o
the advocate of any party. am here IN no suci
capacity have for two three, 3r four years pas
earnestly desired TO stand by the Democratic par
ty. and while it was possible, have done SO to tn
e best of my judgement and ability. am not her
/, to denounce that party nor any OF my friends wh
differ with ME on the present issue but l am her
because believe that the best men OF that par
~. and the best men of all parties, are called up
on by the condition of our country, by the exigen
ees Of the times, and the probability OF the over
throw of civil and religious liberty in this Ian
and throughout all the nations of the earth, I
rise above party and to stand by the country tn
countrv's cause. aud the country flag. lCheers.
!. have always been taught to believe it to be
part of the creed Of the great party to winch
have always been proud to belong to and to stan
BY the Union, to stand BY the Constitution, an
- to uphold that flag. But at the National Col
yention Of that party, held at Charlestown, the
were men who came there determined to dlVt
and distract the party. They came there az
ar with the aid of men in the Pennsylvania deegatio
jim and in many other Northern delegations, th'
succeeded too well in their nefarious purposes