Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-09-08
Remarks OF GeOrge w. HOuk at
the Ratification Meeting on
Tuesday Evening last,

tuesday Evening Last,
Nc Geo W. Houk, after some prelimina-
~ remarks endorsing the Chicago nomina-
lions said the issue was now fairly made up
before the people The great object sought
to be attained by all, was the restoration of
the Federal Union.
The opposition seek TO attain il through the
fundamentally OF War We seek to attain
it BY an Armistice and a National Convention
OF the States These are the two distinct
and only plans proposed, and il remains for
the people to decide, in voting either for Gen.
Mcclellan or Mr.. Lincoln, which one they
will choose.
II you choose War, you must choose with
it the abolition Of slavery, the conGscstion
Of the property OF the South, the devastation
OF a country whose resources we are interest
ed in preserving you must consent to yield up
every able bodied man in the North, to aug
ment the national debt to such a degree that
its payment will be utterly hopeless, you must
submit to see trampled under foot, the liberty
Of the press, freedom Of speech, the elective
franchise, and the security OF your homes
from arbitrary search, and military invasion !;
for say to you, gentlemen, that If this war
is to go on in the spirit 10 which it is waged,
and Tor Tue purposes declared by its advo-
Gates, it means all these things Not only
this, but the sacred liberty OF religious wor-
ships also to be sacrificed 1t was but
few d .ys ago that a Bishop of the Catholic
church OF Natohez, was ordered by a Military
Commander to interpolate the liturgy Of
that ancient and HOLY faith with a prayer
for Abraham Lincoln and his associ-
ates in this carnival OF blood The inso.
ience of Power when backed with bayonets
will brook no differences Of opinion either 10
polincs or in religion. you choose war,
you must choose it with all its incidents, and
you must consent to see the utter and entire
50 nOoTdination of the civil 10 the military pow
er in this country
Besides the experiment of war has already
been tried for more than three years. No
people on earth have ever submitted to auoh
sacrifices as the people of the North have
made TO make this experiment Of war to re-
store the Union successful More than two
millions of men have been asked for aud
given-money has been poured out with a
prodigality absolutely startling and unparal-
eled Braver men never trod the footstool
OF God, than have gone forth to battle in this
hopeless contest If the end in view had
been capable of attaiument.b by war, why has
II not been reached2 Nc, gentlemen. the
Union is not restored by war, nor can it ever
be-simply because the thing is in its nature
impossible In the past history of war, bat
ties we're fought in day Napoleon broggh ght
Austria aud Russia to mis- feet at Austeriilz
and only fought from the rising to the setting
suu--but our soldiers igbt not only for days
continuously, but for weeks aDd even months
indeed some OF our recent campaigns have
been almost one continual battle Bat even
6. a al.
lion Of the South, what sort of Union would
that restore2 1t would not be Federal, but
mere territorial Union 1t would entail
upon us ali, North and South, untold evils
Now upon the other hand, what means do
we propose, to restore the country TO its for
mer prosperity We distinctly propose a
cessation of hosflities and a National Con-
0eHtion of the States A cessation of hostil-
ttes implies, FIRST the arrest of the flow of
olool, the drying up of the tears
Of wives who mourn for their husbands,
Of parents who weep for their children, and
Of children who weep for their fathers slain
in battle or by disease 1t can be granted
without dishonor to anybody. 1t yields moth.
ing, admits nothing TO the detriment of any
one. Then this first great step taken, What
next2 l answer, a convention of the States.
form of government was formed. It's assem-
bling did not affect in any way, the prior or
gahization of the government, under the arti-
ces Of confederation. So, now, the assem-
bling of such body would not imply dis
solution of the government as it exists ut
present. nor in anywise affect its operations
Its task would simply be, TO devise measures
in the nature of constitutional provisions TO
settle the matter in difference between the
North and South which have led to this col
lision, and to restore Federal Union between
all the States. No action Of this body would
be valid until ratified and confirmed by free
vote of the people on its submission to them.
And that, gentleman, in my judgment, is the
only true, Just, and honorable method of set
tlng this great controversy The people have
he right to be the final Judges If they don't
want Federal Union, although believe thai
to be the form Of government best adapted 10
promote the welfare OF all, then lei q form Of
/ government be adopted which they will ap-
prove Of If the people Of the North are so
irreconcilably opposed to slavery that they
will not live ia a Federal Union with slave
holding States, then let them have Union of
uon.slaveholding States, and concede the same
privilege to the people OF the South which
they claim for themselves. If majority Of
the people of the States OF the North want
consolidated, instead of q confedersted form
of government, it is their right 10 have it, but
it is not their right to force it upon the people
Of other States who desire different form -
For my own part, / believe the discussons Of
such convention would demonstrate the Fed
eraI system as that best calculated to promote
the welfare and happiness Of all the States of
the American Union; and that it would be
reafirmed and reRdopted, with such essential
notifications and amendments, as the expert
ence of the past has pointed out as necessary
TO secure our permanent happiness and pros
perity
The Young MANS TIckst.