Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-09-14
Great Union Ratification Meeting In
PhiladelDhia. no

Great Union Ratification Meeting in
Philadelphia. Urs
| Twenty ThOusand RIeA In CouneIl.-
Overwhelming Dem onStratIon for
Lincoln and Johnson. -a' 554
Agtand Union ratification meeting was
held in PhiladelphiA on Saturday evening
last, in favor OF Lincoln and johnson. 1t il
represented as the largest and most enthusi.
astiC meeting ever held in the city
Speeches were made by many prominent
men. We copy the remarks of Hon. John
Cessna: -s. -. ~ ..-I .-.-
Mr.. President and fellow. citizsus: Since
the polls were closed on the first Tuesday
of November, 1850, have very rarely sp-
peared before my fellow. citizens as po-
litiesl speaker. Nor dol expect to change
that habit tonight, because, although this
| is to great extent political meeting, yet
in what little ] shall say to my sfelloW-citi-
zens, no matter what others may soy on
the subject, do not wish to be understood
as making q strictly political address. So
far, however, as what 1 have TO say here
to- night may partaks Of political charac-
ter, shall ask the Indulgence of those
Who may hear me- 20 believe me when
say that 1t .Will-in no degree vary in princi.
pie from the pohticAl addresses which
have deligersd xiLhin the last four years or
bat Nox IStnst. t;Vez; Il Am fully sensible,
however, Of the fast that to.night appear
before many OF my felloW-eltizens with
whom have never heretofore politically
acted in harmony. Ny position 10 appear
ing before you, 30 far as relates to my per-
sonal feelings, and so far as relates to the
attachments OF friends. is one of some
In. oh hnld that
these are times when NO man is justified in
Welding to the selfish considerations of
political position or personal feeling. 1t is
bat natural TO desire the good opinion of
all our fellow citizens, and 70 regret when
We are compelled 70 differ with those with
whom we have long acted; but, as have
already said, there are duties devolving up
on MS which are of far more weight and
| influence than the mere considerations OF
personal comfort, and il is the influence OF
those duties upon my mind, upon my con-
science, and upon my judgment which has
brought me here tonight. ApPlause. J.
Although there are many painful consider
ations in connection with my appearance
before you, there are those of different
nature In the first place, those men and
those political journalists with whom for
mally acted, and who, If they notice ouI
proceeding tonight, will doubtless most
4 rudely and extensively denonnee me- are
those who, for the last for years, have beer
the Ioudest, most eloquent, and most per.
sisteht in advocacy of the rightof free speech
and the enunciatiou of individual opinion
In the next place, these men and these pa
4 pers who will denouuce me as q renegade
i and o traitor for what i may say To you
may be improved thereby, for know that
/ have not, aud believe You have not,
heard many of them say anything about
the renegades and traitors that live IN an
Eothet part of the country. (AppiauseJ II
| when they get their hands in, they should
tire of abusing and denouucing me Ant
Others who have been Democrats all oui
4 lives, bnt who have been unable to swallow
the platform lately erected at Chicago, ant
\ will then turn their attention for q shor
ltime to JEFF Davis and his fellow rebels,
II think We will have accomplished something
lfn the interest of our common cause Ant
Iff any one of them, whether he be public
i speaker or public writer, should be bold
4 enough aud patriotic enough 70 speak on
I against the enemies Of our conntry,-I / thinl
II Baruum will be able TO make fortune b.
transporting him around the country as
kind of curiosity. daughter and applause
Now, my fellow citizens, have sale
1 that what little l; may say % you 70 nigh
will not differ in its political eharacte
from anything have ever said before th
people ofmy native State. Lam not her
10 night as The partisan ofany man, or tn
; advocate OF any party. / am here in nj
such capacity. h I have for tHo, three o
tour years past earnestly desired to stan
: by the Democratic party, and while Il wa
, possible, have done so TO the best OF m
knowledge aud ability. am not here :
lde enounee that party nor any OF my friend
who differ. with me onithe present issu'
but am here because l believe that th
best men ofthRt partyyaand the best me
i Of all parties, are called upon by the con
Idition Of our country, by the exigencies Q
1.-The times,s and the probability Of the over
throw Of civil and religious liberty in thi
lfand aud throughout ell the Dations of th
earth, to rise above party and to stand b.
the country, the country's cause, and th
couutry's flag! EOhsers.1 have alWey
been taught to belieyeit to be part
1.-THE creed Of the great party 70 which
have always been, proud 70 belong, I
tatand by the iUniopi to BtRud by the ZOE
stitution, aud 20 uphold that flag. But &
the National Convention OF that part!
Iheid at Charleston, there were men VII
came there determined to- divide and, din
j tract the party. They came there, 40
with the. aid Of men Ia the Peunsylyani
delegationS and in many other Hurther
/ 1deiegatiogs they sueceeded too, wen
their nalariousipurposes. II the eieetio
) of Abraham Lincoln, in 1850, was O nj
tioual calamity, / charge 1t home thi