The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1864-11-03
A Great speech.

National Hall, Philadelphia, Vice Presi-
dent Hamlin made a most eloquent and
glowing speech, in the course of which
occurred the following remarks
| take it that in all this audience-nay
| IN all the country there is no man who
! IS not In favor of peace. | am for peace.
| am peace man, and come tonight to
talk to you of the best method of securing
peace. Those who are as dear to me as
| any that you have are to you, are interes-
ted in the return of peace. There arc
vacant places at my own hearthstohe, and
when peace shall return to this land, there
will come back, trust, TO my own house
hold those who are as dear to me as yours
can be to you. If the termination Of this
war be procrastinated, those members Of
my household are subject to all the haz.
ards of battle. | want peace. You want
peace. Above, all, the rebels want peace.
[Applause.l They are beginning to feel
the halter draw around their necks ; they
are beginning TO feel that little of the
staple of Missouri will be applicable to
their own persons. They are beginning
to feel in regard to the suspension of the
suspended, the corpus will be. Laugh
ter. / Who in all our unfortunate country
does not desire that peace shall return to
our distracted land? !? What have been
the sacrifices that we have made upon the
red battle field How many homes have
been desolated? Indeed, Ia what home
throughout the broad North does not
gloom sit upon the social hearthstone 2
But We want a peace, my friends, which
shall be lasting as time. We want a
peace that shall eradicate every seed that
might generate another war We want a
peace, and we have almost conquered it,
that shall impose upon those that follow
us no such dread duties as belong TO US.
But / thank my God that [ live in this
day L knew-every discerning man
time this struggle was to come. No one
but coward would shirk it, and every
gallant man will thank his God that he
lives in the day and hour when he can
participate in this struggle by his voice,
by his means, and by his efforts
In all che history OF our country since
we have been Government we have been
familiar with the organization of parties.
They have subserved, and they viii sub
serve, useful purpose. But [ am not
aware that, until this day, any party in
this country has been other than loyal
party. Iu times Of peace, it is wise, 1t is.
best that there should DC In the communi-
ty different political organizations, that
they may watch each other. But all par
ties that have heretofore existed have only
divided upon the simple question Of the
administrative policy of the Government.
Never, until now, has party grown up
with disloyalty as its basis. But at time
like the present tnere should be no party
but the party of the country. Conven-
tons may adopt their party platforms;
but [ am frank to say, as an independent
man, that l hold to but one platform,
which is expressed in but two words-our
country. [Applause.] That platform is
brief iE its terms, but it is prehensive.
As to tie political organization of which
this meeting tonight is one OF the mani
festatious, i deny that we area party
We are an association formed for the pur-
pose of forwarding the cause of the Union.
This is our object-nothing else. That
object rises far above every mere political
consideration. Why, my friends, 1 can
not look down low enough to see man
who, at such time as this, claims to be
a party man. | cannot comprehend the
motive which directs the course of such
man. | say that our country is at this
time the only platform for the patriotic
citizen. We are men of all political an-
tecedents-men who have been members
of all political parties; but have no other
flag than the old stars and stripes, and no
other country than our own beloved Re-
public. [Applausc. | have been all my
life party man; / am now party man,
but | would be ashamed OF myself if [
should come here tonight to talk OF party
doctrines and party creeds. ] am "a Re
publican all over, from the end of my hair
to the end of my toe-nails. Laughter.
I only state that fact do not want to
bring it into the discussion of the great
questions at issue. lay aside in the dis
cussion Of these questions all partisan
feelings. The flag of my country, the
Union and the Constitution are the con-
sidcrations by which l appeal to you.
Let ME ask you, what are our duties to
the Government? Do we not too often
forget what are the obligations that we
owe to cur Government? Government is
in the nature os contract with its citi-
zens. Governments are ordained of God.
With no Government, there is anarchy