Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-04-26
ag4altg Gmpire.
GeneraI PIerce,s speech. .

The New Hampshire Patriot publishes tho
following speech of General Pierce, when
called upon, in Concord, last Saturday night.
FELLow.TowEsMEN come to ascertain
the motives Of this call What is your de.
sire:
Some person in the crowd replied ,
1--WE wish to hear some words from YOU on
this sad occasion" General Pierce proceed.
ed i
wish could address to you words of sol
ace But that can hardly be done. The
magnitude Of the calamity, in all of its as.
pecls, ia overwhelming. IL your hearts are
oppressed by events more calcuate TO ava /.
ken profound sorrow and regret than any
which have hitherto occurred in our history,
mine mingles its deepest regrets and sorrows
with yours. 1t is to be hoped that the great
wckedress and strocity was confined. NOR.
rally and actually, to thelheads aud hearts of
but two individuals of all those who slill
survive on this continent and that they
may speedily, and in obedience 10
law, meet the punishment due to
their unparalleled crimes II is we'll that
y0u--it is well that I--well that all men wor.
thy to be called citizens Of the United States,
make manifest, in oil suitable forms, the
emotions incident to the bereavement aud
distress vii ieh have been brought to the hearths
and homes oftbe two most conspicuous fam
lilies of the Re public. give them nv warm.
outgushing sympathy, as ! am sure all per
sons within the hearing Of my voice must do
But beyond personal grief and loss, there will
abide with us inevitably the most painful
memories Because, as citizens obediept 10
Law, reveriug The Constitution holding fast TO
the Union, thankful for the period Of history
which succeeded the Revolution in so many
years Of peaceful growth and prosperity, and
loving, with the devotion Of true and faithful
children, all that belongs to the advance
ment and glory of the nation, we can never
forget cr'cease to deplore the great crime
and deep stain.
A voice from the crowd-"Wbere is your
aag2"
1t is not necessary for me 10 show my de.
voiiou for the Stars and Stripes by any spe-
cial exhibition, or upon the demand of any
manor body OF men. Ny ancestors followed
II through the Revolution--one of them, at
least, never having seen hi4 mothers roofI
from the beginning to the close of that pro !
traeted struggle. Ny brothers followed il in |
the war Of 1912; and left my family in the
Spring of le47, among you, to follow its for
tunes and maintain it upon n foreign soil -
But thls yon all know II the period during
which have served our State and country la /
various situations, commencing more than
thirty-tige years ago have left the question Of |
my devotion to the flag, the Constitution and
the Union, in doubt, it is too late now TO re.
move it by any such exhibition as the inquiry
suggests. Besides, to remove such doubts
from minds where they have been cultivated
by spirit Of domination and partisan rancor.
iiEsuch thing we're possible, would be of no
consequences to you, and is certainly of none
to me. The malicious queshonings would |
return to reassert their supremacy, and pur.
sue the work of injustice
Conscious Of the infrmities of temperament
which TO greater or less extent beset us all,
have never felt or found that violence or
passion was ultimately productive Of benefi-
cent results. 1t is gratifying to perceive that
your observation, brieier than mine, has led /
your mind to the same conclusion. What a
priceless commentary upon this general
thought, is the final reported conversation be.
tween the late President and his Cabinet; and
with that dispatch comes news to warrant tho
cheering hope that in spite Of the knife of the
assassin, the life and intellect of the Secretary
OF State may, through Providence be spared
10 as in this appalling emergency
thank you for the silent attention with
which you have listened to me, and for the
manifestations OF your approval as nv neigh.
bors and will not delain you in this storm
longer than to add my best wishesfor YOU all,
and for what, individually and collectively, we
ought to hold most dear-our country-our
whole country. Good night