The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-09-06
SP ECH OF
Gen. GEORGE W. MORGAN,
Democratic Candidate for
Governor.

BcEuOCFttAC SseuO kUaIS AOr
Governor.
,fs DELIVERED BEFORE THE
State Convention, August "a, 1865.
Hon. Allen G.. Thurman rose and said
he would propose to the Convention the
name Of man for Governor, of great in
telligence and capacity; thorough blood
| ed Democrat, an honest man; and gallant
soldier-Gen. George w. Morgan; and he
moved that the General be nominated by
acclamation-which motion prevailed by
unanimous vote Of the Convention, amid
the widest and most enthusiastic ap-
plause. SEA fa.Ir taic ,f-siF45ss-5sJ
Hon. j. f. Mckinney moved that a
Committee of three be appointed to wait
upon Gen. Morgan, and inform him of his
nomination, and request his presence in
the Convention, The President appoint
ed Hon. j. T. Mckinney, of Miami;
Judge Vance, of Butler, and Mr.. Mere
dith, of Morrow, said Committee After
short absence, the Committee returned
with Gen. Morgan, who was then intro
duced by Mr.. McKinney-wheu he spoke
as follows: sase8r
SPEECH OF GENERAL GEORGE w. MORGAN
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the ,Conven.
tion:
Your committee has informed me that
| the delegates from the people, here as
sembled, have conGded to my custody du-
ring the present important contest, the
standard Of constitutional liberty, and l
appear before you, responsive to your
| call. toexrress my thanks, and to accept
the trust, and give my cordial endorse
meut to the resolutions adopted by the
IConvention.
1t was my fortune, Mr.. President, to be
ASSOCIATED for short time in the field,
with the distinguished gentleman who is
| the nominee of the Republican Conven-
Etion, and / entertain for him sentiments of
personal kindness and respect. But our
views on certain questions of vital impor-
ttance widely differ, and that difference of
opinion has made US, without any action
on our part, opposing candidates for the
sufrages of our fellow citizens.
is THE UNION REsToRED2
Our country is at peace. No one be-
llieves that there is danger of civil eommo-
ton or of foreign war. Our gallant army
of white soldiers is being rapidly disban-
ded ,and they are welcomed to their homes
amid the grateful plaudits of patriotic
people; but the fact that large armies Of
negro troops are retained under arms
should excite to vigilance and awaken the
anxiety of every citizen. so
The war is over; the supremacy of oul
flag is acknowledged over the entire Fede
raj domain; there is cause for rejoicing
over the brilliant deeds of our soldiers, ,bu
there is also reason for grave apprehen
sion as to the future. The roar of can
non, the clang of arms, and the shouts o.
victory are no longer heard; the conscri2
tion has ceased; the hurried tread of oul
young men on the pathway to war, M
longer. startles our women and children
from their slumbers; but the Union, tn,
grand and only justifable object of th'
war, the only object for which our sol
diers fought-the Union is not yet re
stored, and dangerous and powerful eff
fort is being made by professed friends t,
4 exclude certain of the States from a rep
resentation in the Federal Legislature
and thereby prevent the restoration of th
4 Union.
/ sThe Union" does not mean any givei
i extent of territory, held under arbitrar,
rule, butts government Of United States
+ and until those States are represented il
the Federal Legislature, as provided b,
!, the Constitution, there can be no Union.
Il War has performed its part; the soldie
has nobly discharged his duty, and let u
; take good care that his blood has not bee
!, shed in vain; the insurrectionary armie
have surrendered their munitions to tn
. Federal authorities, and resumed their al
Ilegiance to the Federal Government of tn
o United States, but the. restoration of tn
Union to their position and rights unde
the Constitution, is not yet achieved.
4 Upon this vital question, our fellow
!. citizens of the Republican party are div
{ ded among themselves, and a majority
3 that party in Congress will oppose Pres
{ dent Johnson's plan for readmitting
# the National Legislature the Senators an
e Representatives from the Southern State
The President declares that he is in fave
of leaving the question of reconstructin
a their State Governments to the citizens
$ the Southern States, in the exercise {
i their constitutional rights.
II Our Government is not consolidate
ir empire like that of Russia, Austria I
a France; nor monarchy like that of Gre
Britain; but we have a Union compose
Of States with coordinate powers and c.
y equal rights The States formed the Vi
70 ion, and, in doing SO, relinquished certai
le rights which are distinctly specified, an
le in the language Of the Constitution, ga
IN powers not delegated to the United State
nor prohibited to the States, are reserve
;, to the States, or the people" The Fe'
eral Government derives its power fro
the Constitution, and possesses no lawfi
l. N, \ ob -, NOT o,rantn1 bv th at II