Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-08-03
Gen. KiIpatrick's Opinion Oi
GOnperlseads -

Copperheads. ~
The Newark Advertiser gives the follow.
ing report of the speech delivered by Gen.
Fitzpatrick on taking the chair as temporary
President of the Union State Convention at
Trenton:
Gentlemen and FelIo,c. Citizens Of mv Ma
ttre State; truly appreciate the great
nonor you have conferred on me, an humble
soldier from New Jersey, in selecting me to
preside over the only loyal convention that
will be called in the State for the nomina-
tion ofa candidate for Governor. Loud
and continued applause. 1t is scarcely
necessary for me to say that this distinction
is unexpected, and almost overwhelms me;
and in accepting it 4 do not intend to make
any extended remarks; [ should as soon
think oftalking war to that great soldier
Gen Grant tremendous appausel as to
talk politics to all this vast concourse Of pol
itlcians laughter and applausel; to men
who are not only my seniors in wisdom, but
in years, and who have made politics the
study OF their lives. Yet do desire to say
that L accepted an invitation to meet you
here to day in order that there may be no
misunderstanding as to how intend to con-
duct myself in the future, and to show how
think soldier should conduct himself,
now that the war is over, when patriotism
demands his services or influence. 10 show
to Union men and Copperheads how sol
dier respects the former and despises the
latter; how he condemns their traitorOus
acts, which have disgraced my native State
Tor the last four years. | am here, feeling
that am among men who never spoke a
word OF disloyalty, and who never faitered;
and to represent men who have remained
firm during the dark hours Of the Union
and who have prayed, fought and bled tol
our country-led by that great and gooc
man Abraham Lincoln. Immense anc
long continued applause.
You have assembled here to day, my
friends, under no ordinary circumstances
: aud, trust, with good promise OF success
in redGening the fame of our State. L tel
you, wherever | go-to New York, Phila
dclpha, Washington, while travelling ol
the cars-everywhere | hear language will
reference TO New Jersey which fills my sou
with disgust aud hatred TO those VINO hav
disgraced my native State and how it j
possible for any of its citizens to join hand
with traitors is beyond my comprehension
Fellow citizens, | have deviated from tn
u course of military men in taking the stand
| have, but have been more excited sine
9 have been in New Jersey over what hav
y heard said than | was during any Of th
scenes through which | have passed durin
the war. DO you know that have hear
men here say it would have been better t
# let the South go, that they believe in Stat
: rights; that the lnartyred President was
tyrantl ana that his successor, Andre
o johnson, is a second Nero There al
o men in Sussex, with much zeal but ver
Il littlo brains, who rejoice that they voted IL
" John q. Brcckinridge once, aud "by thu
II der they would do it again il they had a
l. opportunity" Not satisfied with the sa
rfices, expenses and all the calamlties
the war, they now tell you that johnson
a murderer Tor approving the execution
=. the assasslns of the President. The Go
~ perhead editors wore equally guilty wit
J." the Southern rebels. lie referred espeC
=, ally to an article in the Newton Heral
y which he denounced with peculiar sarcasr
= and thought the whole bates OF such trt
u tors should be hung Oh the same tree wi
~ j eff. Davis