Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-08-25
Major General Hartranft Nominated for
Auditor GeneEaI-COI. j. M. Campo
bell, Surveyor General.
HARRTsBURa. August N, 1865

bell, Surveyor General.
HARRIsBURG, August IL, 1865.
The delegates to the Union State Conyen-
ton for the nomination of candidates for
Auditor General and Surveyor General as
sembled this morning, in the hall of the
House of Representatives, and at twelve
o'clock M, were called to order by Hon.
Simon Cameron, Chairman of the Union
State Central Committee
Onmotion of jeremiah Nichols, of Phil
adelphia, the Hon. John Cessna was ap-
pointed temporary President of the body.
On taking the Chair, Mr.. Cessna spoke
as follows
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION: re-
turn you my sincere thanks for the honor
conferred in selecting me to preside over
the preliminary proceedings OF your Con-
yention, | am fully ava OF the fact that
the position is one ofdifhculty, and requires
the discharge OF arduous duties earnest
" solicit the cooperation of every delegate
in my efforts to preserve order, promote har-
mony, and hasten the business of the Con-
vention. On my own part, | pledge you
that viii endeavor to discharge the duties
of the position to the utmost Of my ability,
with impartiality and fidelity. / sincerely
hope that the deliberations of this body
may be harmonious, and all the results of
our action entirely satisfactory to the people
whom we represent regard the Conven-
ton just being organized as one of no ordi-
nary interest. The position of Pennsylva-
MIA in the Union, as well as her past history,
entities, and win command for her, poten-
tial voice in the reconstruction of our Gov
ernment At all hazards, and at every sac
rifce of everything save principle, must the
action of this Convention, in the end, be
unanimous. The whole army of loyal vo-
ters who, in 1864, rallied around the stan
dard of Abraham Lincoln, and proclaimed
to the world that the Union should be pre-
| served, and the rebellion suppressed at ey
cry hazard, must again be called into the
| field under the banner which shall be hoist
ed here to-day The military power of the
| rebellion has been crushed. Our brave and
heroic officers, soldiers, and sailors have well
| performed their part. Before the magni-
| tude of their achievements the wars of for
mer times and the battles of other nations
| sink into comparative ibsignifcance. Our
nation to-day occupies prouder position
before the world, and is more feared by the
aristocracies of Europe than ever before.
| The gloTies as well as the tolls of our suryi-
wing heroes, both officers and soldiers, the
memories Of the thousands slam and starved
In defence Of our cause, the tens of thou
sands of widows and orphans made such by
| the war, and the millions Of debt willingly
| incurred by loyal people to preserve the
| life of the nation, all demand that the fruits
of the great victory of human freedom
shall not be frittered away by the mistakes
of politicians. Every man of us must be
prepared to yield upon the alter of patriot
ism all his personal preferences and indiYid-
ual wishes for the common good. There
may be, and there no doubt are, some ques-
| tIons about which we may reasonably and
safely differ. Upon all the great vital is
sues of the day all truly loyal men must and
| fuI and bloody war just closed, the rebellion
increased and strengthened and was greatly
protracted by reason of Northern sympathy.
Now, that it is over, these men in the
North have grown bolder and more defiant
by reason of the aid and comfort which they
expect TO receive in turn frem those lately
in arms against the Government. True,
the rebellion is over, the fighting has ceased,
but the war is not ended the spirit of re-
bellion still lives, and it is to-day active, in
solent, and defiant The great object Of the
rebellion was the death OF the republic, the
dismemberment of the nation--that object
has not been abandoned Those who un-
dertook it failed to accomplish their pur-
pose by force of arms. They now strive to
reach the same end by means of manage
ment and appeals to the prejudices of the
people at the ballot-box.
This may appear to be harsh Judgment.
| | would that | could believe otherwise
But the spirit that for thirty years and more
| has distracted our people, and disturbed
the peace of the nation, in bold attempt
| to make slavery the ruling power of the ma
ton, and all other Interests subservient to
that-the spirit which slew our wounded,
| and mangled our dead on the field of battle
after the battle was oyeT-the same spirit
| which presided over the prisons of Ander-
sonville, Libby, Belle Island, and elsewhere
that which organized irresponsible bands
of guerillas- innocent women and chill
dren IN railroad cars, poisoned fountains of
water, and imported loathsome diseases
the same spirit which animated the hand of
the assassin as it sped the fatal ball to the
brain of orr late merciful, magnanimous,
and patriotic President, will not hesitate to
seize the throat or stab tie heart of the ma
! ton, and destroy, If possible, the noble old
republic OF our fathers, utterly regardless of
6iO ull anu 6Oe WulCu may IOlIOW Al
ready these men in the South are organizing
to send Representatives of their kind to
Congress. Their friends in the North are
rallylng for the same purpose Allow them
to succeed IN their scheme, and soon the
rebel debt will be assumed, damages paid to
rebels TOR injuries suffered by the war, and
pensions granted to rebel wounded and reb-
! ell widows. Under this load it is confident
| ly expected by them that the good old ship
of state will soon go down and the nation
perish. Should this fail, or whole national
debt would next be repudiated and the coun-
try ruined. Shall all this be avoided Much
OF correct answer to this question may de-
pend upon your action to-day. Every dol
lar OF debt-municipal, State, ami National
contracted for the suppression of the re-
belllon, must and shall be paid at all haz-
ards. Not one cent of rebel debt, damages,
or pensions shall ever be assumed or paid
upon any pretext or for any reason whatev-
er. Our present loyal and patriotic Presi-
dent, Andrew johnson, has submitted to
these people policy which challenges the
| admiration OF the world. 1t will stamp hin
through all time to come as magnanimous,
| mercIful, and klnd-hearted ruler In his eff
forts to carry 1t out he must and will receive
our hearty and jealous cooperation and sup
port, But should these people continue, as
they have already commenced, to treat his
offers OF mercy with scorn and contempt,
| and present TO the country and the world an
| exhibition OF ftolly, madness, and wickedness