The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-06-28

reason to being led away, and it is true
that the doctrine Of State sovereignty has
been an open question before the Ameri-
can people? Applause. Thank God
Mr.. Smith continued, it is no longer an
open question. 1t has, been settled al
LIST, and forever, that secession and its
ofsprings must be given up. It has cost
US so much treasure and blood, that in fu-
ture the people will not bear with its ad
vocates. Is it not proper to mitigate and
excuse the great crime of the South in
allowing herself to be drawn into the re-
bellion. Davis, Lee and Breckinridge
were greatly to blame in choosing fol
their models, Calhoun and Jefferson, in
stead of Washington, Clay and Webster
But still he pitied as well as blamed
them. If we had been in their circum-
stances, would we not have been tempted
to have chosen those men for our leaders?
The religion Of Christ teaches US to dc
as we would be done by. Applause. =
If We had the heart to apply the rule in
this case, then would we put the arm OF
forgiveness and love around our Southern
brethren, and how soon would we reach a
beautiful aud beloved peace! Loud ap-
plause The speaker called them breth-
rem, for they were dear to his heart. APP
plause He would hate himself if he
harbored any revenge toward them. II
he had hated them when fighting, he could
love them now when he had fallen. Ap-
plause Mr.. Smith said that he had not
spoken words of kindness to turn the
eyes of the people from the crime of
treason. if they were guilty OF treason
He had not spoken of State sovereignty
to Justify treason, but as an argument
that we should conduct the war according
to the laws of war The widespread be-
lief in State sovereignty should make US
reluctant to persecute them, when, under
the laws of war, there is no treason. APP
plause. Surely, here in the North, where
State sovereignty obtained so widely, we
ought not to be eageBto punish the South
for being carried away by it.
The speaker next referred to the crime
of starving prisoners, for which, he said,
we were partly responsible. 1t proceed
ed from the pro-slavery spirit, for which
the North is little less responsible than
the South We should be reluctant to
tainly pass upon the guilty. He contin-
ued, and said that the North has profted
as much by slavery as the South, and that
if ever there was time on the earth when
men should be honest it is now. 1t is not
for us to affect innocence. The only duty
of the North is to place herself by the
side of the South, in common repent
ance for common sin. Applause. =
Just as surely as VIC go to Furnishing the
South, we shall lose all spirit of repent
ance. There is no way FOR man to feel
whole himself, like Furnishing others for
sins of which he is himself guilty. There
was the assassination of President Lin
coin. The South did not call for it. II
vote of the Southern people had been
taken on the question, itwould have been
almost unanimous against it.
Mr.. Smith was asked how Che vote
would have stood if it had been confined
to the Southern leaders, but he did moi
see fit to answer the question.
The speaker continued, and said thai
the South knew that it had not FRIEND
with more kindly feeling for her than Mr.
Lincoln. That crime came from the pro
slavery spirit which prompted assassina
ton. Mr.. S. repeated his argument as t.
the responsibility of the North on thu
subject of slavery. In speaking of recon
struction, he said that We must not pun
ish the South out of revenge, but to Pre-
vide for the future For that purpose HI
would divide up the lands Of the Soutl
among the poor Of the South, and give t.
the blacks the right to vote. He woul'
deprive some of the rebels of the electiv,
franchise for term of years, and other
forever He would also repudiate tn
rebel debt He believed the Presiden
had the right to keep therebels under tn
military power, and that before they ar
reconstructed, Congress should pass law
abolishing slavery in those States. L
closing, Mr.. Smith paid an eloquent eulo
| gy on Mr.. Lincoln.
At the close of the lecture, remark
were made by Horace Greeley and 9th
ers.