Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-04-25
IFrom The Manchester Union.l
Letter from Concord.

Il
Saturday night. The Patriot of to-day con-
tains an account of it, and also the Generals
response, which inclose. The Patriot says:
- SAT about o'clock this mob,
numbering then from 200 to 400, appeared
about the door of the residence Of General
Pierce and surprised him by vociferous
calls. Immediately the door was thrown
open, and in the blaze of the entry light
the ex-President appeared upon the steps
and addressed to the assemblage the
remarks which follow. 1t is due to
the crowd to say that the moment our
distinguished fellow citizen appeared and
uttered one or two sentences, with the ex-
ception of occasional remarks, such as
that's so,' and that's good that's true,
absolute quiet and silence prevailed while
he was speaking. When he uttered his
good night they responded with hearty
good night, and three cheers for the Cen
eraL and retired as quietly as though there
had been no scene of excitement in the day.
This, at least was creditable." ..iI y--ii.Ir
SPEECH OF GEN. PIERCE. 90
FELLOW TowNsMEN-I come TO ascertain
the motives of this call. What Is your de-
sire?
TSome person in the crowd replied: ave
wish to hear some words from you on this
sad occasion."] 81 l
Gen. Pierce proceeded:
wish could address you words Of SOL
ace. But that can hardly be done. The
magnitude of the calamity, in all aspects,
is Overwhelming. If your hearts are Op-
pressed by events more calculated to
awaken 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 wicked
ness and atrocity was confined, morally and
actually, to the heads and hearts OF but two
individuals of all those whostill survive on
this continent; and that they may speedily,
and in obedience 10 law, meet the punish
ment due to, their unparalleled crimes. 1t
is well that you-it is well that I-Well that
all men worthy to be called citizens of the
United States, make manifest, in all suita-
BILE forms, the emotions incident to the be-
reayement and distress which have been
broughtto to the hearths and homes OF the two
most conspicuous families Of the Republic.
I give them my warm, outgushing sympa-
thy, as am sure all persons within the
hearing Of my voice must do. s..,'.
But beyond personal grief and loss, there
will abide with us inevitably the most pain
full memories. Because, as citizens obedi-
ent to law, revering the Constitution, hold
ing fast to the Union, thankful for the Pc
riod of history which succeeded the Revo-
luton In so many years of peaceful growth
and prosperity, and loving with the deyo-
belongs to the advancement and glory Of
the nation, we can never forget or cease to
| deplore the great crime and deep stain.
IA voice from the crowd-"Whereis your
It is not necessary for me to show my de-
| votion for the stars and stripes by any
| special exhibition, or upon the demand OF
| any man or body of men. My ancestors
followed it through the Revolution OF
them, at least, never having seen hismother's
roof from the beginning TO the close of that
protracted struggle. My brothers followed
| It in the war of 1872 and left my family,
in the spring OF 1847, among you, to follow
its fortunes and maintain it upon a foreign
soil. .,f.s, to .:s.7 .,.,,. ...fayt - .o.it.
But this you all know. II the period dur;
ing which ! have served our State and %
| country in various situations, commencing
| more than thirty five years ago, have left
| the question OF my devotion TO the flag, the
| Constitution and the Union In doubt 1t is
too late now TO remove 1t, by any such ex-
| hibition as the inquiry suggests. Besides,
to remove such doubts from minds where
|, they may have been cultivated by a spirit
i of domination and partisan rancor, II such
| thing were possible, would be Of no con-
| sequence to you, and it Is certainly Of none
| to me, The malicious questionings would
| return to re-assert their supremacy and
| pursue the work Of injustice. Z. ~ s,.,,.
Conscious OF the infirmities Of tempera-
ment, which to a greater or less extent be.
set us all, Ihave never felt or found that vi.
olence or passion was ultimately produc.
| tive Of benefcent results. 1t Is gratifying
| to perceive that your observations. briefel
\ than mine, has led your minds to the sam,
conclusion. What-a priceless commentary
| upcn this general thought, is the final re
| ported conversation between the late Presi
| dent and his Cabinet; and with that dis
| patch comes news TO warrant the cheering
| hone that, in spite ofthe knife of the assas'
sin. the life and intellect of the Secretary o
state may, through Providence, be spared
to us in this appalling emergency. y.
| ], thank you for the silent attention witt
| which YOU have listened TO me, and for th'
manifestations Of your approval as ny
| neighbors ,,and will. not detain .you 10 thi
| storm longer than to add my best wishe
| for you all, and for what, individually ant
| eoliectiyely, we ought TO hold most dear
our country-our whole country. Goot
night.