Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-08-28
Democratic" Legislation i,
Delaware during the
Rebellion.
SPEECH OF
JOHN A. ALLDERDICE,
Before the Union Club Of New Castle,
AUGUST "a, 1890.
ITR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN =

tits not my intention in the remarks which
l now propose to make, to enter into the field
of National politics, except so far as may be
necessary incidentally to allude to them in
developing the subiect-matter to which l
would specially at this time direct your at
tention. During the canvass now about
commencing the vital principles at stake IN
the contest will be in various ways dis
tinctly brought to the attention of the peo-
pie, and should and will challenge serious
consideration from every one, who properly
appreciates the individual responsibility es-
sumed in the exercise of the elective fran
chise. The position of the Union party
throughout the cOuntry-betrayed by some
of those whom ii has elevated to places OF
the highest trustand power-While calculated
to produce dismay, will in the end be found
to renew the courage of all true men, in their
efforts to reap for the benefit of the nation,
that for which battles were fought and vic
tories were Won We may mourn over un-
laithluness in our own camp; we may at
times be disheartcned by the acts of those,
"Whosc treason like a deadly blight,
Comes DER the counsels of the brave,
To chill tnem in their hour of might;n
But we should remember, and the remem.
Mance should be an inspiration, that our
hpnner is, and has been, the flag of our coun.
try, that our principles have carried it in
triumph where it has been trampled in the
dust, and that the prog. ess of those princi
pies, which could not be arrested by the ap-
peal to arms, cannot now be stayed by the
Machiayolian arts of a party greedy for
power, backed by the poor tools who arc
willing TO sell their birthright for mess OF
potiage.
The election in November next is State
election; and in the discussions and delibera.
m II,
cal affairs should not be neglected. There
are many topics connected with the govern
ment OF Delaware, which should be brought
to the light and investigated; but at this time
| shall COntine myself to an examination OF
her position during the rebellion.
No loyal citizen of Delaware can glance
back at the history of her legislation i'm.
mediately previous and during the war, and
even since the actual conflict of arms has
ceased, without experiencing sensations OIL
sha. and modification. Before Secession
raised its hydrahead, the pages of her his
tory were our pride and glory. We welG
ever wont to point to her as the first to adopt
and the last TO ahr ndon the Constitution
The deeds of her sons on the battle-felds o.
the lievo uton; the learning and dignity o.
| her statesmen; and the devotion of her peo
| pie TO the Union, were the attributes
| which likened hrr to the "die n, ldn in thC
| brightand luminous galaxy ofSt tfs Where
ever in this broad land wandered a son o
Delaware, he made no secret of her namt
aud fame, and would have others contem
| plate his native State in the exalted nichC
assigned to her by his own love and devotion
Are we proud OF our history as a State fol
the last six years? What was the position o
Delaware in its organized capacity during
| the rebellion? Did she as u State sustpin the
! flag Of the Republic against the traitors who
sought to dishOnor and destroy itY Ali ir
after years, when through Times telescope
the historian looks back upon the events
which have just transpired, it will be founC
that the men who ruled here in the grea
crisis of our country's fate, and who still
rule here, made up for us a record covered
with ignominy and disgrace. They have
blackened our proud escutcheon; they havl
written upon Our banners treacherous anC
poriidious legends; and they have placed
in our archives that which our posterity will
seek to cover with the dust of oblivion-tht
annals of degradation and unfaithfulness.
When the Legislature OF 1851 assembled
at Dover, South Carolina had already raiseC
the standard of revolt, and during the frs
few weeks of the session, the Southern Con
federacy had organized its provisional 60
vernment at Montgomery. The messag
of the Democratic Governor was plausible
by throwing the responsibility of its trea
son upon the Northern States. 1t was in
tended to produce among our people discon
tent with the Union, and gradually TO weaker
their loyalty to the General Government
His excuses are all for the States then rip
for rebellion, and in his strenuous efforts t
deny the prevalence of any patriotic sent
ment in the Republic, he unblushingly assert
ed, "that the North was then insisting upol
the existence of political tie, not from me
tives of affection, but from cold sense {
pecuniary advantage, or mere commercis
and political calculation, coupled with
consciousness of power and desire to II
dulge it." l have quoted the exact languag
from this democratic" message; and as
you, whether those brave Delawareans, who
upon the field of battle died, that the natio
might live did not give the lie TO such colo
/ bloodGd sentiments, and teach the leaders
counterfeit Democracy that, though I'll
love of country might he dead in their heart
it still burned pure and bright upon altal
not desecrated by the shibboleth of party
Within a few days another message VIC
sent TO both Houses, announcing that I'll
Union loving States of Mississippi and All
To- hana, aware of the benighted condition
II our people in the new gospel of Secession
but well knowing the desires of the DENT
cratic leaders, had sent commissioners I
confer with our rulers. In this message WI
+ also the recommendation for calling a Coz
vention, the first step in those days towarC
t. involving the State in the maelstrom of tre
! son. AS the States of Mississippi and All
4 bama passed ordinances of secession with
! n week of the time of the visit Of their con
9 missiOncrs, the object of their coming WI
Il no secret. II was not to calm the trouble
4 loA usaI