Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1866-08-30

WAKE DUklNG THE REBELLION. Up
Speech Of JoAs a. Ailderdics before ms Union s.
Cub Of NsS Castle, august "a, 1866. .
Mr.. President and Gentlemen 1T ia not nv | +
Intention in the remarks which now propose Q
make, to enter into the field OF National r
politics, except sO lar as may be necessary 10 o
cidentally to allude to them in developing the n
sabject matter to which | would snscislly at q
this time direct your attention. Daring the I
canvass now about commencing the vital p-in- a
ciples at stake in the contest will be ia va. Z
rious ways distinctly brought tt the attention
of the people, aud should and will challenge ,
serious consideration from every one, who
properly appreciates the individual rcsponsi-
billy assumed in the sxercise of he elective
franchise The position of he Union party
throughout the coIntry--betrayed by some of
those whom it has elevated to places Of the
highest trust and power-whils cAlculaied to
produce dismly, will 10 the end b. found to
renew the courage of all true men, Ia their eff
forts to reap for the benefit of the nation that |
for which battles were fought aud victories |
were won. We may mourn over uniai:h nlness |
in our own camp; we may AZ times bs DIS
heartened by the acts OF those
" Whose treason like deadly blight,
Comes Ger the counses of the bravo,
To chill them 10 their hour OF might"
But We should remember, and the remembrance
should be an inspiration, that our banner is,
and has been the flag OF our country that our
principles have carried it in triumph where 1t
has been trampled in the dust, and that the
progr; Is OF those principles, which could not
be arrested by the appes Il to arms, canaot now
be stayed by the Me cliavelian arts OF a party
greedy for power, backed by the poor tools
who are willing to sell their birthrght for a
mess OF pottage.
The election in November next is State
election and ia the discussions and elibera-
M 1Aoa
affairs should not be neglected There are
many topics connected with the government
of Delaware, which should be brought to the
light and Investigated; but at this time shall
son6ne myself to an examination of her posi-
ton during the rebellion.
No loyal citizen OF Delaware can glance back
at the history of her legislation Immediately
previous and during the war, aud even since
the actual conflict Of arms has Ct lsed, without
experiencing sensations OF shame and mortih-
cation. Before secession raised Its hydra
head, the pages of her history were our pride
and glory. We were ever wont to point to her
as the first ts adopt aud the last to abandon
the Constitution. The deeds of her sons on
the battle fields of the Revolution the learn
ing and dignity of her statesmen and the de =
votion of her people to the Union were the
attributes which likened her to the diamond"
in the bright and luminous galaxy of States.
Wherever In this broad land wandered son VI
fame, and would have others contemplate his
native State In the exalted niche assign ed TO
her by his own love and devotion.
Are we proud Of oar history as a State for
the last six yearst What was the position o
Delaware ia lts organized capacity during tn,
rebellion Did she as State sustain tn
flag OF the Republic against the traitors WIZ
sought to dishonor and destroy itg All IL
after years, when through Times Telescope tn
historian looks back upon the events whicl
have just transpired, 1t will be found that tn
men wheruled here In the great crisis of GU
country's fate, and who still rule here, mad
up for us u record covered with ignominy an
disgrace They have blackened our proud eE
cutcheon they have written upon our banner
treacherous and per6dious legends and the
have placed in our archives that which on
posterity Will seek to cover with the dust {
obivion-the annals OF degradation and no
faithfulness.
When the Legislaturs OF 1881 assembled a
Dover, South Carolina had already raised I'll
Standard oil revolt, and during the first fe,
weeks Of the session, the Southern c0nfel de
racy had organized Its provisional glvernuet
at Montgomery. The message of the Demo
cratic Governor was plausible argument
excite ympathy for the South, By thrown
the responsibility of its treason up9a ii
No"Ihern States. IL was intended 70 proiu,
among our pSope discomfort with the Unto
and gradually 20 weaken their loyalty to t!
General Government. His excuses are all +
the States then ripe for rebellion, and in d
strenuous efforts to deny tie prevalence @ Al
patriotic sentiment in Tie Republic, he u
blushingly asserted, " that the North was tn
insisting upon the existence of political I
not from motives OF affection, but from CO
sense of pecuniary advantage, or mere cor
mLrcisl and political calculation, coupled wi
consciousness OF power and desire 10 Il
aulgo it." ! have quoted the exact laurua
fr0m thia - dpmucraticU mai and
you, whether those brave Delawareaas VII
apon the field Z battle died, that the natl
might live did not give the lie to such cu
b.ooded sentiment and teach the leaders oil
counterfeit Democracy that, though tho iUve
country might be dead in their hearts, il 81
burned pure and bright upon affairs not des
Grated oy the shibboeth OF party.
Within few days another message wac &c
to both Houses, announcing that the T. nio
loving Staten of Mississippi aad Alsa,u
aware Of thc oenighted condition OF ouc prul
il the new gospel OF Secess Il, but well sr )
ing the desires OF the Democrats lea1ers b
sent commissioners to confer with cur ruiz
In this message was also the recomu en Al
for calling Convention, the IRIS. step N tar
days towards involving the State in The ma.
strom OF treason. As he States OF M,ssissil
and Alabama passed ordinances OF seoessi
within week Of the time OF the VS.. OF th
commissioners, the object of her coming W
secret 1t wac not to calm the tesgbl
waters The South had prepared feast
devllish as that connected in the boiling cat
dson by the witches 10 Macbeth Della va
was to be an invited guest. Those 40 broug
the invitation were received VITA all the h0
ors, The courteees and etgilutes Of Ll7
only proved how treason could he loved Wit
out hating the traitor
On the 9Th o. January, resolutions were
'rod1ced in the Senate By member !fon y.
Castle County, pledsing the influence "a
power ofth State agaiaR. secession and IN ia
the ia i. They were buried by vote
qcstg7 lsnt until some future day, wdica i
1-s &C; y. arrived. Or the l3th OF Feor4Gl
wner stv States had passed ordinances of
eession Jefferson Davis was elected Provision
President Of the Coutederscy, aad while
traitors were plotting their work of deotr4ct.
a. Montgomery q Commissone- from the St
OF Georgia appeared At our Stata Capitol, 1t
tie thea Democratic Governor sent s.lIl O
other message 10 the Legislature the laugu4
o. when could not be mistaken The creit
t!a.s Of rebel commissioner rom rel
STATE were laid before Our General Assemb
snd lae nessage charged " the represenlati
OF the people 70 receive and acknowledge W
Incoming respect the courtesy extended 10
by the State OF Georgia and they were i'm
ked to Timely and suitable action vi
that action will be-" are the words OF this d
ument, will, OF course, depend upon futg
developments, anC hould be referred eutir
TO he people" Aud then, we have reitera
the recommendation for cal ing d ConYentit
that the State may be prepared TO I'd
proper and timely action, uuless there 8 OF
be an early adjustment Of our d ffculte
In other words, II the South insisted upo
dissolnlion OF the lion, preparation sho
De made for the secession Of Delaware. Re