Smyrna times., 1866-09-05
MIS- CELLAN N EOUS.
Il Democratic" Legislation in Delaware
During the Rebellion.

Speech Delirered Jy Jno 4. AHlertlice, ESQ,
Before the Union Club Of Neto Castle
on the 24th Of AuguSt.
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN =
1t is not my intention in the remarks which
| now propose to make, to enter into the field
Of National politics, except so far as NAV be
necessary incidentally to alude to them in de-
veloping the subect-matter to which | would
especially at this time direct your attention. =
During the canvass now about commencing the
vital principles at stake in the contest will be
IN various ways distinctly brought to the atten-
ton of the people, and should and will chal-
enge serious consideration from every one who
properly appreciates the individual RESPONSE
blhty assumed in the exercise of the elective
franchise. The position Of the Union party
throughout the country-betrayed by some of
those whom it has elevated to places of the
highest trust and pOwer-while calculated to
produce dismay, will in the end be found to re-
new the courage of all true men, in their efforts
to reap for the benefit of the nation, that for
which battles were fought and victories won.
| We may mourn over untaithfulness in our own
camp; we may at times be disheartened by the
acts of those,
"WhOse treason like deadly blight,
Comes o er the cOunsels Of the brave,
To chill them in 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 oul
| principles have carried it in triumph where il
has been trampled in the dust, and that the
progress OF those principles, which could not
be arrested by the appeal to arms, cannot now
be stayed by the Machiaveian arts of party
| greedy for power, backed by the poor tools who
are willing to sell their birthright for mess o.
pOttage.
The election in November next is a State
election; and in the discussions and delibera
tons preceding such an event, our own loca
/. affairs should not be neglected There ar
many topics connected with the governmrn
OF Delaware, which should be brought to Ggh
and investigated; but at this time shall con
= nne myself to an examination of her position
during the Rebellion.
!. No loyal citizen of Delaware can glance bac
J. at the history Of her legislation immediatel
l. previous and during the war, and even sine
;, the actual conflict of arms has ceased, withOl
10 experiencing sensations of shame and mortii
r. cation. Before Secession raised its hydl
head, the pages of her history were our priC
= and glory. We were ever wont to point to he
as the first to adopt and the last to abandon tt
Constitution. The deeds of her sons on Il
battle fields of the Revolution; the learnir
and dignity OF her statesmen and the devOtiC
of her people to the Union, were the attribut
ID which likened her to the diamond in Il
bright and luminous galaxy of States. Wher
ever in this broad land wandered son of Del
ware, he made no secret of her name and fam
q and would have others contemplate his natl
I'll State in the exalted niche assigned to her
his own love and devotion.
Are we proud of our history as a State f
the last six years? What was the position
Delaware in its organized capacity during Il
rebellion? Did she as a State sustain the fl
of the Republic against the traitors who sOug
to dishonOr and destroy it? Ali in aft
years, when through Times telescope the hi
X tOrian looks back upon the events which ha,
just transpired, it will be found that the IN
who ruled here in the great crisis of our cou
try's fate, and who still rule here, made up
;S us record covered with ignominy and
Of grace. They have blackened our proud escutC
IN. con; they have written upon our bannC
er- treacherOus and perfdious legends; and tn
'Ol- have placed in our archives that which
my posterity will seek to cover with the dust of
'ut- livion-the annals Of degradation and unfai
red. fulness.
'ln. When the Legislature of 1861 assembled
oo' Dover, South Carolina had already raised
standard of revolt, and during the first
weeks Of the session, the Southern Confeder
any had organized its provisional government
ther Montgomery. The message of the Democ
ic Governor was plausible argument to ex
SSane sympathy for the South, by throwing the
= sponsibilitty Of its treason upon the North
,66 States. 1t was intended to produce among
Nv people discomfort with the Union, and gra
|. ally to weaken their loyalty to the Gen
and Goyernment. His excuses are all for the ST
anu then ripe for rebellion, and In his strennou
forts to deny the prevalence Of any patriot
timent in the Republic, he unblus6inolv as,
, and the existence of nol;t;col =" en nslstlng
. of affection, but from a cold sense of pecun
and advantage or mere commercial and poll
g. : power and a desire to indulge it" I