The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-10-11
Speech Of General SICkles at the
Great Republican Meeting In
Philadelphia, Sept. q, 1867.

GFcat kcpuDllcan Meet1Mg III
Philadelphia, Sept. u, 1867.
When General Sickles' name was
announced ut the monster Union
meeting in Philadelphia on Friday
evening, ;he cheering was intense
On being introduced, he advanced to
the railing, ami during his remarks
leaned upon his crutches for support,
Every word was distinctly heard by
the immense concourse, who frequent
ly interrupted him with applause. He
spoke as follows; .
COMRADES: / am glad TO see you,
one and all, and thank you for these
expressions of attachment and regard.
This meeting recalls the times when
the country was. in peril when Holt
and Scott were holding Washington
for the Inauguration of Lincoln and
Cameron was filling the arsenals
Floyd had emptied; when Stanton, the
great war minister of modern times,
created the armies that won the day
at Antietam, Shiloh, Gettysburg, Chat.
tanooga, Wmohester and RriChmond,
| TCheers1 We recall tho day when
CronchIng rebellion held Sheridan's
stirrup while he mounted for his ride
through the valley, Prolonged
shouta We SEQ Hancock repelling
the enemy's last Charge on Cemetery
ridge; we see Lee surrender his sword
and hs army to (irant--invincible in
the field, trustworthy in council.
Yet peace has her victories ALSO
For the Government is engaged in the
conservative duty of organizing loyal
civil authority in the rebel States. Of
course, this can only be done by Civ
ing the right to vote TO all the loyal
people in the South. And until loyal
State governments are established
Congress- must retain control. No
other means being possible, military
officers have been sent to execute tho
laws of Congress, preserve order, pro-
tect tho loyal people, and superntend
the formation of State governments.
1t has boen said that congressional
action and military protection were
unnecessary. Let us see about that
for u moment. Tho Legislature of
South Carolina, in 1865, passed law,
approved by Mr.. Perry, the provision
al governor, rcorganizing the militia
of the State. BY that law any officer
of the militia was authorized in tho
exercise of his own discretion to call
out his command and shoot down, dis.
pcrsc. kill, and destroy any assem-
blagc of froed people OF color found
anywhere under circumstances that,
in the opinion of tho officer, meant
mischief. That law was suspended
by military authority, and Congress
prohibited all suUh militia. fCheers
for Congress and General Siekles.
In North Carolina, in 1868, law
was passed legali2ing all transactions
Of guardians, executors, and trustees,
by which tho property OF widows and
orphan children was turned into con-
fedorate money and confederate bonds,
and went to bolster up tho rebellion
and impovish tho women and children
10 whom it belonged. This law was
revoked by military authority, 4
worthy citizen of Now York, wboss
name is Mclaughlin, went 10 Sonth
Carolina soon after tho war and hired
m abandoned plantation from the
Preedmen's BuFoan, in whose charge
IL was placed by law, Mclaughlin
planted and raised n crop, whom along
came the returned rebel who Oiaimed
the land, had him put in priaon until
he could find forty thousand dollars
bail for trospass, and took possession
OF the lands and crops,
That il u specimen of the treat
ment Northern settlers would have
received IN the absence at the military
protection since given hy Congress, -
In Caswell county, North Csrolins,
during tho war, n loyal resident, while
escaping from the enemy's hnes tG
oars, where he afergard did good
service, took without leave, one night
a piece OF bacon for subsistence or the
march. When he retaFned homo, az
Ger the war was arrested, tIiod on the
charge Of burglary, and sentenced 10
he hung, and to pay ths sGsts. (Lasgb-
teS and ehoeHng)
White he was awaiting trial, and
Pending the execution Gf The seDtones,
lhe prisoner was chained i0side OF an
iron cage and kept there tor y year
without blanket even in winter. In.
formation Of his case hayiag reached
the military authorities when the case
was undergoing investigation. che Gov
eraor Of North Carolina, in the exer-
else oi power given 10 him by The
military commander, pardoned the
nan. The costs not having been paid