Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-05-09
Colonel wolford's Frankfort Speech.

pies to-day announced, and in the support OF
the candidates selected to represent them on
the State ticket. / have been glad to see to-
day, in this Convention, inen with whom have
fought, and men against whom | have fought.
There are men here before me TO whom. at one
time could not have spoken long, aud before
whom have spoken only the sharp commands
of Union military officer. Now. that the
sword has fallen from their grasp. hail them
as countrymcn and IS friends. | believe that
they were actuated by the purest motives In
the course they pursued in the war, though
believed them mistaken. Their valor and de-
votion to principle | have seen iluSrated when
the battle blaze painted hell on the sky. No
party hate can ever erase from the tables OF
stone and the pages of history the record Of
their sincerity, sustained, as it is. by herolsm
almost if not quite unparalleled in the annals
of the world.
"Now that they have turned from their furl-
ed banners, surrendered their arms, and ac-
knowledged allegiance TO the Union. should
feel destitute of magnanimity did refuse to
receive their pledges for the future. know
they will be true because have known them,
through unsurpassed suffering, to sustain prin-
ciples they held sacred and dear. II Ihad the
authority would to-day gladden. every South
ern home with the sweet boon of pardon. |
am Union man have always been Union
man, have fought on many hard contested
field in the cause of the Union, and under like
circumstances would do it again; but SOL
emnly say that never drew my sword for the
purpose Of whipping the South back because
they were SO mean as TO deserve punishment,
but because they represented so much of the
sterling worth and true nobility of the country
that was unwilling TO lose them. Now that
they are petitioning for restoration, / desire to
see them at once received as equals in tho great
sisterhood of States.
"God forbid that should think that fought
for the purpose of making captive provinces
of coequal States; that fought for impoyer-
ishing a gallant and noble people, darkening
their once happy homes, and degrading them
to political servitude 10 iliterate and british
negroes. could expect no pardon of Heaven,
born and graded and nurtured in this proud
old Commonwealth, if could ever gain my
consent 20 strike dark and dead eleven stars in
the blue field in our national Banner. No; at
the head of my brave cavalrymen i marched
while flag, bearing its full complement Of
stars. foated over our column. Amid the
thickest of the fight my eye has proudly turned
toward that unbroken constellation, and fresh
courage leaped to my heart, and new strength
invested my arm, rs | thought Of the worthy
task of restoring the Union. have seen the
DYING soldier turn his last gaze upon that ban
ner and fall asleep under the blaze of all its
stars Shall | now consent tomar our glorious
flag, and as il waves over the Submissive South,
flaunt in the face Of the people constant re-
/ menbrance OF their Sorrows? Shall the star
/ of Alabama, Of Mississippi, Of Virginia, shine
/ in solemn mockery on their woe? No, no; let
it be to them "a thing of beauty, joy forever :
their countrys banner, their own proud pro-
lection
"If the Southern people had been unworthy
| of the boon of republican freedom, would new
er have fought for their recovery. | cared
nothing for their lands. 1t was not for the
recovery Of territory to be given 10 idle and
profigate negroes that fought, but It was for
restoration to perfect political equality with us
! as nine millions Of white frecmen.
ain the Legislature | voted for the amnesty
| accorded 10 all Confedcrates / am notasham-
cd Of that vote. When ! thus acted / did it
with the full intention Of conferring perfect
exemption from political penalties of whatever
nature.
al never for one moment thought Of depriv-
ing any of the privilege of holding Office. |
have met them iu this Convention to-day on
terms Of perfect equality. am satisfied with
! the ticket we have nominated. shall bear
your principles and the claims a the candidates
| YOU have selected before the people. am for
universal amnesty. want our country to feel
so grand in its strength that it can 4" always
\ Al A.. o L. rtar los d
| the prison doors Of Fortress Monroe trumpet
a recall across the ocean 10 our noble citizens
in exile; and, taught by the bloody instruc-
tons of the past five years, and clasping hands,
| buckling hearts for the future, let us go for
ward, band of national brothers, 10 fulfill the
sublime destinies Of American civilization.
"The war should end in spirit as 1t has in
fact 1t is mean end cowardly TO strike the
PROSTATE and helpless. have seen in the
Convention to-day many soldiers Of the Union
army. and some Of whom have bad the honor
of leaIing 10 the charge, voting side by side
with those who have struggled on the other
side | felt proud. Ii was a miniature speta-
Gle of what | would like 10 see theentire nation
present. 0, should feel thatthe fruits Of vic
tory would not turn 30 ashes upon my lips if
I could see the Southern States restored, and
their representatives in Congress, the peers Of
any. / should then look at my battered sword
with renewed pride, ana feel that the mission
for which it was drawn is complete. / should
then regard il no longer as an instrument OF
tyranny, but rs n symbol Of national mercy.
IF history shall show, in the end, that the
war was for the overrunning and subjugatIon
Of the Southern States, for the purpose Of ele-
waiting the negro TO the political power at the
expense Of white men, born freemen, descend
ants Of our revolutionary sires, then | shall
turn from that sword with sorrow, II not with
shame.
I'VE are met 10 behalf Of Constitutional hb-
erty. alike dear 10 every American heart.
am with you as one who loves TIE UnloD, aud
one who is willing to do all be can TO preserve
the Constitutional liberties Of our people. Men
will saw that this is a rebel Convention. ]
shall brand it as a calumny. HaveI not seen
scores Of Union soldiers participating with en-
thusiasrn 10 the proceedings Of the day? No;
this Convention is grand representative body
Of Kentucky's noblest sons, and Of born Arneri-
can frcemen-met to demonstrate agains; tyran-
nv. and to show that we yet retain lively af-
fection for the mupimeuts Of Constitutional
liberty"
A long time ago, little boy twelve years
old On his ,rav tofVerrnont stopred al a conn