Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-10-02
8aees 0imes,
BELLOWS FALLS, OCT. 2, 1868.
A Democratic Speech.

Gen. j. BOWMAN SwEErzER. a leading
democratic lawyer of Pittsburg, Pa. and
a soldier of unblemished record during
the war, and also the democratic candi-
date for Congress in that district in 1866,
has nobly renounced the Seymour DEM
ocratic party, and goes for Grant and
Colfax. The soldiers of Allegheny
county, irrespective of party, recently
held convention in Pittsburg, at which
Gen. Sweetzer made stirring speech
from which we make the following cx-
tract:
During the administration of Tay-
lor and Fillmore, when the famous COM
promise measures were passed, was
United States District Attorney here,
and as an officer of law it became my du-
ty to execute the Fugitive Slave law,
and l did it regardless of consequences
to myself and of the opinions of those
who opposed it. 1 did this because I
considered it the duty of all good citi-
zens to obey the law so long as it re-
manned on the statute book, however
much it conficted with their individual
opinions; and I considered it my duty,
as a sworn officer of the law, to execute
it, repulsive as it was to me and my feel
ings as n man. From the commence
ment Of the war, did everything in my
power to keep the peace with the people
of the South. In the language of Gen.
Grant, | was not an abolitionist. / was
not even an anti slavery man. ! did
not join the republican party. / did
not vote for Lincoln. | voted for Doug
las and the democratic union ticket. l
thought had done about all they could
ask of me. | felt conscious of having
done nothing to stir up war, neverthe-
less, nothing but war would satisfy them,
and fellow-soldiers, much as l abhor
war, / could not forget my duty as cit
izen, and like many of you, went vol
unfairly into the field and contributed to
the extent of my ability and strength to
maintain the honor of my country and
my flag. In 1864 | voted for Gen. Nc
Clellan. was in the Amy of the Po-
tomac from its organization. I had con-
fdence in him; | thought he had been
harshly treated; and when he was nom
mated at Chicago | voted for him, Pen
dleton, peace platform and all. | did
not like the platform; but l was willing
to trust Mcclellan, Notwithstanding the
platform. But, my friends, thought
saw in the action of the leaders of that
Convention determination to rule OIL
ruin. l thought l saw determination
on the part of the peace democrats, who
figured largely in it, and made its plat
form never to let a victory be won By
the party unless it brought with it thei
vindication of inducement, and placet
them in position and power. | deter
mined that hereafter | would see tn,
cards dealt, and know that they wer,
not marked by the dealer in advance
before I again consented to take hand
1 was opposed to the reconstruction
measures of Congress; / was opposed t
the impeachment of the President. Th
Senate acquitted the President, and
think they did right.
Congress passed the reconstructio
measures and the President vetoed them
Congress passed them over the veto b
} the constitutional vote. The amend
! ments were adopted by the requisit
! number of States, and they are now tn
!. law of the land, and so long as they al
will sustain them. Well, my friends
we now come down to the present crisi
for crisis | consider it to be. We al
approaching another Presidential ele
: ton, and it is necessary for you and IL
me to take sides. We must declare fl
!. Grant or for Seymour. No man ca
stand neutral in this great emergency
- Then let us determine at once for who
we shall already be, if not already don
Every one knows who nominated Gral
:, and how it was done. The great Anne
lean people nominated him long beio
the Chicago Convention met. The po
"a ticians would have been glad to ha
= had some one else if they could; sor
~ one not quite SO much given to putin
e. things through on his own line won
ts' have suited them better; but they dar
= not to disregard the voice of the peop
and SO the Convention seconded tn
. verdict. But how about Seymour? W
nominated him, and how was that dor
= lOstensibly the democratic party nom
ated him; but who controlled the actl
of the Convention So far as am a
rY to Judge from the result, the peace de
IA ocrats of the North and the war der
Gratis of the South made the nominati'
= and the platform. The same OHIO d'
NgoCla1Ian Iau-r,