The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1868-09-12
HON. EUGENE CASSERLYS
SPEECH.

Ladies and Gentlemen, and Members Of Me
Young MEMS Central Democratic Ct40:
For more than 10 years after the forma.
ton of the American Government In l1o9
down to 1861, the Republic was governed
in general conformity to the views OF the
Constitution and the Union held by the
great men who framed the one and estab-
lished the other. Political parties existed
and their contests we're earneSt--at times
bitter and obstinate. Upon many points
thew stood opposed to each Other-Demo-
Gratis to Federalists, to National Repub-
licans and TO Wings. But as to the great
subjects of the Constitutional powers OF the
general Government and their dlstrioutlon
among its departments; of its rights and
those Of the States, and the rights OF in
dividuals; and the true nature Of the Union,
its spirit and obligations; the controlling
majority of the people were substantially
agreed: and the several administrations
which they placed successfully in power,
of whatever party, contormed the Govern
ment of the time, with scarcely an excep-
ton, TO the wisdom and the teachings OF
Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison and their as
sociates.
Under this policy it followed that the
American people grew with a growth I'M
exampled in history. They were free,
united and happy, and they speedily became
prosperous and powerful: -,
Tie nations Of the earth saw with wonder
and most of them with admiration the
success of a Government so founded and SO
conducted.
During that memorable era our States
increased from 10 to 33 of which our own
State of California was won by the united
valor and commingled blood Of the whole
people North and South. Our territory,
from less than one million to nearly three
million square miles. Our population,
reinforced from the teeming shores oil
Europe, increased from four millions to 81
millions our miles of railroad were over
80 900; our exports and imports in the
aggregate were nearly 800 millions. Our
canvas was on every sea and our nag IN
every port.
Upon this bright horizon there was
a single sign of danger, but the country
hoped that by time and with patriotism, 1t
would pass away as others had done before
it.
So the wear 1860 found the American
Republic, the grandest political fabric on
the earth, rising in the face Of the nations
visibly to the stars.
In that year party newto the Govern
ment, and imbued with ideas in politics not
accepted by large majority of the people,
was successful in the election. Next year
broke out q civil war between geographical
sections of the country which speedily
assumed the most formidable proportions.
1t lasted for four years, producing
such destruction of life and property as
men had never witnessed in like period
OF time.
OF this war, its causes and its incidents
| do not propose to speak. 1t and they
have in great measure passed into history.
SHALL THE RESULTS OF THE WAR AGREE
WITH THE OBJECTS OF THE WAR?
More than three years have gone by since
the war closed. The important question
now is. Have the results of the war CORE
sponded with its objects as defined and de-
ciared over and over throughout the war
by the authorities, from the time of Mr.
Lincoln's first proclamation, by the
Executive, by Congress, by the State De-
partment to the world, by the commanders
Of our armies and navies, and so under
stood and cherished by the country? Those
objects are well known. They were these,
and only these: The maintenance of the
Union and the Constitution, and the
vindication Of their supremacy in the States
in arms against the Government Or have
the results been something widely different
and not only different, but destructive Of
the objects 80 declared, understood and
cherished ?
That such have been the results thus far
is but too well known.
In full view of these facts and of the
general election soon to be held, the first
since the war closed, the American people
have now to inquire how this has come
about, and why and by whose fault. It will
be for them also to do what is needful te
retrieve the past, and to take care that the
results of the war shall not be a defeat Of
its great objects, and of the unexampled
sacrifices made to accomplish them.
This is the great issue Of the present,
passing SO far into the future. Shall the
Constitution and the Union be vindicated
and maintained in the ten States which
we're the theater of the conflict of arms
1t is simply the issue of the war over again
The only difference is in the form in which
it presents ITSELF The issue is as vital now
as it was then; while the form Of it is more
dangerous, because the present peril is of q
revolution In the government, through
the action of those charged with it for the
time, under the appearances OF Law
and the claim of effecting the will of the
people.
Of the magnitude of such an issue there
can be but one opinion.
NV own position during the war is doubt
less we'll known to most of you. 10 my
fellow-citizens and friends in San Francis
co, where / have lived for eighteen years,
l need not say that my course was adopted
from the deepest convictions Of duty and
adhered to in the same spirit. Inspired by
the same convictions of duty and the same
idea Of the priceless value OF tho American
Union, now as then, stand now as l stood
hen,-ths issue the same now as then, the
same in its essence, not less vital In 1ts
effect different only in its form.
While the war ragged mer were not asked
how they had previously stood in the polit-
ical divisions of the country-but if they
were right then. The war was taken as a new
point Of departure. The same is equally
true of the present grave crisis OF the coun-
try. The duties and difficulties Of peace
while they are at least as great as those OF
war, are very different in kind. The rough
surgery of war fails unless attended by the
healing medicines Ct peace. Mems minds
have changed greatly. Thousands who
differed during the war agree now, and
other thousands who were mainly agreed
then are directly opposed now If any man
stands with us on the great issues of this
contest he is right.
The war is over and it is time that its
passions should be laid to rest Our Ma
tional Convention, speaking the Judgment
of the people South as we'll as North, has
pronounced the questions of secession and
Slavery settled forever. Nothing now re.
mains to prevent good men, of whatever
party heretofore, from working together to to
restore the government in this election, to
the principles and policy under which TO!
more than 10 years the country fiourished
beyond all former example.
It is no matter Of surprise # now and
then some vehement words fall from lips OF
man stung by the wrongs inflicted on a
trampied land by the negro supremacy
policy of Congress, and giving back tauni
for taunt to our opponents. In land Of
free speech no monopoly OF stfons lan-
,yuage belongs to either side.
RADICALS MUST ACCOUNT.
Our opponents have had the whole power
of the Government almost since the close o.
the war, and they have had it uncontrolled.
They come before the country now for