Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-01-21
Address by senator Wilson.

Address by Senator Wilson.
BY invitation Senator Wilson. of Massachu-
.stte, addressed a large audience last evening
At Union LEAGUE Hall, under the auspices OF
the Soldiers and Sailors Union. Mr. Wilson
was introduced to the audience by Major Will
liam - Morse, president of the Union. He said
he desired to show who are responsible for all
ne trials, sufferlngs, and sorrows of the last
seven years. AT thirty minutes past o-cIock
on the morning Of the 18th of April 1851, the
lannon's treason had trained upon Sumter,
opened upon the old flag. compelling il, after a
bombaTdment of 80 hours, 10 come down and
give place to the hammer of rebellion, which
waived for awhile over the ruins Patriotism
then summoned the loyal men of the country to
leave their homes, their dear and loved ones
brothers, sisters and wiyes-and follow the flag
they loved so well over many bloody battle
fields. Mindful of a country 20 save. more than
TWO millions left their homes and rallied 10 the
support of the nag and the Government For
four long wears We followed them through sir
hundred battle fields, saw their ranks decima-
kd- their boSOms barred STEADILY to the foe until
At last their victorious legiOns coma uered and
not a rebel flag waived from the Potomac To the
Rio Grande. We welcomed them back; 350OoO
OF them had sunk into bloody graves 1000 % re-
turned home manned and wounded TO linp,r
among US and remind US of the tolls through
which they had parsed. We had during these
long years passed III oagh suffering and trials
called upon 10 endure. He then asked. wby
was all this; why was II there was put upon
Inc tOlilng men OF this Republic debt that they
must work out with their sweat and blooil
somewherel
He then reviewed the history of slavery. saw
ing that II swayed and controlled the country
for more than half a century. and the names OF
Washington Franklin. Adams. jefferson Henry
and others who founded the Republic, have
left recorded in Its history their ntterances
against that cursed system that has blighted the
land. Prom ls2O 10 1872 slavery not only con-
uollsd the South, but the whole North. the Su-
m 40 -I... Ii
dark shadow was east over the whole land IL
was then that few God-fearing good Chris,
tan men, W no believed in the faiherhood of God
and the brotherhood of man. assembled and re-
solved 10 use all the power q cd had given them
70 relieve the down-trodden slave and help IN.
freeman of color: their aims became known and
gradually they strengthened, and from that
little band a National Anti Slavery Society was
for msd, which met with violent and determined
opposition. Scenes of violence became frequent
throughout 1884, 1885, and 1886 The lamentad
Love oy was brutality shot in his own door: the
press OF DIR. Bailey. of Cincinnati. was thrown
IN the river; the city of New York was illumed
by moos OF violent men; and, later. the fires of
Pennsylyania Hall, IN the city OF Brotherly
Love. were kindled by the tiendish and damn
ing spirit of slavery.
Before God, the past and the future. behold
the SHAREHOLDERS responsible for all the woe and
misery cast upon US, for the death of three
hundred thousand brave men, and woundinr
and manning OF four hundred thousand and
Tor all the tears of sorrow OF the widowed and
childless. They are the guilty ones and will
be called upon 10 answer for their crime. The
men " no elected Abraham Lincoln never fired
upon lne 9id nag Great applause.l When
your tax bill Is presented for the support of the
Government, To help sustain the heavy burden
cast upon n, remember that the men who SIM
fort abraham Lincoln are not responsible for
IL Inc responsibility for every dollar of that
debt that rests to-day upon the industry and
iaeor OF the country Is upon the stakeholder
Inc speaker then reviewed the events of these
latier days-tmanclpatIon of the slaves: giving
them the elective franchise in the District. the
passaye of the civil rights bill, &c and said
me glorious acts of the last eight years will
gladden. the hearts of all coming generations
and the namPs of the heroes like Grant Sb.r
man. Sheridan, and Thomas. and the long list
OF others who fought for the Republic. will
glitter on the pages of history. and thu name-
of Lincoln, Hamlm, Sumner Fessenden 81.
vens, tremendous eheeringl and others IN m.
halls OF Congress Will live, and through the
coming allne the young men of the Republic
VIII speak their names with gratitude when
We are Wondering in the dust. The children
OF the men who upheld the monstrous reheIIion
vii WSh thslI names blotted from the pages
OF history When we had made the country
free, borne all these terrible burdens and
hoped 10 crown the work by secure Ieyislarion
me man whom we had lifted up the second
time 10 the Presidential chair was assasslnated
ana The Vice President turned a traitor TO his
country and the party that had placed him in
power.
Why, when the rebellion closed tho rahs,s
were stoopins-aye, with their necks ready for
the yoke-yet no one wished to degrade them
but 10 secure the rights Of all. 1 have praved
MAT Cod would Undue them with his wisdom
and cannot understand why we have had So
70 struggle with that man in the White House
With his vast patronage he is Struggling m
uampie upon the rights of the people and
bring rebels into power. / believe Andrru
Johnson's bad conduct, madness and treason
VIII be- oyerruled for the good Of the country
ana that We shall settle the question upon a
more soIid o-sls, than we would have secured
lmmedlately after We had conquered them
The hand ofGod Is in it, As we have been sad
oensd by his treachery, so do belisy. we shan
Triumph The ten States of the South will
come IN the next six months, and will be reprr.
senied by liberty glowing men, the country win
De united and We shall go into the great struo
l-64. ~ ."
AT the conclusion Of the address Senator Viii
son was long and enthusiastically cheered