The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-07-05
THE CAMPAIGN OPENED
SPBECH OF
GENERAL GEORGE W. MORGAN
ST. CLAIRsVILLE, O., June 20, 1871.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, O., June 20, 1871.
| FELLOW CITIZENS "A deep con
viction exists among the people tha
the federal government is administer
ed in the interest OF few individual.
like private corporation that ex-
travagance and corruption pervade ev
cry department of the Government.
aIsd that many of those IN power use
their positions to amass large private
fortunes, rather than secure public
good. '
In Republic those in authority are
the mere agents of the people and theil
conduct should undergo candid but crit
cal examination not only as TO matters
of honesty and economy, but as to the
wisdom of their acts. A people may
be ruined by the blunders of their
agents, as well as by their prohigacy
and to secure public prosperity, vigi.
lance is necessary. It is plain that
the interests of the great body of eur
fellow-citizens are the same, and ii
should be the object of political inves-
tigation TO ascertain in what those in
terests consist
1 believe in the integrity and pat
riotism of the great body of the people,
and did not so believe, I would not
be here to-day In spirit of impair
tiality let us briefly consider the ad-
ministration of the Federal Govern
mcnt since 1861. If it has been
| constitutional, wise and honest, it is a
good reason why those in power should
receive the sanction IF the people. If
on the other hand, it has been unwise,
unconstitutional and corrupt, all good
citizens will unite in saying that there
should be a change. To be just in
,, dealing with the acts of public men,
whether civilians or soldiers, is a
patriotic duty. for in good part they
make country's history, but scrutiny
into their conduct is duty not less
sacred.
THE FATAL MISTAKE.
My friends, would the South have
inaugerated secession and civil war,
had Southern statesman, been satisfied
that they could not obtain the aid of
the Southern officers, who were in the
service of the United States, to organ
ize and command their armies. 1t is
not probable. Unhappily, no sooner
did Mr.. Lincoln become President,
than civil war was regarded rs inev-
liable, and Southern officers at once
commenced toresi2n their commissions
The inauguration of the new President
took place on the 4th cf March, and
the resignation of Col. Saml. Cooper,
Adjutant General of the United States
Army was accepted three days later
FIVE days before Fort Sumter was
fired upon. The acceptance of these
designations, was taken as notice
that Southern officers could resign
and go South as soon as they desired
to do so. This fact emboldened such
of the Southern leaders as desired q
conflict, and the destruction and sur
render of Sumter was the result -
What would you have done my Re
publican friends, if after the surren
der of Sumter, Southern officers had
rendered their resignation for the
avowed purpose of taking up arms
against the United States-would you
have accepted them? 1 think not
Would you not have arrested and held
them as prisoners of war? Had that
course been pursued, confederate ar
Inies could not have been organized,
and even had they been, without great
generals to lead them, the conflict
would have been short and decisive
The opposite course was taken. Be-
tween the capture of Summer and the
second of June following, the resigna-
tions of more than $50 officers had
been accepted, and the Republican
administration furnished jefferson Da-
Wis with great captains like Robert Z
Lee, Albert Sidney Johnston, Joseph
f. Johnston, James NJ. Longstreet,
and scores of others of less skill and
distinction. Prior to leaving our ser
vice, they held the highest rank in our
army and each of these chiefs was ex-
perienced in war. This fatal blunder
cost half million lives, and thou
sands of millions of dollars, and such
my countrymen will be the Judgment
of history. Uncontradicted L have
twice charged this fact on the floor of
the House, and as held in my hand
there so l do hold in my hand now,
the official evidence Of what l charge
the Register OF the Army of the
United States for 1861. And once
for all desire to say that I will in a
spirit of kindness answer all questions
wllichmay be asked me concerning
the subjects discuss. I do not charge
the Administration with treachery in
accepting these designations; but do
say, that, at the least, it was not only
unwise, to do so, but a stupendous
blunler.
WORSE THAN A BLUNDER WHY THE
FEDERAL DEBT WAS MADE.
You may at first feel surprised, fel-
low citizens, when you hear me say
that the creation of the mammoth fed :
eral debt which is consuming our
country, was not a matter of necessity
but of art. And I will deserve your
censure, which 1 would greatly regret;
unless l give you good reason for the
opinion / have expressed.
Upon no subject have no men more
differed than upon that of Govern
ment. Despotisms are based upon
the idea that men must be governed
by fear, inspired by force, as in Rus
sia, Turkey and China In other
countries the idea exists that a money
ed oliga:chy makes the best govern
ment that government should take
care of the rich. and the rich stake
care of the poor" This is the kind of
government which exists in England,
where one person out of every eighty
is pauper. and where all the lands