The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1872-10-12

free, uncOnStralncu vote OF the South
ern people. After due ieliberation and
discussion, 1 said it was my belief then
AS it is still my belief-that if that
people had been allowed such free, fair
opportunity, they would have decided
rs you would have decided-that the
Union should be maintained. Mr..
Greeley was here interrupted for sever
al minutes by cheers and music. On
resumiug he said Those remarks
which l made last evening have been
misrepresentcd-have been, l think,
perverted into an expression of Il pres
ent belief, II present conviction, that
any State has right to dissolve this
Union ut it's own good pleasure. Eel
low citizens, l utterly repudiate and
condemn that sentiment. [Cheers.l
do not believe that one State or that
ton States, or that oven II majority of
all the States has i moral, legal, or con-
atitutional right to dissolve our Union.
[Checrs.l That Union is founded on a
Constitution which is n charter of gov
crnmcnt, not q moro league. 1t does
not create 4 league merely, nor Il con-
federacy, but nation, under Il govern
ment Of limited and defined powers
but of unlimited duration. l believe
that the Union is not only destined to
be, but was intended to be perpetual,
and believe that our great civil war,
il there ever was any reasonable doubt
as to tho nature of that Union, has set
tied that doubt forever. Cheers
That slavery is dead, and that the ma
ton abidcs forever in tho sum and sub
stance of tho verdict pronounced
through the issue of our great contest,
there is no longer II question. There
can never arise question as to the per-
pctuity of the Union. Tho apple of
discord, tho only thing that over made
any American hostile to his own cottn-
try and Constitution, has utterly per-
ishcd. Applause. 1icnceforth tho
American Union abidcs forever, ground
cd in the affections, in tho necessities,
and in tho fcrvcnt devotion of the
whole American people. rCheers.l
II there ever shall again arise u cloud
Of disunion, that will not arise in tho
South and not in the Southern section
of this country. But no such question
will or can arise. AS perpetual rs the
hills, rs solid as the everlasting rocks,
the union of these States abides, and
must abide, forever. One sentiment,
ono purpose animates tho American
heart, and that is that the union Of the
States must and shall be preserved.
Now, icllow-citizens, let me say Il
few words more in regard to your po-
sition, your duties and your prospects.
Cincinnati may be regarded .,s nearly
the industriala and commercial centre OF
our present population. What tho f,,-
ture may bring forth we cannot tell,
but to-day this city il nearly in the
middle of the great commercial move
mcnt of the industrial activity of the
American people. These hills, smil-
ing in their summer abundance, look
lovingly on each other from the N NOrth
and from the South. This mighty riv-
rr, which lnvcs your city in its gentle
current, should persuade to union and
reconciliation. We arc to bc cvcrInOre
ono people. Let us be n harmonious
people, united in heart and hopo ua
well rs in geography and in political
Let us resolve to cult
low citizenship. Let us resolve that
from this city shall go forth influence
to the north and to the south, which
s!ia!! bind the people together in u
band Of swcct"r and stronger affection
than they have ever yHt known. Eel
! rejoice to stand within
the city which has been honored by
within itI limits the Cincinnati
whcrcfrom cmanatcd the
nohlrSt platform of principles ever pre-
scented to the American people. Those
ftffffGfith commend themselves to MY
Judgment. They are dear to my heart.
Applause. If couldd do nnythin. to
give nsrrndanry, perpetual and COM
pl4t', I" <hcSc principles, l would glad
~ do it. II my success or defeat could
their advancement and com
mend them to the hearts Ofthis people,
should rejoice alike in that SUCCESS or
n that defeat. believe they repre-
sent the best Thought, the best purpose,
he best aspirations of the American
people. AS such | accept them, as
uch am proud to be in any capacity
IDENTIFIED with their presentation. 1t
vas not my expectation to be present
ct aS II candidate by that Convention.
ihHt honor was conferred upon me.
md gratefully and readily accepted
t. Applause. And l thank you,
ny fcllow-citizcns, tor the cordiality,
he unanimity, for the majestic strength
II which you have responded to it.
rs one of your number, ! take the
,lacc in your ranks which has bccnas-
signed me, and will cndcavor to bear
your banner lapplauscI with honor,