The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-09-26
His Speech at Cincinnati.
THE UNION ONE AND INDIvIsIBLE.
ANOTHER APPEAL FOR PEACE AND GOOD
WILL.


CINcISSATI, sept. 20, 1872.
CltlZens OF the State of Ohio--I am here a
guest at the invitation of the Common
council of Cincinnati It is their desire a.
1t Is my wish, that I should, while their
guest, abstain from any remarks which
might SAVIOR of a partisan purpose and
1ully designed, had been left at liberty. so
10 speak, that no one of any party could
possibly nave taken exception to il. But
there has been an attack upon me since I
came here which l will trust to the hospi-
Callty and the generosity of my entertainers
TO permit me to repel here aud now.
Last evening at Pittsburgh in the course
OF some Off-hand remarks to vast assem-
0Iage like this, l took pains to explain to
them the circumstances, the extraordinary,
Unprecedented circumstances, under which
l was impelled in the winter of 1860 and 81
to offer in good faith to submit the whole
question of Union or disunion to the fair
unconstrained vote of the Southern people
alter due delibeFatiOn and discussion
said then it was my belief, aud it is siill my
belief, that il the people had been allowed
such a free and fair opportunity, they would
nave decided as you would have decided,
that the Union should be maintained. Those
remarks which | made last evening have
been misrepresented, have been, | think,
perverted into an expression of present
belief and present conviction that any State
has a right to dissolve this Union at its own
good pleasure.
Fellow itizens-I utterly repudlate and
condemn that sentiment. TCheers1 |
don't believe any State, or that ten States
even majority of all the States, has right
To dissolve our Union, Applause That
Union is founded on the Constitution it is
chartered Government, not mere league
1t does not constitute confederacy merely,
but nation; Government of limited and
defined powers, but of unlimited duration
believe that the Union is not only destined
to be, but WAS intended to be perpetual
and believe that our great civil war-lf
there ever was any reasonable doubt as to
the nature of that UniOn-has settled that
doubt forever, Renewed applause That
slavery is dead and that the Union abides
forever.
Such is the sum and substance of the YER
dict pronounced through the Issues of our
great contest. There is no longer a ques-
ton, then, az to the perpetuity ofthe Union.
The apple of discOrd the only thing that
ever made any American hostile to his own
country and constitution, has utterly per-
lshed. Thenceforth the American Union
abides forever, grounded in the affections,
in the necessities, in the fervent devotion of
the whole American people. If there ever
shall again arise question of disunion,
that question will be presented not for the
South, not for the Southern section of this
nation; but no such Il question will or can
arise.
AS perpetual as the hills, solid as the ev-
erlasting rocks, the union of these States
Rbides, and must abide forever. One senti-
ment, one purpose animates the American
heart, and that is that the union of the
States must and shall be preserved.
fCheers.l
Now, felIow-citizens, it may be allowed
me to say Il few words more generally with
regard TO your position, your duties, and
your prospects. Cincinnati may be regar-
ded as very nearly the industrial and COM
mercial centre OF our present population.
What the future may bring forth we can't
tell, but to-day the city is nearly in the
middle of the great commercial movement.
of the industrial activity of the American
people. Its hills, smiling in the summer
abundance look lovingly on each other for
the North and the South. It's mighty river
which leaves your city in its gentle current
is a persuasive to union and reconciliation.
We are to be ever more one people, let lis be
a harmonious people, united in heart and
hope as well as in geography and in politi-
cal associations. Let us resolve to cultivate
the graces and charities of fellow citiZen-
ship. Let us resolve that from this city
shall go forth an influence to the North and
the South, which shall bind the people to-
gether In the cords of a sweeter and stron-
ger affection than they have ever yet
known.
Fellow citizens, l rejoice to stand in the
city which has been honored by the hold
ing Of the Cincinnati Convention, where
from went forth the mobiles platform of prin-
ciples ever presented to the American peo-
pie. Applause. These principles COM
mend themselves to my judgment, they are
dear to my heart. If l could do anything to
give ascendancy, perpetual and complete, to
these principles, | would gladly do it. If
my success or my defeat could promote
their Advancement and commend them to
the hearts of the people, l should rejoice
alike in that success as in that defeat |
believe they represent the best thought,
the best purpose, the best aspirations of the
American people. As such | accept them,
as such l am proud to be even in any ca
pacity identified with their preservation.
1t was not my expectation to be presented
as a candidate by that convention. That
honor was conferred upon me, and l thank
fully, readily, accepted 1t, and thank you,
my fellow-citizens, for the cordiality, for
the unanimity, for the majestic strength, in
which you have responded to it, As one OF
your number l take the place in your ranks
which has been assigned me, and will en-
Geavor to bear your banner with honor,
with truth, with justice, wherever the future
may lead, and wherever the good prOvi-
dence of God may enable me to carry it.