The Republican journal., 1877-09-27
Gov. Hamptcn's Speech in Illinois.

ILLINOIS. If any evidence was needed to show
the high appreciation in which hold the invita-
tlon which brings me here TO-DAY. it would surely
he found III the fact that have travelled more than
one thousand miles that may make my acknow-
Judgements to YOU for the honor You have conferred
IN person Applause. And let me say to YOU
and say ii with infinite pleasure, that had that
Journey been far longer, had its tatigues been
greater. the sight that greets me here to-day and
the cordlality of the welcome given by the people
of Illinois, would have amply compensated me
Applause.
ndcr ordinary circumstances should scarcely
have felt at liberty to have left my official duties
to participate in an occasion of this sort however
gratifying the honor might have been. but the in
Yitation of the Winnebago Agricultural Society
carried with II such weight that it imposed upon
me an obligation which felt | could not neglect.
1t was this Society that year ago-before the po
iitiGa spirit which has now so happily subsidized
lad abated-Was among the first to lnaugurate
that spirit of reconciliation which is now spread
ing with such wholesome force over this land of
ours Therefore when they made call upon me,
as Southern man felt that it was not only my
pleasure but that it was my duty, to 90 and make
response to them in person. and thank them for
their course i'll the interest of harmony, and to
pledge my cordial cooperation in this patriotic
and noble work. Applause
If comprehend the purpose OF Your invitation
TO me, ii not that should speak to you
" upon agricultural subjects but that should
discuss those graver and broader issues which
distracting the country But, my friends IL do
ing that YOU need not feac that shall violate the
prophecies Of the occasion by giving YOU politi
cal speech. ! shall speak to You for no man, for
no party no section, but for the whole country,
applause and doing that shall strive truthfully
l" sink all men and all partisanship and to place
myself upon that grand high plane. where true
and pure patriotism be found Applause.
rs | conStruc the motives of this movement my
iAendS It Is IN the interests OF peace Understand
ing it SO, it that brought me here, and if by
any tlllg that can say or do. II can in the slight
st degree assist these gentlemen i'll the noble work
that they have inaugurated, then, my friends my
mission has not altogether failed.
The chief thing | had liz view in coming here
WAS to promote true and correct understanding
between the people of the North and South You
must admit that very many of the evils which have
fallen GA the country have come from misconcep-
tlon OF the purposes-each of the other You re-
member there Is a profound truth, well as
knowledge OF human nature embodied in the fable
where Ii is told that IN olden times shield white
on one side and black on the other. hung at
The intersection OF two roads and two Knights,
approaching IN opposite directions, disputed as to
@hr color of the shield. Finally their lanees
put in rest, and they periled life each to support
lis own convictions. 1t has seemed to me in look
ing over all these questions, that something of the
same sort happened between the North and South.
The Constitution the shield, viewed as it was
from different points and constructions. The dis
pute upon the different points waxcd warmer and
warmer: the sword called in. and under its
real uhltrament many a brave and true and knight
J., soldier laid down his life in support OF his con
rrtions. What might have happened my friends.
lad prudence and not passion ruled the hour it is
useless for us to say now. The statesman looks at
the past perlIS of his country simply that he may
guard against them, and the prayer and work Of
the patriot should tend to the same end
My friends. | speak Tor the South. We of the
South have not only had enough, but too much Of
val Laughter We seek peace We come nov
10 plead IN the interest of peace and it is for that
am here before You to day. Cheers Can you
doubt. my friends, that the South wants peace
60 look at her ruined fields the misrue under
Which she has lived for twelve wears, and YOU will
doubt it 10 longer. Do Won. men of Illinois, doubt
her sincerity She has been charged with faults:
but among these faults her worst enemies have
never sad she was hypocritical or that She spoke
with double tongue. lmpetuouS, rash. she may
be- bnt, thank God false, never lCheers Do
you want proof Of her sincerity! Look III the re
cenl past and tell me ii Won find assurance
more conclusive than is given b. her conduct
Need tell yoN to look back to those trying DAYS
whenthe Presidential contest wasunsettled hat
Was the course of the South then
tell You of Illinois, and speak not as a Demo
crlt don't know and don't whether speak
t. Democrats or Republicans: speak as an Amerl
can to Americans, and say to YOU to day, You
4 debt OF credit 10 the people of the South cheers
III Congress- to what some of the North have call
ed the Confederate brigtdes," who prevented fill
clustering and stood by the result OF the Electoral
Commission work Daring the recent strikes and
rlots, too, She evnced erteeing by upholding the
laws and standing conservative. She has given
n Sh y,i,t ,.o ooipI a. +b Nrth ''A 70
understand her condition. She wants yon to real
We precisely what she accepts as the result OF
She wants Won to understand the motives which
since tlr. war i' ''''''7 Y''
|, tor myself my friends have no coneealments
I" make for the past | have taken part i'll the
war, nor would your respect for me be increased
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