The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-10
SICKLES' SPEECH.
An Old One Rises to Confront
Him.
Used 80 Prevent His Election as
G. s. r.. Commander.
WAS MADE CONGRESS
Occasion Was the Discussion of
LincoIn's Message.
Gossip About II. Clay Evans and
His Position.

Washington. d. c.. pt.1O-Probably
there was no more conspicuous member
Of the Grand Army of the Republic
under discussion by the members of the
organization throughout the country a
few weeks ago than Major General
Daniel E. Sickles of New York. His
boom for election as commander-in-
chief OF the Grand Army. soon to take
place at the national encamoment at
Cleveland this week seemed to be ex-
tended not only through the east, but
took an impetus among the western
states, Which made his election seem
anything but doubtful at that time.
1t IS claimed that Gen. Sickles' candi-
dacy for the office originated in Wash
ington at the time of the last presiden-
tial Inauguration. 1t was his fight for
the right Of the line in the inaugural
parade, and his success in obtaining
that position for the members Of the
q. A. r. that brought his name into
prominence and started a boom for his
election as communicated chief
However. since the Sickles-E Evans
controversy has taken place there is
some doubt among many old veterans
that Gen Siclzles will be elected to that
office. The friends Of Pension Commits
SiOner H. Clay Evans expect to have a
huge surprise in store for the Sicl1les'
supporters, in that they will present a
copy of a treason speech made by the
general when he was a member of con
gress on the floor Of the house, on De-
cember 10, 1860. This speech was pre-
cipitated by a discussion brought out IN
the refusal Of Representative Hawkins
Of Florida to serve on a special com
mittee Of one from each state of the
Union, to which was referred that por-
ton Of President Iincolns message re-
lating to secession movements.
Gen. Sickles' speech was in part as
follows:
Mr. Speaker, one of the great dan
gers of the day is that the country has
not understood, and does net under
stand. the extent Of the peril in which
it is placed. Illusions have Jssurped the
place Of reason in the popular mind.
These illusions beguile Us for the mo-
ment, only to plunge Us into graver sit
ia lions. Does any man on this floor
suppose that if. in the month Of Octo-
Der. the masses Of the north could have
realized what they now see to be the
sad truth, we would stand now where
we are, on the verge of dissolution? No
man who knows the American people
has the credulity to believe that. The
country has been fatally deceived, and
some Of these illusions possess US even
now. One Of them is that this Union
can be preserved by force; men believe
that although we may be at the moment
menaced by disunion, and although in
cipient movements toward it may be
attempted without interference, and
may be, perhaps, brought to the very
verge of contamination without opposi-
ton. yet at last the strong arm of pow
er will interfere and stay the work
II. for one. Mr. Speaker, have never
for a moment entertained such a
thought It is not the belief or opinion
of the people whom I represent; and
say to you, in all solemnity, that while
the city of New York Will cling to the
Union to the last; while she will look
on the last hour of its existence as we |
would upon the setting sun If we were
never to see it more; yet when the call |
for force cones-let it come whence it |
may-no man viii ever pass the boun- /
diaries of the city of New York for the |
purpose of waging war against any |
state of this Union, which, through its /
constituted authorities. and sustained |
by the voice of its people, and its honor, |
demand that it should seek safety in a |
separate existence
II looked upon secession as the last !
dread alternative of q free state when it !
has to choose between liberty and inius- |
tice In our federal system the recognized |
guard It is the highest constitutional and |
moral guarantee against Injustice; and |
therefore if it had been always and uni |
versally acknowledged as rightful rem
edy it would have Contributed more than |
all else to perpetuate the union by com /
pelling the observance OF all obligations I
on the part Of all the states. The oppo- /
site dogma which is so extensively be- I
lieved in the north, that what matter +
il may and ought to be compelled by force T
to remain in the union, even as con I
error in our system of government and +
has contributed largely TO the existing an
Another allusion, Mr.. Speaker is that +
the responsibility Of dealing with this I
ii The south DO + not 50 Understand ID it.
They have their share Of responsibility.
none are more sensible Of it than thev I
who carry the burden. I believe that the I
responsibility OF dealing with the exist
ing state of things. and the power to deal I
with it effectively. rest alone on the Re I
publican leaders: on those VINO nave Just
power Of the federal government: on
jorities the legislatures Of northern I
states. There the responsibility rests
lutte silence which they have thus far pre-
served as at least eontemptuous. if not
reckless, of the dearest interests Of the
nation. But that IS a question for them
to consider.
When the pioneer sees the pillows of
flame rolling over the burning prairie he
does not waste the precious moments in
bic foe. but he hastens to his ca bin. and
them to a place Of security 70 the south
when the cry Of extermina ton against
tiers, when the slave already hears across
the border the whispering emissary of in
surrection who has suffered unrebuked
70 proclaim his infamous plots aloud IN
he streets and churches of the north.
aoN wen Iae aaf1l!s afl4 l1Lsslas apPs ~,
representatives of the southern states TO
md resume the weary task of persuading
he demagogues and the fanatics Of other
states to undo the irrepara Bile wrong /
which has been eommitted2 No. MOI
Mr. Speaker / hear a great deal said
# propositions to amend the COnstIt2-
ion I trust that skhere max be some rea-
son to expect justice and Cancellation
through that channel But sir. for one.
have a deep distrust Of the capacity Of
his generation and especially OF any OF
Fhom the denuneiations Of the present
Constitution have come. to make Con