Year: 1862

unqualified Support of the Gov.


ernment.


Speech Of Col. John W Forney at the area,


meeting Of the Unconditional Union Par


ty, at National Hall, Philadelphia, Oct.


8, 1862.


Mr.. FoRNEY spoke as follows: t


Nearly six years ago, impelled by'a stern
sense Of duty, and impressed by the belief
that the Administration of Mr.. Buchanan
had resolved to violate the pledges upon
which it was elected, and to prepare the
way for the dissolution of the Union, de-
termined to take issue with the organization
of the Democratic party. Reared and edu-
Gated in the belief that party was devoted to
the American Union, and profoundly con-
vinced that the teaching of its fathers were
best calculated to preserve this great bro
therhood of States, I contemplated the
treachery of Mr.. Buchanan as not only VIC
lation of the traditions of the old Democra-
cy but deliberate insult to the doctrines
which had been handed down to US by
Thos. Jefferson. If had one motive more
powerful than another to impel me sduring
all these years, it was so to appeal to my old
Democratic friends to correct and check the
heresies and corruptions Of the Administra-
ton, to the electlan of which they had con.
tributed 50 much, as to prevent the nation
from falling to pieces, and to recover and
secure tho triumphant ascendancy of that
time-honored party. Hence, whenever I
had the honor to address the people sought
to speak to an audience of Democrats.
knew right well that the errors and pro-
scriptions ofthe last Administration would
be seized by the general Opposition, and
would be used for their own advantage, but
I felt that the best ray to make the rehuke
permanent. and to perpetuate through all
time the memory Of an unparalleled betrayal
Of confidence, was to fill the Democratic
heart with keen and singing sense of the
wrongs which had been perpetrated
upon the Democratic people. In the whole
ritual of the Democracy could see no such
sinister idea as Secession. Its creed, if il
had any meaning, was the largest liberation
Of opinion. the freest freedom, the strongest
affection for all the suffering children of men
and, above all, lasting, religious, unchang-
ing, and idolatrous devotion to the Union
Not one of its followers advocated or taught
any other lesson. To night appear before
a meeting composed Of men of all parties,
instinct and alive with the great idea that
the precious inheritance bequeathed to US
by the heroes and sages of the past is in i'm
inent peril, and that its deadliest foe, includ-
ing those WHO are now arrayed against it in
the battlefield, unblushingy claims to fight
against it in the name of Democracy. Among
the fierce solliers who are now seeking to
take the life of the Republic, there is not
one who does not proclaim that he is Dem
ocra.-there ,s not one who, while execra-
ting the Northern people, does not reserve
for praise and reward the men who will xote
against the unconditional Union ticket on
Tuesday next nor is there single leader
Of the so-cailed Democrstie party, here and
elsewhere, who does not cherish secret,
and, too often, an open sympathy for the
embattled Rebellion II is not for me to
solve this stupendous problem, TO explain
why it is that the Democracy: from having
been the great soldier Of freedom on this
Continent, has so far fallen from his high es
tate, has so turned upon its darling record,
has so far confronted the deeds that have
made its .riumphs so many examples to
guide and educate the public mind, as now
to be, on the one hand, the armed assailant
Of tho Union. and on the other the deadly
and remorseless foe of the Government. II
is no purpose OF mine to arraisn the masses
who call themselves Democrats under this
indictment. know well. Mr.. Chairman,
how frequently and how sadly the people of
this country and Of all countries allow them.
selves to be misled and deceived. Our own
history abounds with instances Of this truth.
In times past we have seen anti masonry
sweep over portion Of this Union like a
pcstilence, mystifying and bewildering the
most intelligent, and changing msjorities al
most in night. This popular delirium has
puzzled the philosopher even more than that
which We now remember and regret, under
the name of Know Nothingism and at this
hour there are living thousands of men, who
on the 14th Of October, win honestly vote
sgainst the Government and the war, and
who, in another short year, will mourn in
sackcloth and ashes their fatal mistake
They viii then see what we see They will
then admit frankly to each other, not only
that they allowed themselves to be carried
away from high and solemn obligation,
but that those who misted them were no
more entitled to the name Of Democrats
than Rebel is entitled to the name Of pa.
triot, or sinper to the name ofa saint. +
know how difficult it is to break away from
the Democratic organization. Weak men,
IS they confess to the enormities Of the
Democratic leaders, are terrified at the idea
ofresisting them, and 50 commit themselves
to the current, until at last they are brought
to sense Of their errors by some glaring
unmistakable, and notorious act Of shame
Never in the worlds history was there
moro causeless Rebellion than this !; never
in the worlds history was there more