Year: 1864

cur gallant sOldlery who, are bravlng


death IN the field, CT of the fundamental


principles Of eur government, or one


single word eff denunciation Of these


traitors in arms who are striving to de-
stroy the best government to world ever
saw. Not one word of censure had they
for them-e~B But the burden of their song
was peace, pease- Stop fighting, they
cried ; keep your soldiery from shooting
at their misguided brethren, and when
JEFF. Davis comes NOrth, as he did a
year ago, they will 60 TO him and use
their influence with him to induce him to
stop shooting upon Us. They promise to
ask him if he hasn I done mischief enough,
shed blood enough, and fred upon oul
flag enough. and say to him, now in Gods
name stop and give US peace, for ''blessed
are the peacemakers."


jefferson Davis entered Congress about
/ the same year l did. have met him
often and know him well. But there
was this difference between JEFF Davis
and me. ] paid for my education, JEFF
didn't for his. He was taken at q ten
der age and placed at West Point, ard
your father and mine was taxed to pay
for the instruction that rescued him from
oblivion. We made the very common
mistake of judging of his head rather
than his heart, and did not notice the VI
per that was ooiling there, and which we
nursed into life to sting US if possible to
death. When his sehoolboy days were
over, JEFF was sent of west here at the
government expense and spent year or
SO surveying around Calumet, fishing and
lounging, and shooting grouse at govern
ment expense and eating them himself.
He then married into the government
his wife being the daughter Of General
Tayler, who was askn2ported by the.gOvern-
ment; went to Iexican war and re-

turned to become Secretary Of war and
to viliify tie gallant soldiery of Illinois
for thOir part npon the field Of Buena
Vista. For this Governor Blssell called
h -v,.s, lDs-.-eI4fhie particular occasion
Jeff didn't come out.


He was for peace, blessed are the
peacemakers. When he ceased to be
Secretary Of war, he woke up one morn
ing and suddenly discovered that he had
lost his rights Yes, this man who ate
our bread, and sucked our blood, went
out Of the Union and raised the unholy
and heIliSh banner Of revolt, and there
are men, OF al least those who have the
form of men, who would go down upon
their knees to this perjured paUp and
whiningly say, I'VE know, jeff, you
hevn't had your rights. There Is much
left YOU could have had by putting your
hands upon it please come and take, and
if there is anything left you can't uss
wei! take il; but, jeff, come back We
want peace, and blessed are the peace
makers"


When spoke from these steps 2 few
weeks ago, / told you that decided stand
could moi be taken until the other plat
form was IN the field We have it now.
It's platform IS made, It's principles enun-
c.ated, and It's candidates put forth.
Their tag has only one emblem, that of
peace They sing but one song, that Of
peace. So l am for peace, but with this
difference want an honorable peace
they disgraceful surrender.


When traitors fire upon the flag Of my
country, know of but one duty-that Of
resistance.


There are some things that I .cannot
approve in the prosecution Of this war.-
But we must remember that war always
brings It's calamilies that are inseperable
from state Of war, and whatever may be
the petty views Of individuals upon the
non-important events Of the war, the man
that will not stand by his country now,
and fully and faithfully serve her in all
things is unworthy of a name CT place
among honorable men.


The leaders of the South want no peace
except upon the basis Of z recognition Of
the right of secession-which we viii
never grant. Concede II once. and al we
love is gone. When we come together
for an election, and the question Ia about
TO be decided by count of votes, up will
Jump some demagogue and cry, Don't
do 1t, for if you do know of some state
that viii secede " No, gentlemen; II Is
unreasonable. We must fight i. out, and
wnen peace is obtained, II must be last
ing, permanent peace which shall bind
this Union together IN bonds stronger and
more enduring than the eternal hilIs-a
peace wrung from this traitorous crew, Il
necessary, AT the point Of the bayOnet and
by the strong right arm and best blood of
our nation Let Us accept no reoonstrue-