Year: 1862

the Government.


Thaddeus Stevens, of Penns ylvania. having
received unanimous denomination for Con-


gress from the Union men i'm his district, ac-
cepted it in the following speech, delivered


before the convention, in which he discusses
the policy of the government with great bold
| ness:


"Fellow-citizens: have come for the pur.
pose of thanking you and accepting your
nomination. 1t is always gratifying to public
man to be assured Of the continued confidence
| OF those whose servant he is, but especially so
IN times like these, when the wisest men differ
on question of policy. / had prepared to
speak ON those questions, and to criticise, not
in fusome manner, but as thought 1t de-
served, the conduct OF the war and the present
policy of the Administration but in the last
hour have hesitated to speak as had intend
ed-whether it were proper to criticise now,
IN this hour of deepest gloom, when we know
not where our armies are, but only that they
are nowhere successful. But whether we adj
wise the government, or find fault with 1t, we
must all do everything to strengthen the hands
OF our nation. Let us not despair; life is not
all sunshine-it has gloom with joy, adyersity
with prosperity-nor is the victory always to
the just-human energy and earnestness will
often wrest from fate what would seem to be-
long to justice alone. Possibly we have not
yet suffered enough; but let no man falter In
his loyalty to the government, no matter how
he may criticise its policy; for he who falters
now Is traitor not only to his country but to
humanity and to his God


have not determined whether to sneak as
had intended; perhaps, when we know the re-
suit of these few days l may meet you and
speak to you. / have protested against the
present policy, not only to the people. but to
the face Of the President and his cabinet. and
on the floor Of Congress, as those know who
have done me the honor to read my speeches:
told them that they were exercising too much
lenity at the request of border statesmen-not
one OF whom, in my judgment, has loyalty in
his heart. have accused the prime minister
TO his face for having gone back from the faith
he taught us, and instead of armng every man,
black or white, e,who would fight for this Union
Withholding well-meaning Presidentfrom do
ing SO until, as we advance into their country
and our armies dwindle away from miasma
and disease, they spring up behind us and re-
take what we had gained. They still hold the
mississippi, and threaten us even on the banks
OF the Ohio; all because the slaves at home
are giving them no trouble-because we are,
at the point Of the bayonet, keeping them 10y
al TO their masters instead of to the Union


Il have told these things to the President
and Cabinet, and they replied-'It may come
TO this "COne 10 Misr' when 100000 men
have melted away. and s2OOOOOOoOO been
spent: aCome 20 tbisr' when another half
million lives shall have been LOST and b;ll;on or
dollars more laid upon YOU in taxation. can
not and Uiu not stand his-and IL you elect
me shall vote that every man he armed blact
and white. who can aid In crnshing the rehel-
lion; that every inch of rebel soil he taken
and sold to paw the debt of this war. I will
not 20 with the President in paving for ali the
slaves-I did not vote for his resolntion-mI
will not vote 10 nav for any slave or a reIo,