Year: 1864

W vV,VVV uaJorlty, we shall do more for
the Union than the capture of Richmond
tomorrow could do. Loud cheers.l In
looking over this vas.l meeting, think |
see that expression of firmness and deter
mination to do what the occasion demands.
which promises we'll for our success, and
i fiji confirmation of my judgement in
the action you have already taken. You
have just nominated one man for the high
est place in the nation, and another for
the highest in your State, with such una
nimity and heartiness that all local dissen-
sions and township chickering's have dis
appeared. This is good augury for the
future. es.l I


sec very different state of feeling now
from what did when returned from Eu
rope. Instead OF doubts and hesitation l
see only strength and resolution. Where
we formerly moved cautiously, or not at
all, we now move steadily and rapidly.
and / think yon will all concur with me,
that this is due greatly to Abraham Lin
coin, whom | look upon as the man for
the times. above all living men. Tire
mendous cheering. At first 1 doubled if
he would prove firm enough or would
move fast enough for the great questions
he had to meet. His setting aside the
slavery policy of Fremont in Missouri
seemed to Justify these fears. One day
about that time said to him, "Mr. Presi-
dent, why can't we have policy?" He
looked at me, and in his plain. sterling
language replied, Governor, that is Just
what | don't want" Laughter and
cheers. did not understand him at first
But i do now. II we had been carrying on
foreign war, the President ought to have
led off in the establishment of a line of
policy. But in q civil war, where our
own citizens are our enemies, he could not
lead. 1t was his business not 10 antici.
pate, but to follow the directions Of pub
lie sentiment. He had to wait for the
people to move before he could move
Suppose two years ago he had sent negro
troops to Missouri, how many regiments
of white men would have remained in the
army? Not one. [Cries That's so,"
and laughter.] Now how is it? You can
find nobody who is not in favor of arming
negroes. Everybody is willing that they
shall fight if they caa. Men who threat
ened me when | voted in the Senate two
years ago to arm the slaves now approve
that vote. Even Democrats who denoun-
ced it eighteen months ago are now ready
to swear that they were always in favor
of it. Laughter and cheers. You may
write it on that column (pointing to the
State House that no party can live in
this country who is opposed to letting the
blacks help save the country. Great
cheering.


The President next spoke of the plat
form he desired. He said it was very
short one, and might be put in q very few
words. 1t was to fight this war to the
last, subjugate the rebels, to extermina.ion
if necessary. rather than have our Govern
ment overthrown. The best light we can
have on the policy Of the nation is the light
blazing from the mouths of cannon, Ggreat
cheers while single rebel in arms re-
mains. 1t was no use to talk about CON-
promise. Cries. mo" There could
be no compromise without concession on
both sides. and what could we conceded
What will the rebels take but indepen-
dence, and how can we coDcede that with
out ruin? [Cheers.l No concession, no
compromise is the platform stand upon.
My Democratic friends who talk of peace
can make no peace but what will end in a
new war, and wider desolatiou.


He next discussed the Presidents Eman-
cipation proclamation, and showed how
effective it had been in weakening the re-
bellion by destroying confidence in the Ia
Dor system of the rebel States. After di-
lating at some length on this topic he said
he was astonished at his Democratic
friends. Why could they not 60 with the
Union men of the North? Were these
men unfit for such associations? What
more could Democrat ask than to follow
men who adhered to the Union through
such unequalled trials? He then described
his sort of Union man; one who could give
up slaves, property, family, and all for
the Union. [Cheers.l He instanced George
NJ. Dallas as a noble specimen of q Dem
ocrat who could prefer country to party.
though life long partisan. Hethen said
"for fear some may think have spoken
too little of a subject which should have
received more attention, / now declare
that when the war is over no man will
ever again see human being brought to
the auction block" Great cheering.


The President then introduced Governor
Morton with glowing compliment to his
services, which be said iu future days
would make it pride for an Indisn to
ssy that he had lived under the admins
tretion of such man. [Cheers.


Gov. Morton then came forward and
proceeded to read carefully prepared
statement of the political history of the
State during the past year and its relation
to the national contest, which. in its state
ments, arguments and exposures of the
disloyal purposes and indefensible practi-
ces of the 'Copperheads. forms the most
terrible indictment probably ever presented
against any party. sT ss


1--WE are reluctantly compelled to omit
the Governors speech this week for want
of room, but will publish it next week.
At the conclusion of the Governors
speech. Gov. Wright sprang from his
chair and called for 'nine cheers for Gov
ernor Morton" And they were Civ
en- in full measure, and with spirit that
looked as thouga nine more would have
been more satisfactory. The speech was
heard from the first word to the last With