Year: 1864

"The Union must and shall be preserved.


Under the call of the National Union
Executive Committee, general meeting
was held in Independence Square, in
Philadelphia, on Saturday evening, Sep
tember 10th, to ratify the National Union
nominations. The immense assemblage
was addressed by Hon. Simon Cameron,
Hon John Cessna, and number of 9TH
crs. In the Philadelphia Press of Mon
day, September 18th, 1864, we find the
following report of


HON. JOHN CEsSSA'S SPEECH


Ar. President and tcHor Ctizens =
Since the polls was closed on the first
Tuesday of November, 1860, | have very
rarely appeared before my fellow citizens
as a political speaker Nor do l expect
to change that habit to- night, because, al
though this is tc great extent politi-
cal meeting, yet in what little l shall say
to my fellow citizens, no matter what 9TH
ers may say on the subject, | do not wish
to be understood as making strictly po-
htical address SO far, however, as what
/ have TO say here tonight may partake
of political character, shall ask the
indulgence of those who may hear NE, to
believe me when | say that it will in no
degree vary id principal from the politi-
cal addresses which | have delivered with
in the last four years, or at any former
time. am fully sensible, however, Of
the fact that to night appear before ma
ny of my fellow citizens with whom | have
never heretofore politically acted in har-
mony. My position IN appearing before
you, so far as relates to nay personal feel
ings, and so far as relates to the attach
ment of my friends, is cne Of somewhat
painful character; yet | hold that these
are times when no man is justified in
yielding to the selfish considerations of
political position or personal feeling 1t
is but natural to desire the good opinion
of all our fellow citizens, and to regret
when We are compelled to differ with
those with whom we have long acted; but
as have already said, there are duties
devolving upon us which are of far more
weight and influence than the mere con-
siderations Of personal comfort, and it is
the influence of those duties upon my
mind, upon my conscience, and upon my
judgment which has brought me here to-
night. [Applause.1 Although there are
many painful considerations in connection
with my appearance here tonight, there
are those Of different nature To the
first place, those men and those political
journalists with whom [ formerly acted,
and who, if they notice our proceedings
tonight, will doubtless most rudely and
extensively denounce me, are those who,
for the last four years, have been the loud
est, most eloquent, and most persistent in
advocacy of the right of free speech and
the enunciation of Individual opinion
In the next place, these men and these pa
pers who will denouuce me as renegade
and traitor for what | may say to you,
may be improved thereby, for know that
/ have not, and believe you have not,
heard many Of them say anything about
the renegades and traitors that live in an
other part of the country. Applause I
If, when they get their hands in, they
should tire of abusing and denouncing
me and others who have been Democrats
all our lives, but who have been unable
to swallow the platform lately erected at
Chicago, and will turn their attention for
q short time to JEFF Davis and his fellow
rebels, / think We will have accomplished
something in the interest of our common
cause. Andif any one of them, whether
be be public speaker or public writer,
should be bold enough or patriot enough
to speak out against the enemies of our
country, think that Barnum will be "a
bic to make fortune by transporting him
around the country as kind of curiosity.
Laughter and applause.


Now, my fellow-citizens, have said
that what little | may say to you tonight
will not differ in its political character
from anything | have ever said before the
people Of my native State. am not here
tonight as the partisan of any man, orthe
advocate of any party. am here in no
such capacity. / have for two, three, or
four years past earnestly desired to stand
by the Democratic party, and while it was
possible, have done so to the best of my
Judgment and ability. l am not here to
denounce that party nor any of my friends
who differ with me on the present issue,
but / am here because | believe that the
best men of thatparty, and the best men of
all parties, are called upon by the condition
of our country, by the exigencies of the
times, and the probability of the over
throw of civil and religious liberty in this
land and throughout all the nations of the
earth, to rise above party and to stand by
the country, the country's cause, aud the
countrys hag. [Cheers.] l have always