Year: 1864

wisdom Of craftsmanship may not
work out method TO save our coun-
try. Nay, more than this they will
not listen TO a proposal for peace
which does not offer that which this
government has no right to ask.


This administration cannot now save
this Union if it would. 1t has, by its
proclamations, by vindictive legisla-
ton, by displays of hate and passion,
placed obstacles in its own pathway
which it cannot overcome, and has
hampered its own freedom of action
by unconstitutional acts. 1t cannot
be said that the failure of its policy is
due to the want of courage and devo-
ton on the part Of our armies
[Cheers.1 Never in tho worlds his
tory, have soldiers given up their lives
ilore freely than have those Of the
armies which have battled for the flag
of our Union in the southern States.
The world will hold that they have
done all that arms can do; and had
wise craftsmanship secured the fruits
of their victories, to-day there would
have been peace in our land. (Much
applause) But while our soldiers
have desperately struggled to carry
our banner southwark to the Gulf Of
Mexico, even now the government de-
clares that rebellious discomfort has
worked northward to the shores of the
the great lakes. The guaranteed
right of the people to bear arms has
been suspended by the edict of a Gen.
eral up to the very borders of Canada;
so that American servitude is put in
bold contrast with British liberty
This administration thus declares to
tho world it has now no faith in the
people of the States whose votes placed
it in power; and it also admits that
by such edict that these people have
no faith in this administration. While
those in power, without remorse, sac
rifice the blood and treasures of our
people, they will not give up their own
passions for the public good. This
Union is not held asunder by military
ambition. If our political troubles
could be referred to the peaceful arbi-
trament of the contending armies in
the field, our Union would be restor-
ed, the riglsts of States would be gu
aranteed, the sacredness of homes and
persons again respected, and an in
suited Judiciary would again admins
ter the laws of tho land. Let not the
ruin of our country be charged to our
soldiers. 1t is not due to their teach
/ ings or their fanaticism. In my con-
slant official intercourse with them, |
have never heard uttered one senti-
ment of hatred towards the people Of
the South. Beyond all men they
value the blessings of peace and the
virtues of mercy, of Sentleness and of
charity; while many who stay at home
cry havoc and demand that no mercy
shall be shown. The bigotry of fan
atics and the intrigues Of placemen
have made tho bloody pages of the
history of the past three years.


But if the administration cannot
save this Union, we can. Cloud ap-
plause) Mr.. Lincoln values many
things above the Union; we put it first
of all. Continued applause.) He
thinks proclamation worth more
than peace we think the blood of our
people more precious than the edicts
of the President. (Cheers) There
are no hindrances in our pathways to
Union and to peace. We demand no
conditions for tho restoration of our
Union we are shacllled with no
hates, no prejudices, no passions
We wish for fraternal relationships
with the people of the South. ZAP
plause) We demand for them what
we demand for ourselves--the full re-
cognition of the rights of States. We
mean that every star on our nations
banner shall shine with an equal
lustre.


In the coming election men must
decide with which of the two parties,
into which our people are divided,
they will act. If they wish for the
Union they will act with that party
which does now and always did love
and reverence that Union. If they
wish for peace, they will act with
those who sought to avert this war,
and who now seek to restore good
will and harmony among all sections
of our country. If they care for their
rights as persons and the sacredness
of their homes, they will act with
those who have stood up to resist ar
bitrary arrests, despotic Legislation,
and the overthrow Of the Judiciary
loud and continued applause.) If,
upon the other hand, they are willing
to continue the present policy of gov
ernment and condition of affairs, let
them act with that organization which
made tho present condition of our
country. And there are many good
men who will be led to do this by their
passions and prejudices; and our land
swarms with placemen who will hold
upon power and plumber with deadly
grasp. Butas for us, we are resolved that
the party who have made the history OF
our country since their advent TO pow
er seem like some unnatural and ter
rible dream shall be overthrown.- =
(Applause) -Four years ago it had its
birth upon this spot. Let us see by
our action that it shall die here where
it was born. Loud and continued
cheering.)


In the political contest in which we
are now engaged, we do not seek par
tisan advantages. We are battling
for the rights of those who belong tc
all political organizations. We mean
that their rights of speech shall be
unimpaired, although that right may
be used to denounce us. We intend
that rights of conscience shall be pro
tected, although. mistaken views o.
duty may turn the temples of religion