Year: 1864

people have no faith IN this adminlstra
tion. -HI


While those in power, without remOrse
sacrifice the blood and treasure of our peo
pie, they viii not give up their own pas
sions for the public good. This Union
not held asunder by military ambition. !
our political troubles could be referred t
the peaceful arbitrament of the contendinj
armies in the field, our Union would b
restored, the rights of States would b
guaranteed, the sacredness of homes AM
| persons be again respected, and an insultet
/ Judiciary would again administer. tn
| laws of the land. Let not the ruin o
our country be charged to our soldiers. |
is not due to their teaching or their fanati
cisms. In my constant and official inter
course with them have never heard uttereC
one sentiment of hatred toward the people,
of the South. Beyond all men, they value
the blessings of Peace and the virtues o.
mercy, of gentleness and of charity, whilt
many who stay at home cry havoc and
demand that no mercy shall be shown. The
bigotry of fanatics and the intrigues OF
placemen have made the bloody pages
Of the history of the past three years.
It was soldier upon whom our Savior be-
slowed his only commentator, and when
he hung upon the cross, when priests and
Pharisees Knocked his sufferings, soldier
alone discovered his divinity, then he
heard him pour forth s prayer for mercy
and forgiveness for the authors Of his SUIT
ferings.


The Administration cannot save
this Union. We can Mr.. Lincoln val
ues many things above the Union-we put
it first of all. He thinks a Proclamation
worth mora than Peaee-Ye think the
blood of our people more precious than the
edicts of the President There are no
hindrances in our pathway to Union and
to Peace. We demand no conditions for the
restoring of our Union. We are shackled
with no hate, no prejudices, no passions.
We wish for fraternal relationship with
the people Of the South. We demand for
them what we demand for ourselves, the
full recognition of their rights as 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 country is divided, they will act. If
they wish for Union, they viii
act with that party which does
now, and always did, love and reverence
that Union. If they wish for peace they
will srt 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 of
persons and the sacredness of their homes,
they will act with those who have stood up
to resist arbitrary arrests, despotic legisla-
ton and the overthrow of the judiciary.
If, upon the other hand, they are willing to
continue the present policy of govern
ment and condition of affairs let them act
with that organization which made the
present condition of our country. And
there are MANY good men who will be led
to do this by their passions and preju-
dices, and our land swarms with placemen
who viii mold upon power and plunder
with deadly grasp. But as for Us, we are re-
solved that the party who have made the
history of our country, since their advent to
power, seem like some unnatural and terri
BILE dream, shall be overthrown. -Four
years ago it had its birth upon this spot,
Let us say by our action that it shall die
here where it was born. We desire Union
and peace. The administration deny US
Union and peace, for they demand con-
ditions and exact price which they know
will prolong the war, and war, unduly pro
longed, becomes disunion. Wise states
manship can now bring this war to close
upon the terms sOlemnly set forth by Gov
eminent at the commencement ofthe con-
test-the political contest in which we are
engaged. We do not seek partisan adEant-
age; we are battling for the rights Of
those who belong TO all political organiza-
tions. We mean that the rights Of speech
shall be. unimpaired, although that right
NAV be used to denounce US
We intend that the rights of conscience
shall be protected, although mistaken view:
of duty may turn the temples of religion
into theatres, for partisan denunciation.-
We mean that home rights and the sacred
ness of the laws shall be respected by thos
in authority, no matter what political view
NAV be held by those who sit beneath theil
roof trees. When the Democratic part!
shall have gained power, we shall not b
less but more tenacious upon these sub
iects. We have forborne much becaus
those now charged with the conduct o
public affairs knew but little about tn
principles of our Government. We wer
unwilling to present an appearance of fac
tious opposition; but when we shall hav
| gained p0ger, that official who sha


violate one principle Of law, one sipgl
right of the humblest man in our Ian


shall be punished by the full rigors of tn
law-it matters not if he sits in the Pre-;
idential chair, or holds humber office III
der our Government.


We have had upon this floor touchin


and significant proof Of the folly of th
| Administration, which has driven from il
support those upon whom it chief
leaned at the outset of the rebellion. The
their hopes. even their own personal safe
ty, were upon the noble mel in the Bordt
States, who, under circumstances ii
most trying, severed family RELATIONSHIP
and ancient associations TO uphol
the flag of our country. Many of thes


men are now memuers of this Convention


They bear, impressed on their countenane'


and manifest in their presence, the hig


and generous purpose which inspir


them: and yet it is rue and great Got


that it should be true, they are stron


with the sense of injustice, and ingratituc


of law, and unworthy men who hayeinsul


ed and ruined them and their families, an


trampled on their rights by vindictiN


Legislation, and through the agency


miserable and dishonOreu subordinates.


Gentle nen, 1 do trust that our procee


ings here will be marked by harmony.


do earnestly believe that we shall be al


mated by the greatness of this Occasio


In all probability the future destiny


your country hangs on our action. Let tt


consideration inspire Us with spirit


harmony.


God our Father bless us now, and let !


personal considerations fill us with a wrol


idea of the great responsibilities that IT


upon US, and give again to our land


union, its peace, and its liberty.


Loud and enthusiastic cheering greet


Governor Seymour as he concluded
speech.


Mr. Guthrie chairman of the Commit