Year: 1861




Nor was the foresight of the Republi.
can leaders wider than their patriotism
The false prophets of the party promised
their followers that three months should
see the end of all the trouble; and when
war came upon them even then they wan
ted only three months volunteers to end
it, They created and fostered that in.
toAicating self.confdence that was the
cause of our earlier reverses.


They had SO presisten.y abused that
part of the American people that lived
across geographical line, that they had
come at last, to underate and despise them,
and Republican oratory summoned its
hearers, not to stern encounters, but only
to plays and pillago.


When the national flag was struck
down at Charleston, and the rational Cap.
ital was threatened by Secessionism, the
North rose Ike one man. The world saw
with astonishmcnt, the great uprising of
the people Europe prejudged the issue
in our favor yet, as if smitten with blind
ness, tho Republican leaders seemed stri-
wing to waste and dissipate, instead of to
seize and to use, the noble material for
great armies, which was with scarcely any
limit, placed at their disposal The sol.
der who offered himself for tho public
service, found that he must car-wig some
politician before he could be allowed the
privilege to fight or die for his country
Men began to say that the war was to be
made ga Black Republican job


Politicians were put at the head of
troops-politician who thought that to
wear lace and feathers, and to pocket pay,
was the whole duty of the oaicer-feasting
and frolicing and speechmaking took the
place of training and discipline; and
whls the officer spouted and reveled, the
rank and file were robbed of their first
right-th0 right to skillful guidance and
instruction. The reins were nominally
put into the hands of a venerable chief
tain; but every politician, every liable
editor" took q pull at them, till they up
set the coach.


Amid shouts of con to Richmond" the
North, with its tecming population, found
found itself outnumbered at every point of
conflict, and the battle of Bull Run proved
that the Administration had known neither
its own strength nor the enemy's. "Where
then were our legions?" we may well ask
of it. But the battle of Bull Run was not
without its fruits for US. Panic stricken
selfshness, seeking self preservation, light
ed on those who could save it. The dircc.
ton of the army passed into the hands Of
soldiers. A General, born here among US,
restored to their due supremacy the mar
tial virtues that insure success in the war !;
trained and competent officers second his
efforts, scores of imbeciles have been push.
ed out Of service and this good work still
progresses.


, The Democratic party will sustain the
men-the McClellans the Duponts-who
have in charge the honor of our flag on
land and sea. Let, everywhere, the peo-
pie put in as officers men who will not see
the war again become "a party job;" let
the administration of the Government be
such as to attract, not repcl, the doubtful
States. Then the contest may be contin-
ued with success and ended with honor
We may yet see the authors Of our national
! troubles, those twin tomentcrs Of discord
the Aboltionists of the North and the
Sccessonists of the South--reduced again
to the harmless inEigpiicappe in which
Democracy long held them. And if the
event battles these hopes tho Government
that embraces the great rich and populous
States of the North, must sink to no hum
BILE, no degraded place among the nations.
National prosperity is too nearly allied to
dignity to suffer us to stand in the rela-
tion of the vanquished to those who never
can sccedc from geographical connection /;
with whom close relations, warlikc or ami
cable, must continue always.


The Democratic party sought to keep
the peace among the States with honor to
them all but while the war lasts, into
which the aboltionists of the North and
the "precpitatiopists" of the South have
hurried US, let US demand that firm and
wise administration of the Government
shall evoke and honestly apply our mill
tary resources, in which the nations most
famous in arms have not surpassed nor
equalled US,


In conclusion, gentlemen let me say
that am deeply sensible of the honor Of
representing this old city; for our Dis
trict is the oM city that our fathers knew
and loved.


As your representative, l will exercise
the right of free speech, and will strive
to maintain for all, the cherished rights,
the enjoyment of which constitute civil
liberty.


My stay here docs not allow me to ac'
cept the compliment Of public dinner,
to which you do me the honor to invite me,


To see you and other valued friends will
at all times afford the greatest pleasure to
me.


Respectfully and truly your obedien'
servant,


CHARLES j. BIDDLE.


4 KEEN REpLY.=John Wesley. in q