Year: 1865

Il zen. SIOcum's speech.


Gen. Slocum's speech at Syracuse N. Y,
was frank and lucid expression of his
views uponthe public questions of the day,
eyincing thorough knowledge of thes sub
jects he adyerted to, and sound, practical
sense in his conclusions. We have only
room this morning to republish what re-
fers to his personal relations to the Demo
cratic party. He says:


e am also charged by the same
journal with having sacrificed my reputa-
ton as a public man for the sake of OBJ


tanning a position with my political sop
ponents." During the war which has just
closed | have had but little to do with poll
tics--l have made no political speeches
written no political letters. have found
the responsibilities delvolvihg upon me,
from my position in the army, quite suffi-
cient to occupy my time and attention..
Having now returned to civil life, intend
to support sucll measures as l deem best
calculated to promote the interests of our
country, and the prosperity and happiness
OF our country. find one party united in
the support of such measures-the other
party divided upon them, and in several
States strongly denouncing them-could


hesitate as to my course? Earnestly in
dorsi2g and approving every resolution


L
supposed, in accepting a nomination from
chat Convention, that | was entering the
house of my political friends rather than
that of my opponents" The tornado which
swept slavery from the land. swept with it
every platform adopted by the Republican
party prior to the war. l can call to mind
but one resolution adopted by that party.
before the close of the war, Which has any
bearing on the issues now before the peo-
pie. On the 22d of July, 1861, the repre-
sentatives of that party in Congress assem-
bled, and without dissenting voice de-
clared, "the war is Waged to defend and
maintain the supremacy of the Constitu-
ton, aad to preserve the Union with all the
dignity, equality and rights of the several
States unimpaired." To the principles thus
solemnly declared 1 still adhere, and re-


gret to see large portion of the Republic
can party diverging them. At the time Of
the passage of this resolution there were
many men at the South who had opposed
secession, and who were unwilling to aid
their States in making war upon our Gov
ernment. The resolution was solemn
pledge to that class as to the treatment
they should receive in case their States
should again be brought under con-
troll OF the General Government
1t was a solemn, declaration to eve
ry officer and soldier of the Union ar
mics as to the principles for which they
were contending. 1t was made at period
of gloom and despondency-on the darkest
day ever known in the capital of our coun-
try. The clouds that then hovered over us
have been dispelled. Not an armed foe is
now to be found within our borders. Is it not
humiliating to witness on the part OF a
large portion of the party which has con-
trolled the destiny of our nation for five
years, a disposition to repudiate in the hour
of triumph, solemn pledges made in the
hour of danger? have had the honor of
serving With most of the soldiers presented
by both political parties for the support of
the people at the ensuing election. 1t af-
fords me much pleasure to be able to unite
with ID their political supporters in
bearing evidence as to their high
character as soldiers, and as to their
personal worth and fitness for the posi-
tions for which they have been nomina-
ted, but cannot wish those on the Repub-
lcan ticket success at the polls, for we are
informed by one of the most prominent
leaders of theirparty, that the platform on
which they stand is 'timid and wordy," and
that but for lack of adhesion and discipline
among the Radicals, resolution, would
probably have been adopted VIRTUALLY con-
demning the policy of the President. l do
not think that the triumph of that party
will tend to strengthen the President in his
determination to adhere to the wise meas
ures which has thus far characterized his
administration. On the other hand, the tri-
umph of the Democratic party will be a
clear, unmistakable Endorsement of his pol
icy-an unequivocal declaration on the part
of the people of this great State, in favor Of
1.-The subordination of military to civil rule,
the restoration of the authority of the
Courts and the recognition of the equality
81 Lux tnn