Reminiscences of Sixty Years in Public Affairs, Vol. 2Boutwell, George S. (George Sewall)
History
Reminiscences of Sixty Years in Public Affairs, Vol. 2
Boutwell, George S. (George Sewall)
Boutwell, George S. (George Sewall), 1818-1905; United States -- Politics and government
phrase which shall fully express the enormity of this treason! (Voices
--"Hang them." "String them up.")
The rebels of the South have some cause. They believe in the
institution of slavery,--they have been educated under its influence.
They thought it in peril. They made war with some pretence on their
part for a reason for war, but what excuse, what palliation is there
for those men in the North, who, regardless of liberty, of justice, and
of humanity, ally themselves, openly some and secretly others, with the
enemies of the Republic? Spare, spare, your anathemas, gentlemen. Do
not longer employ the harsh language which you can command in
denunciation of Southern traitors. They of the North who give aid and
comfort to the enemy deserve to monopolize in the application all the
harsh words and phrases of the English language. (Applause.)
Cessation of hostilities--what follows? Dissolution of the Union
inevitably. Will not Jefferson Davis and his associates understand
that when we have ceased to make war, when our armies become
demoralized, public sentiment relaxed, when they have had opportunity
to gather up the materials for prosecuting this contest, that we
cannot renew the contest with any reasonable hope of success.
Therefore, if you abandon this contest now, it is separation--that is
what is meant, and nothing else can follow. But suppose that what
some gentlemen desire could be accomplished,--a reconstruction of the
Union by diplomatic relations inaugurated between this Government and
Jefferson Davis'--suppose the South should return--what follows? When
you have permitted Jefferson Davis and his associates to come back and
take their places in the government of this country, do you not see
that with the help of a small number of representatives from the North
whose services they are sure to command, they will assume the war debt
of the South. When you have assumed that debt, and taken the
obligation to pay it, these men of the South will treat the obligation
lightly, and upon the first pretext will renew secession and will
march straight out of the Union, and you, with your embarrassed
finance, will find yourselves unable to institute military proceedings
for their subjugation. Therefore I say that by the reconstruction
some men desire you render secession certain, bankruptcy throughout
the North certain. The repudiation of the Public Debt is not a matter
of expectation or fear, it is a matter of certainty, if you assent to
any reconstruction of this Union through the instrumentality of
Jefferson Davis and his associates. You must either drive them into
exile or exterminate them. Break down the military power of the
people, and exterminate or exile their leaders, and bring up men at
the South in favor of the Union--there is no other way of security to
yourselves. (Cheers.) Now, then, are you prepared to cease
hostilities with the expectation of negotiations with Jefferson Davis
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account