6lobe.
WM. LEWIS, Editor and Proprietoi
TrACIIS.-" TOE Gt.ons" Ss published take a week nt
$1.50 a year-75 cents for air months-50 Cents for
three months-4n advance.
HUNTINGDON, PA
Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 20, 1861
DEMOCRATIC
DELEGATE ELECTION
UM
COUNTY CONVENTION.
The Democratic voters of the several
boroughs and townships of Hunting
don county, are requested to meet at
their usual places of holding delegate
elections. on SATURDAY THE 24TH AU
GUST, 1861, and to elect two dele
gates from each district, to represent
the party in a County Convention, to
be held in the Court House in the bor
ough of Huntingdon, on MONDAY THE
26rn AUGUST, at 2 o'clock, P. M. The
object of the Convention will be to ap
point a Committee of fifteen Demo
crats " who are favorable to a vigorous
prosecution of the war, and the course
pursued by the general government in
its efforts to suppress the present re
bellion instituted by the Disunionisls
of the South," to meet a Committee of
like number appointed by the People's
Party, in a Union Conference to be
held at the Court House, on TUESDAY,
AUGUST 27th at 2 o'clock, P. M., for
the purpose of putting in nomination
a Union County Ticket to be voted for
at next General Election.
AEV*4 The election in the several town
ships to be opened at 4 o'clock, P. M.,
and continued open two hours, and in
the boroughs at 73- o'clock and close
at 9.
GEORGE JACKSON,
Chairman
August 19, 1861
"Union Conference
The voters of Huntingdon county,
who have heretofore acted with the
Republican People's Party, through
their Delegate County Convention, ap
pointed a Committee of fifteen to meet
and confer with a Committee of like
number to be appointed by the Demo
cratic party, of Democrats "favorable
to a vigorous prosecution of the war,
and the course pursued by the general
government In its efforts to suppress
the present rebellion instituted by the
disunionists of the South," for the pur
pose of putting in nomination a UN . toN
COUNTY TICKET to be voted for by the
Union men of the county. This prop
osition, coming as it does from the
patriotism of an opposite party, we
know will be met with equal patriot
ism from the Democratic party. Some
few of both, and of all fitctions of par
ties, will refuse to endorse the move
ment, not because the men on the tick
et may not be the best in the county,
but because they themselves are not
on it; and by others who are in sym
pathy with the South. The true Union
Men must guard well against the trick
ing of the old and corrupt politicians
in the one party, and the Day Book
adV - ocates in the other. Neither are
to be trusted in high or low positions
iu this the hour of our country's sever
est trials.
We ask the Democratic voters of
every borough and township to go.to
the places of holding delegate elections,
and to elect the truest patriots, as del- -
egates to the Democratic Convention.
We want to see the same Union
feeling prevail in this county as exists
with all parties in Chester county.—
At a Mass Meeting In West - Chester,
on Wednesday last, of " Breekinridge
Democrats, Douglas Democrats, Amer
icans, and Republicans," the following
preamble and resolutions were unani
mously adopted. We hope they may
receive an attentive perusal :
TILL LOYAL. PLATFORL
The loyal citizens of Chester county, in
Cor7ontion assembled, to deliberate upon the
solemn duties and responsibilities which rest
upon them in this hour of severe trial to the
Republic, laying aside all former party as
sociations, in order to-unite harmonious ac
tion for the defence of a Government found
ed under the guidance Of ' , Almighty God, by
the wisest and purest patriots, after years of
struggle and sacrifice—a Government which,
for three quarters of a century, has afforded
its benign protection not only to those born
on its soil, but to those coming front lands
beyond the sea; a Government which has
never, in the slightest degree, oppressed those
who, in armed rebellion, are seeking its de
struction ; a Government which his for its
object the elevation of humanity, and Which'
is based Mpc;n the immutable principles of
Right and Justice—do resolve and declare—
, First, That the present rebellion is utterly
without cause, and that we seek in vain to
find its parallel for atrocity in the past his
tory of nations.
Second, That the ambitious men, who for
thirty years have been plotting the overthrow
of Democratic institutions, by their own open
avowal are striving to establish an aristocra
cy, by wresting the power from the many
and aoncentrating it in the hands of the few.
Third That, while the nation is struggling
for its very existence, and our free institu
tions are imperilled, there can be but one
path of duty for us all—to sustain the Gov
ernment with men, with money and devoted
hearts, that those who fail to give their sym
pathy and support are but abettors of trea
son, and should be held as recreants to the
first instincts of patriotism,
Fourth. That the war should be prosecu:
fed with the utmost vigor, until our arms are
everywhere triumphant within the limits of
the Union ; and that there should ho no com
promise with traitors until the cause of the
country shall be vindicated, nor until they
have disbanded their forces, arid returned to
their allegiance.
Fifth. That although in this struggle it
may cost vast treasure to sustain, in its orig
inal integrity, a Government securing the
dearest rights of the masses, yet, if it should
now fall, there must necessarily be built up
on its ruins a tyrannical and expensive des
potism, which would exhaust by continued
taxation the wealth and substance of our
people.
Sixth. That the thanks of ilia nation are
eminently due to the brave volunteers who
at heavy sacrifice tendered their services and
left their homes to defend the honor of the
country, and the principles of free govern
ment.
Seventh. That we reecommend the nomi
nation to office of true and able men, with
out reference to their party connections, re
quiring only that they shall be faithful to
the Constitution, to the union of the States,
and the enforcement of the laws of the coun
try.
Eighth, That, as in the formation of a ticket
we should not seek to promote personal in
terests, but only to secure staunch supporters
of the Government, we recommend to the
voters of the several townships to attend the
primary meetings, and to select for delegates
their most judicious citizens, without instruc
tions or pledges, so that, untrammeled, they
may act in such manner as will best promote
the public welfare.
" BREC/CINRIDGE DEMOCRATS."—We
frequently hear men classed politically
as "Breckinridge Democrats." During
the last Presidential campaign there
were men known as "Breckinridge
Democrats," but thousands that were
then honestly for Breck are now as
honestly opposed to him and his teach
ing, and therefore it is ungenerous to
continue classifying them with the
traitor. In the South, some promi
nent men who advocated the election
of Douglas, have since gone over to the
Rebels, and are equally as strenuous
in their opposition to the Government
under President Lincoln as are many
of the Democrats North who advoca
ted time election of Breckinridge. Time
past should be forgotten. Men should
Be•known by> the company they now
keep. We know no man as a " Brock
inridge Democrat." But there arc
men in the county calling themselves
Democrats who endorse the sentiments
of Senator Breckinridge, and they must
be known as Jeff Davis traitors. True
men who were "Breckinridge Demo
crats," fight as bravely for our flag,
and are as much to be honored for
their patriotism as any other men who
voted for either of the other candidates.
The only issue now before the country
is, Shall we have a government ? Jeff
Davis' traitors say, no !—and to aid
then• chief they are busy circulating
the Day Book and papers of like char
acter. We call upon the Union men
of the county to watch with a jealous
eye the movements of every man who
endorses the sentiments of the, Day
Book:
THE RIGHT MOVE.—The Grand Jury
of the United States Circuit Court of
New York, on Friday morning last,
presented four newspapers published
in New York, and one in Brooklyn,
as disloyal, and guilty of furnishing
aid and comtbrt to the enemy of our
government. The papers are the Jour
nal of Commerce, t h e :Arms, the Day-Book,
the _Freeman's Journal, and the Brook
lyn Engle. The Jury state in their
presentment that they are aware of
the great liberty of speech and of the
press allowed in a free government,
but they urge that there is neverthe
less a limit:
" If a person in a fortress or an at my were
to preach to the soldiere, submission to the
enemy, he would he treated as an offender.—
Would he be more culpable than the citizen
who, in the midst of the most formidable
conspiracy and rebellion, tells the conspira
tors that they are right, encourages them to
persevere in resistance, and condemns the
efforts of loyal citizens to overcome and pun
ish them, as unholy war?' If Um utter
ance of such language in the streets or through
the press is not a crime, then, there is a great
defect in our laws, or they were not made fur
such an emergency."
The Day-Book is the chief organ
among the treasonable sheets now cir
culated through the North. It de
nounces Gen. McClellan, and every
loyal Democrat, Abolitionists at heart.
It opposes the war as an 'unholy war.'
It calls on Democrats to refuse to
unite with the Republicans in taking
up arms for the protection of Govern
ment property and the defence of
Washington. It denounces the Presi
dent and his Cabinet as traitors and
Abolitionists. It calls on the northern
masses to refuse to sustain the van—
Treason ! If the Day-Book is ncit,
treasonable sheet, then Jeff. Davis is
not a traitor. The Government, and
the loyal people of the North have been,
thus far, slow in the punishment of trai
tors North and South. But wehave rea
son to believe that very soon the laws
will be enforced against all who are in
- sympathy with the Rebels. The Day
' Book men in this county will not escape
their just reward. If they will persist
in giving the enemy aid and comfort
by circulating the Day-Book, they will
have nobody to blame but themselves
when they aro called upon to answer
the charge of treason.
The people of the North should re
'member, that the more those in rebel
lion against the Government are en
couraged, the more expensive, and the
longer will the war continue. The
rebellion must and will be put down,
at any cost of life and treasure, and
the sooner the North presents a united
front, the sooner' will the rebels be
compelled to respeet.our government
and peace restored. One southern
sympathizer in the North can do the
Government more harm than a thous
and traitors in a rebel State, Which
• makes it the more important that trai
tors at home should be severely dealt
with.
- The Provost Guard of Wash
,ington havti undertaken to execute the
act of Congress prohibiting the sale of
liquor to soldiers. When it is proved
that a person violated the law,
they
enter his shop - and destroy. all liquor
found there, and band the proprietor
over to the City Marshal,
Se - Let every mechanic and work
ingman bear in mind, as he prepares
for the battle struggle as a soldier for
the Union, that the destruction of this
government is the death of popular
liberty ; that the triumph of secession
is the triumph of those who have pro
claimed again and again, even in our
own Northern cities, that white work
ingmen—all who are termed "hire
lings"—are no better than Southern
slaves who really hold this opinion,
and declare their intention to establish
agovernment—an oligarchy, a military
despotism, a monarchy, or an aristoc
racy in some form—where the whole
industrial class—producers and "hire
lings" of all sorts—shall be "kept in
their place," as the phrase is. We are
certain that their "place" is the high
est that intelligent manhood can aspire
to—let us hold it, by strong arms and
good weapons, forever.
P,- There is a class of men in the
Northern States who are eternally
preaching " compromise," " peace,"
" high taxes," &c. The time was when
we were willing to talk compromise,
but that time is not now. As long as
the Rebels threaten and are in arms
against the Government, we shall urge
upon the true friends of the Union a
vigorous prosecution of the war as the
surest and most honorable course to
pursue to bring the Rebels to their
senses and the war to it close. Those
who preach peace while the Rebels are
threatening the destruction of our
Capitol aro guilty of little less than
giving the Rebels aid and comtbrt di
rect. When the Rebels lay down their
arms and ask for peace it will be time
enough for Union men to talk of coin
promise and peace.
We understand that four Day
Book delegates were in town on last
Wednesday from Petersburg and West
towns':ip. We have not learned what
brought them here—certainly not to
take seats in either a Democratic or a
People's Party Convention. Perhaps
they have been employed by their
Southern brethren to net as spies, if so
we advise them to be careful what
company they get into. We have
their names and will keep a close watch
on their move:muds.
MeC.IBE'S ZOTJAVE COMPANY.—This
company is quartered in 3d Batallion
28 Regiment, at Camp Coleman, near
Philadelphia. Any one who may want
to join the company can have an op•
portnnity by reporting himself to Lieut.
J. A. Moore, at the Exchange Hotel, on
Thursday 22d inst., ready to leave fur
Philadelphia at 10 P. M. Lieut. Moore
has a sample of the company unifin•m,
and a sample of arms. (the Enfield Rifle
with sword bayonet,) with him. A
few men are wanted.
AN IMPORTANT CAPTURE.—On Tues
day last, Thos. S. Serrill, a violent Se
cessionist from New Orleans, was ar
rested on the steamer Persia, at New
York, on his arrival from I;urohe.—
Ile in his possession two hundred
thousand dollars which Serrill said
was e. loan for the Confederate States.
Tux JACKSON GUAIIDS.-ThiS com
pany. J. Blanchard Miles, Captain, ar
rived in town yesterday afternoon.
The company is made up of men prin
cipally from Jackson and Barree town
ships. It is as able-bodied and as fine
a company us has left for the war from
any county. The company was fur
nished with a dinner and a supper at
the Court House by our citizens. The
company left for Harrisburg last night.
We shall publish in our next is
sue, the patriotic speech of Hon. Jo
seph Holt, of Kentucky, to the Kea
tucky troops at Camp "Joe Holt," In
diana.
2E5-Rev. G. M. Spratt, agent of the
Pa. Baptist Education Society, will
preach in the Babtist Church, on Wed
nesday evening next (21st,) at 'N
o'clock.
.C^ The People of Louisville,
on the 17th inst., held a peace meeting,
at which they resolved that while they
desired to be true to the Union, they
also were anxious to be at peace with
their sister States; and that a dissolu
tion, instead of being a remedy for any
evil, would prove a source of the most
serious•danger to the liberty of the
people. The meeting was disturbed
by a mob of secessionists, who pro
claimed that they would accept of no
peace hut that which recognized sla
very anal the southern confederacy.
Maryland Union State Convention
e
At Baltimore, on the 15th, the Union
State Contention met, and after organ
izing, by appointing Win. H. Collins
President, 'passed a series of strong "Un
ion resolutions, among which was the
following :
Resolved, That all Union men throughout
this State, without regard to former political
connections, who are in favor of the Consti
tution of the United States and the Union of
all the States there under as the grand pal
ladium of our rights and liberty, to whose
promotion and perpetuation all political ques
tions should be held in strict subordination,
are cordially invited to co-oposate with us in
our earnest efforts to elect the nominees of
the Convention for Governor and State Comp
troller, and also for the election of the Union
candidates for the house of Delegates and'
State Senate, and the other Union nominees
hereafter to he selected, in, the counties and
the city of 'Baltimore,
Augustus G. Bradford was then nom
inated for Governor on the first ballet
Mr. Nana was thou nominated for
State Controller. Some routine busi
ness was then gone through, with, and
the Convention adjourned amid hearty
enthusiasm, „
The Latest News.
THE BATTLE AT SPRINGFIELD, MO
ROLLA, Mo., August 13—The follow
ing additional account of the battle at
Springfield is furnished by an eye wit
ness, who left Springfield on Sunday
morning, and came through to this
place on horseback.
Our army marched out of Spring
field on Friday evening, only 5 500
strong, the Home — Guards remaining
in Springfield.
Our threes slept on the prairie a por
tion of the night, and at about sunrise
on Saturday morning (hove in the out
posts of the enemy, and soon after the
attack became general.
' The attack was made in two col
umns by Genls. Lyon and Sturgis.
General Siegel leadinga flanking force
of about one thousand men and four
guns on the north of the enemy's camp.
The fight raged from sunrise until
One or two o'clock in the afternoon.
The rebels, in overwhelming. force,
charged on Captain Totten's battery
three distinct times, but were repulsed
with great slaughter.
General Lyon fell early in the day.
Re had been previously wounded in
the leg, and bad a horse shot from un
der him.
The colonel of one of the Kansas reg
iments having become disabled, the
boys cried out :
•General, you come and lead us on !"
Ile did so, and at once put himself
in front; and while cheering the men
on to the charge, received a bullet in
the left breast, and fell from his horse.
He was asked if he was hurt, and re
plied, "No not much," but in a few
moments afterwards he expired with
out a struggle. _
Cfeneval Siegel had a very severe
struggle, and lost three ot• his four•
guns. His ettrtillery horses were shpt
in their harness, and the
.pieces disa
bled. He endeavored to haul them off
with a number of prisoners he had ta
ken, but was finally compelled to aban
don them, first, however, spiking the
gnus and disabling the carriages. At
about l o'clock the enemy seemed to
be in great disorder and retreating.
Their train of baggage wagons were
afire.
Our forces were too much fatigued
and cut up to pursue, so the battle may
be considered a draw.
THE KILLED AND WOUNDED
The following is a partial list of the
killed and wounded on our side :
Captain Gratz, of the First Missouri
was killed.
General Sweeny wits. wounded in the
leg.
Colonel Mitchell, of the Kanbas vol
unteers, seriously wounded.
Captain Plummer of the regulars,
wounded.
Capt.:lllller, Missouri First. serious
ly wounded.
Captain Carehder was wounded in
the shoulder, but rode back on a horse
from the battle-field to Springfield.
Captain Burke was slightly wound
ed.
Captain Detzter - was mounded in the
left leg, the ball passing through.
Captain MeFarlan, of the Kansas
First Regiment, was wounded, suppo
sed mortally, his skull being fractured.
Thu ibllowing lieutenants, belong
ing to the Kansas First Regiment, were
killed :
Lieutenant MC. Agnall, company K.
Lieutenant L. L. J oull, of Capt. Will
ker'!; company.
Lieutenants Duel: an.d MeCanagan,
of' Captain McCook's company.
Lieutenant R. A. Barker was blot
in the left hand.
The Missouri First and lowa First
Regiments suffered the most.
tieneral Price Was not killed.
There were ruiners Qu the field that
Ben licCulloch was killed, bat the reb
els denied it.
On Saturday night Dr. Kaucher and
others of our army went back, with
ambulances, to the battle field, from
Springfield, to see about the killed and
wounded. They found the enemy on
the field, and were considerately trea
ted.
General Lyon's body has been treat
ed with great respect, and was brought
back, with some of the wounded, to
Springfield.
Major Sturgis took command of the
battle-field after the death of General
Lyon.
General Siegel took command after
the battle.
Our loss is variously estimated at
from 150 to 300 killed and several
(hundred ?) wounded.
The enemy's loss is ]laced at 2 000
killed and wounded.
Our boys captured about lOU of the
enemy's horses.
The enemy carried two flags—the
Confederate and the stars and stripes.
- Gen. Siegel marched back to Spring,
field in good order. After perfecting
his arrangements, gathering the bag
gage, blowing up what powder he
could not carry, and destroying other
property which he did not want to fit!!
into the hands of the enemy, he left
Springfield, and on Sunday night en
camped thirty miles this side of that
place, the enemy not pursuing. The
only hostility observed during the day
was the firing of muskets at the rear
guard. Gen. Siegel is confident he
could have held Springfield against the
force they had engaged, but he was
fearful of reinforcements reaching the
enemy from the southwest, and that
his line of. communication to Ilona
would be cut off.
Gen. Lyon . began the attack upon
the receipt of intelligence that the en
emy were expecting reinforcements
from Hardee's column, which was ap
proaching from the southeast.
A portion of the artillery of the en
emy was admirably served. Their in
fantry fire was also very severe.
The Springfield Home Guard were
not in the fight. They, together with
a largo number of citizens, are in Sic
gel's. camp.
It was thought ho would WI back
no further than Lebanon, where rein
forcements would reach him.
LATER
General Siegel's Command
Sr Lours, Aug. .I.4The correspon
dent of the St. Louis Democrat, writing
from Rolla, furbishes the following
items :
Gen. Siegel's command was passed
at the Gasconade river; fifty miles west
of this , place, yesterday (Tuesday)
evening,' where, ho had encamped for
the night. The stage route to Spring
field has been abandoned. and the stock
brought here.
The postmaster of Springfield has
arrived with all the mail matter of
that office.
About twenty-five large wagons with
fixtures from Springfield have reached
here and others are on their way.
. •
Judge Mcßride is reported to be at
Big Tunnel, 25 miles from hero, with
1,5U0 malcontents, but very little at
tention is paid to him or his move
ments.
Sc. Louis Declared under Martial Law
Arrest of the Police Commissioner
Sr. Louts, Aug. 14—The following
proclamation has just boon issued :
Headquarters of Western Dept.,
Sr. Louis Mo., Aug. 14.
1 hereby declare and establhli mar
tial law in the city and county of St.
Louis.
Major J McKinstry, United States
army, is appointed provost martial.
All oi:ders and regulations issued by
him will be respected and obeyed ac
cordingly. J. C. FuEmosT,
Maj. Gen. Commanding.
Major MeKinstry has arrested John
A. Brownlee, president of Police Com
missioners, and appointed Basil Duke
instead.
The laws of the city and State will
be executed without change.
It is reported that General Hardee,
with 15,000 rebels, is marching on Pi
lot Knob, where there is a Federal
force of about 5,000, with eight pieces
of cannon.
Sr Louts, Aug. 14—Provost Mar
shal McKinstry has issued a proclama
tion, ealling upon all good citizens to
obey the rules it has been doomed Ile;
cessary to establish in order to ensure
and preserve the public peace. The
civil law will veinal!) in force and mil
ikary authority only be used when the
civil law proves inadequate to main
tain the public safety.
Any violation of this order will be
followed by prompt punishment, re
gardless of persons or positions.
The Evening Alissourian and Bulletin,
two Secession papers, have been sup
pressed.
From Sandy Hook, Md
13Aurtmons, Aug. 14.—A letter from
Sandy look to-day says that a gen
tleman from Martinsburg, yesterday,
reports small parties of irregular Se
cession cavalry scouting in that sec
tion of the country and daily tiring up
on our pickets and Union fugitives, as
well as paying frequent• visits to the
town. Yesterday a party approached
within two riles of Harper's Ferry,
and fired upon our pickets and re
treated.
Last night, it is reported, a party of
130 rebel cavalry captured three men
of our 2d cavalry who were stationed
on picket, just outside of Harper's Fer-
The camp remains very quiet. All
the troops appear to have perfect con
fidence in General Banks and his staff,
as well as in the brigade officers.
Parties from Winchesterreport that
only 4,000 militia are in rendezvous
there tut• the purpose of being drilled
and disciplined. The same authority
states that there are two regiments of
regulars at Lovett-Iville, only about
eight miles distant.
A Reconnoitering Party at Acquin Creek
Piled Upon.
WASILINGTON, Aug. 1.6.--Yesterday
afternoon, the steamer Resolute was
ordered from A quilt Creek to tilat
thias Point, for the purpose of recon
noitering. Seeing a batteau tilled
with barrels on shore, just below the
point, a boat was sent from the Reso
lute, with six men, to bring off the
battean. Soon as the boat touched
the beach, a roller• of musket balls
WaS opened upon them by a Secession
force, concealed in the woods, killing
three of the men.
Another volley was fired by the
rebels: as they moved their position.—
The Resolute was about seven hundred
yards from the shore, and fired in the
midst of the rebels one shot of canister,
and nine of shrapnel. The boat was
towed from the shore by one of the
crew, named Sanderson, who blipped
into the water for that purpose, and
concealed himself li•onm the enemy.—
The Resolute reached the navy yard
last night, bringing hither the dead
and the wounded man, who has been
sent to the hospital.
'Gen. Seigol's Command
ST. Louis, Aug. I(3.—A messengm
from Gen. Siegel, who arrived early
this morning, reports that Gen. Siegel
wa4' fifteen miles this side of Lebanon,
and expected to reach - Rolla to-day.—
Ire had not been molested on the route.
Gen. Lyon was buried on Colonel
Phelp's farm, near Springfield.
It was reported that the rebels had
entered Springfield anti were encamped
in and around that city. A messenger
also states that the whole number of
killed, wounded, and missing, on the
Federal side does not exceed 400, and
that Ben. McCulloch, and a number of
the rebel officers, were killed.
The Rebels Falling Back to Fairfax
Court House
WAsnixaTos, Aug. 17.—The rebel
troops have nearly all fallen - Iteic to
Fairfax Court House, thus widening
the distance separating the hostile for
ces. The pickets of both armies, how
ever occupy nearly tho same advan
ced positions as heretotbre.
More. Rebel Batteries on the Potomac.
WAsniiinTos, Au.g.l7.—We have an
other arrival &am Aquia Creek to-day.
Yesterday a now battery-concealed in
the woods, opened on the United States
steamer Pocahontas' with rifled can
non. Although she was nearly four
miles otf, the balls wont through the
rigging. splintered the vessel, and came
near killing an officer. It was useless
to return the fire, and the Pocahon
tas speedily got out of the way. Her
officers were entirely unaware of the
existence of the battery, which makes
the fourth a!ready discovered at that
place.
The officers of the • Potomac flotilla
have no doubt that the rebels are erect
ing a battery at Matthias Point.
The decoy boat which led to the sad
affair of last Thursday, was evidently
placed for the purpose of destroying
Lieut. Budd, of the Resolute, whom
the rebels are after because he burned
a house near that place seine time
since.
A Ni w DonoE.—J ell Davis is work
ing up the Secession material in Mary
land to the best possible advantage.—
The Secessionists of that State are in
structed to hold out the olive branch
and proclaim themselves a peace par
ty. It is done to cover up their ulte
rior purposes, and the motive is too
transparent to avoid detection through
out the State.
GREAT SPEECH' OF
HON. ANDY JOHNSTON,
OF TENNESSEE,
Delivered 7:71. the U. S. Senate, July 27
A joint resolution.approving the acts
of the President being presented to
the Senate, Mr. Johnston, of Tennessee,
proceeded to speak at length in favor
of the resolution, as follows:
He said he was unwilling to let the
Senate adjourn without saying some
thiiig of the present state of affairs.—
On our return here we find ourselves
in the midst of a civil war, which seems
to be progressive, with not much hope
of a speedy termination. It seemed to
him that the Government had reached
one of three periods which all Govern
ments.must pass through : First, they
have to pass the ordeal to establish
their independence. This Government
passed that in the war of the Revolu- '
tion. Next, after having obtained
their independence and taken a posi
tion among nations, then they must
maintain themselves against fOrcign
Powers and foes. This Government
passed that ordeal in 1812. There is
another ordeal, when the Government
has to contend against internal foes.—
We are now in the midst of this third
ordeal. The struggle now is whether
the Government: is capable of main
taining its existenu: against traitors
to the Constitution of the country.—
This is the problem now before our
people. He trusted and had a perfect
confidence that the Government would.
successfully- pass this ordeal ; but the
time had arrived when the energies of
the people must be put forth, and there
must be union and concert of action.
It hail been argued that if we procCbd
we will be in great danger of a Dicta-
torship, and that the character and
genius of our Government Avill be
wholly changed. it is argued that
this is an attempt to change the na
ture and institutions of the Govern
ment. [lle referred to Mr. Breckin
ridge's speech.] We agree in an el fort
to change the Government, but ditldr
as to the parties tryin: , to make the
change. it is a straggle now whether
the people shall rule, and have a Gov
ernment based on intelligence, integ
rity and purity of the people. There
is an effort being made, and it is the
result of a long-contemplated plan. to
overthrow the institutions of this Gdv
ernment.
He referred main to Mr. Breckin
ridge's speech, when he said that Wash
ington carried the country through
the Revolution without a suspension of
the hobeas corpus; but President Lin
coin could not carry on the Govern
ment three months without it. He
cited a ease during the war of the Rev
olution, when forty citizens were takeu
and imprisoned eight months, and the
soldiers refused to deliver them tip on
a writ of habeas corpus, and the Legis
lature of Pennsylvania indemnified the
offieers for the suspension of the writ.
He referred to the case of General
Jackson at New Orleans as a prece
dent for establishing martial law in
case of an emergency. Had General
Jackson refused to put the city under
inertial law and thus lost the Govern
ment, he ought to have.lost his head.
The President was obliged to aet as
he did to save the Government, and
this is a very -unpropitious time to
assail the Government, when armed
bands of traitors are actually in the
j field, trying to overthrow it. The
increase of the army and navy was
justified by the great plea of neces
sity. But how does the case stand
now, when we are called on to support
the Government? Who will find Eittlt
with the President thrdoing just what
Congress ought to do? Why not
come forward and support the Govern
ment? No The fact is too apparent
that we had enemies to the Govern
ment here last winter, and in My opin
ion_ we have got enemies of the Gov
eminent here now—thal, we have got
those here who make long pathetic
speeches in favor of compromise. But
the Senator front California, Mr. La
tham, showed conclusively that the
thing the traitors most feared last year
was compromise, and a great effort was
made to get out of Congress before the
compromise could be made.
The argument has been made that
the free States would get the power
and then amend the Constitution so
as to destroy the institution of slavery;
hence the South must not wait till the
fatal day came. Then eight States
withdrew, and we reached a point
when the free States had the majority
and the power to amend the Constitu
tion so as to overthrow the institution'
of slavery. Now what was done then ?
Why, we passed an amendment to the
Constitution that no amendment should
he made to the Constitution that
would give any power to legislate on
the subject of slavery. Talk about
compromise! How can we get any
guarantee Jmore binding than that ?
This was done when the free States
had the power, and it places slavery
completely beyond the control of Con
gress. What more can be asked ?
Why don't the States who talk of com
promise come forward - and accept this
offer ? But no instead of it, they
pass ordinances to violate the Consti
tution and take the States out. What
else did Congress do when the ftee
States had the power? They came
forward and passed three territorial
bills, and none of them had' any sla
very prohibition, and declared that no
law shall be passed by Territorial Legis- -
later° impairing the .rights of private
property. Can therebe anything more
conclusive? Now, take this amendment
to the Constitulion and the Territorial
bills and what else is left of the slavery
question ? Yet time Union must be
broken up! Some are sincere in time
compromise, but others conic - here
simply to make it a pretext, :in the
hope that it will be refused ; and then,
on the-reflisal, these States will be de
clared out of the Union. A Senator j
from Georgia once said. " When trai
tors become numerous treason would
be respectable." Perhaps it is so now;
but God being willing, let them be as
Many as they please, he commended a
war against traitors and treason
against the Government framed by
our fathers, anti wo intend to continue ,
it to the end. [Applause in the gal
leries.] Now we are in the midst of a
civil war; blood has been spilled and
life sacrificed." Who commenced it?
Yet now We are told , that we must
come forward 'and separate the Union,
and make peace with-traitors and reb
els Let them ground arms, obey the
laws. anti acknowledge the Constitu-
Lion. Then, perhaps, we will talk
about compromise. The best compro
mise is the Constitution of tio United
States.
He referred to Mr. Brcekinridge's
speech, that it is desired to change the
Government, and quoted from Alabama
papers that a monarchy was desirable,
and from Mr. 'Russell's letter to_the
London Times. He also quoted , the
Richmond papers, that' said, rather
than submit to the United States, - they
would go under the rule of the amiable
Queen of Great ,Britain. He quoted
from a Memphis paper, which said, if
it be necessary, let Harris be the king,
and the mayor of Memphis dictatOr.-- ;
That state of things, under the law of
terror, now ,reilpfs. Isham G. Harris
king ! King over the State of Ten
nessee, where lie the bones of the im
mortal Jackson! Isham G. Harrb,
king! I know the component parts
that form Isham G. Harris; and be to
be my king—my master 1 Sir, he shall
be my slave first, [Applause in the
galleries.]
The Chair stated that on tiny repe
tition of this indecorum, the galleries
should be instantly cleared.
Mr. Johnson continued, referring to
! the political rights of the South; In
I South Carolina a man must have five
1 . hundred acres and ten negroes to be
eligible to be sent to the lower 'house
of the State Legislature. That would
be a poor place for him to get Isis
rights. He was free to say, if' there,
he would not be eligible, and Ise doubt
ed if exert the Senator from Kentucky
would be eligible. He quoted ;from
various Southern documents, and con
tended that it was plain that the de
sign was to change the character and
nature of the Government, and erect
a great slave empire. The issue is,
now fairly made up, and all those who
fltvor a free Government must stand
by the Constitution. The Senator
from Kentucky is exceedingly semi
tire on the-violation of the Constitu
tion, till it seems that the violation of
the Constitution for the preservation
of' the Government is more horrible
than the violation for its destruction.
In all his argninents against violations
of the Constitution but one word has
been said against those who trampled
the Constitution and law under foot.—
The Senator enumerates various viola
tions of the Constitution, and asks,
why all this? The answer must be
apparent to all., South Carolina sece
ded, and attacked our forts, and fired
on Fort Sumpter? This was a practi
cal act of war, and it is the constitu
tional duty of the President to resist
it; yet the Senator from Missouri (Mr.
Polk) contends that the President
made the war. Who struck the first
blow ? After Fort Sumter had been
surrentiertd, a serenade was given to
Jeff: Davis, at Montgomery, and his
Secretary of State said that 'no one
could tell wlnin the war, this, day com
menced, would end. Then the so-ealled
President of the Southern Confederacy
issued a proclaniation for one hundred
thousand men. And yet great com
plaints arc made here about the Pres
ident of the United States issuing as
proclamation for seventy-five thousand
men, and also great talk about a viola
tion of' law. Then this same Jefferson
Davis issued letters of marque, in vio
-1 lation even of the pseudo Government
over which he presided—gave permis
-1 sion to freebooters everywhere. Then
was the President of the United States
perfectly justified in issuing his procla
mation of blockade to protect the citi
zens of the United States. And this
same Davis, who owed his education
and, everything to the Government of
the United States—who won' all 'the
honor he had under the Government
—now, with unsheathed sword, is in
11111 S against it. If he could seize the
capital he thought that he CJohnson)
would not sleep quiet. What few
nights he had yet remaining. would be
hater protected if he were locatedin,
some, distant position. But he believed
there were others who feel very coin
fortable. In the last Presidential
campaign lie had supported one of the',
distinguished sons oflientucky becatise
he thought he was a Union
Where is his eloquent Voice now for
Union? Would to God he was as
goood a Union man to-day its he
(Johnson) thought he was when ho
supported bins for the Presidency,—
He referred to the outrages committed
en the Union men in East Tennessee,
when the State was delivered over to
secession in defiance of the People.—
' The State Constitution and law was
violated at every step secession takes. •
He demanded that the Government•
should protect. the loyal men in Ten
nessee, and give them arms. - The
rebels had even stopped the passes in'
the - mountains 'that Johnson should
not go back to carry arms to the peo
ple of the State. He wanted to, carry
deliverance to, his brave people, who'.
were down-trodden and oppressed. it
may be too late; we may be overcome;
they may ;trample us under foot and
change our mountains to sepulchres,,-
but they shall never drive us from the
Union; no, never! The people of the
villages and towns love the Govern
ment, but they have no• arms: All'.
they ask is that the- Government 'Will •
give, them the will.
, means; then- they wi
defend themselves. And if finally
conquered, we intend to take the flag
of freedoth and place it on the summit •
of the loftiest and mostimajostic moun
tain, to mark the spot where the God
dess of Liberty lingered and wept for
the last time before she took leave of a
people once prosperous, flee, and happy.
But the cause of freedom must tri
umph. Can the American people give
up the graves of Washington and
Jackson, and let the flag of Disunion
float over. the graves Of those patribts?
1o! The people will rise in' their
might and grandeur and prosecute tho
war; not for subjugation nor against
any of the institutions of
,the. South,
but to maintain the supremacy of the.
Government and the , Constitution.—
This Government cannot, - ,mast not
fail. What though the flagwas sullied
the other day? If necessary, , purifyi
it. It will be bathed in a nation's
blood. The nation must be redeemed,
and the cause must triumph, on winch
rests the hope of freedom and a civil
ized world.
31r. Johnson closed with, an appeal
to the Government to save them from,
the - ruin of the most eolTupt and dire.
ful conspiracy ever seen in the work!, ,
krdi — We yesterday received from
Mrs. James Saxton, two very large
Washington plums, fully as large ,as
Shanglizte eggs. A few dozen would
fill a half bushel.' Mrs.. S. has our
thanks for the handsomesample,