Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 2.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[151] when the principles of the Constitution and the law defining treason would be maintained. We have told them that the time would come when the judiciary of the Government would be sustained in a manner that it could define what was treason under the Constitution and the law made in conformity with it, and that when defined, they would ascertain who were the traitors, and who it was that would stretch the hemp they had prepared for us. (Applause.)

I know that in reference to myself and others, rewards have been offered, and it has been said that warrants have been issued for our arrest. Let me say to you here to-day, that I am no fugitive, especially no fugitive from justice. (Laughter.) If I were a fugitive, I would be a fugitive from tyranny — a fugitive from the reign of terror. But, thank God, the county in which I live, and that division of the State from which I hail, will record a vote of 25,000 against the secession ordinance. The county in which I live gave a majority of 2,007 against this odious, diabolical, nefarious, hell-born and hell-bound doctrine.

The speaker continued in a strain similar to the above for about fifteen minutes longer. He made many humorous allusions to the “bravery” of the secession soldiery, and wound up with a heart-stirring appeal for the preservation of the Union.