We take from our latest files of Northern papers some intelligence of interest:
A meeting of the Anti-Abolition Society--Bold of Array of toasts — speech of Ex-Governor Seymour, &c.
The birthday of
Thomas Jefferson was celebrated in New York last week by a supper among the admirers of the deceased, who have banded themselves into a society known as the "Anti-Abolition Society." The object of the association, as its name indicates, is direct hostility and opposition to the present Administration, accompanied by a resolve to do everything in its power to elect a Democratic
President for the next term.
After the usual display of fine dishes, delicate and savory to the palates of epicures.
The
Chairman announced that the Hon.
John McKeon could not attend, but read a letter explaining the reason of his absence.
The following is a list of the regular toasts of the evening in the order in which they came:
- 1.
The memory of Thomas Jefferson — Standing, in silence.
- 2. The Constitution of the United States--Interpreted by the resolutions of 1798 and '99; sustained by the State Rights Democracy for sixty years; overthrown by Abolitionism since 1860.
- 3.
The supremacy of the civil power over the military.
Let us hope that the repeated violation of this principle with impunity by Abraham Lincoln and his minions has been but a temporary ascendancy of brute force, over freedom of opinion among a people who were born free.
- 4. The Dred Scott decision — The enunciation of the great truth that this is a white man's government.
Pulsied be the arm that tries to destroy it.
- 5.
The Nomince of the Chicago Convention--May he be a Democrat--a man who will faithfully represent and sustain the great American principle of self-government in opposition to the European coercive principle of despotism.
- 6. The Presidential contest of 1864--A fair vote or a free fight.
- 7. New Jersey--The star that never sets.
She never broke the bargains of the Constitution, which broken on one side, were said by Webster to be broken on all sides.
- 8. New York — Overrun, conquered and subjugated by New Englandism.
Let us redeem her.
- 9.
Our Government as it should be — Not a Government such as we now have, making the rich richer, and the poor poorer; but one which would extend equal protection, equal rights and equal laws to both rich and poor.
- 10. Forts Lafayette, Warren and McHenry--The shame of America.
- 11. The Peace Clergy.
- 12. The Peace Press.
- 13. The Peace Ladies.
Volunteer toasts.
Freedom of Speech in Congress — May it be Long before it is again fettered.
The States--May they remain as distinct as the planets in the Heavens, and again become as harmonious in their orbits.
Hen.
Clement L. Vallandigham — The Champion of Liberty, the Victim of Despotism.
Ex-Governor Seymour, of
Connecticut, on being presented, said that he was unequal to the occasion — not from the want of will or ability, but from fear that he should not be able to fulfill the expectations entertained of him. He wished that
Mr. McKeon had been present, so that he might follow rather than precede him. ["No, no."] In the darkest days of the country they were hoping and would hope for better times; they would, as he believed, soon redeem the country from the arbitrary rule that now oppresses everything in it. He had always honored his flag; but he would be excused for saying that it was to him no longer the same flag until it shall become the symbol of peace to all who bear the
American name.
[Applause.] He called attention to the first month of the present Administration, when men first began to talk of war. They then opposed the idea of going to war with those whose blood ran in our own veins.--The fathers of the
Constitution established the fact that the rights of States can never be put down by armed force.
Until the present desolating war be stopped, he said, there can be nothing like constitutional freedom.
In the face of such important circumstances, it was proper that the memory of
Thomas Jefferson should be remembered and consecrated.
[Applause.] He spoke of
Mayor Gunther as a peace man, and recited the most prominent complaints of the
American revolutionists against George III.
drawing a parallel between the Revolutionary war and our civil contest.
He went into American history at great length to elucidate and explain the intellect, the power, and the patriotism of
Jefferson.
He expressed himself more in favor of peaceful counsels than in the flaming sword.
An honorable peace, he believed, was far better than a desolating war.
England lost the colonies because the
King denied to the people the rights guaranteed to them by the great British constitution, and so the
North are losing and destroying the unity of the country by neglecting to observe the compact which the fathers of the
Republic had bequeathed unto us. If ever we hope to re-establish the
Union, we must lay aside the sword and take up the olive branch.-- [Applause.] There was no other hope for the country; no other way in which we can from
‘ This nettle danger
Pluck the flower safety.
’
He regarded the peace proposition as the only one that can restore harmony, and he was glad that this idea was the prominent one pervading the minds of the majority of the
American people.--[Applause.] The war now being waged has not become general because of the long suffering of the
American people.
Every day of the continuance of this war brings us nearer to a despotism.
The training of the
American people requires freedom of speech, of religion, and of the press, and by the blessing of God they shall have it. [Loud applause.]
Mr. Van Loon was the next speaker.
He was called upon and at great length responded to the toast referring to the
Dred Scott decision.
His speech was a very effective one to judge from the loud applause with which it was received.
After some other toasts were disposed of,
Mr. Chauncey C. Burr made some eloquent remarks in response to the fifth toast.
Alluding to a remark of
Cicero, he said that men should not only speak the truth, but the whole truth.
The country, according to all human eyes, is now in the throes of death, and the fitting inscription on its tomb must be, "Died by the cowardice of the Democratic party." [Applause.] The Republican party had been us true to its revolutionary principles as the Democratic party had been false to its principles.
During the last three abominable years they have every day been abandoning the doctrines on which that party was founded.
He then spoke of the coming Chicago Convention, and expressed a doubt whether it would be a Democratic assemblage or something else.
[Laughter.] What is the meaning of the word conservative?
Merely a mitigated abolitionist, or a whole coward.
There are but two forces in the contest — absolutism, and the right of the people to rule.
There was no difference between peaceful self-government and coercion; no alternative between Lincolnism and distinct Government.
Though the Democratic party may change, democracy itself can no more change than the principles of morality can be altered.
The leaders may be frightened off, but the principle itself remains immutable as at the moment when the country was plunged into a vortex of fratricidal blood.
[Applause.] He would undertake to say that the present Administration was a total depravity.
[Cheers.]
Mr. Lincoln had no right to use the army and navy to compel or force any unwilling State into the
Union, any more than to force an unwilling State out of it.
Mr. Burr's remarks were very sharp and caustic, and frequently elicited rounds of applause.
The effect of Grant's failure in the coming campaign.
The New York
Herald hasn't yet mustered the courage to say that
Grant's failure in
Virginia will end the war, but it is very clear that that opinion prevails in Yankeedom.
It draws a pleasing picture of where the "
United States" would be placed in the eyes of foreign nations if it should win the fight, and with it the war, but says:
‘
But if
Grant should fall it is hardly possible to say what results may not follow.
We would be loth to recognize even such a defeat as the death blow of our cause.
It is certain that the staunch qualities of our people, taken as a whole, would lead them to rally for even a greater struggle still.
But it is also certain that such a defeat would strengthen immensely the factions that exist in our midst, and political anarchy would blunt the edge of all our future attempts.
And thus it is at least probable that this defeat might lead to events that would count us out, for a hundred years, from the number of great nations.
One great disruption would lead to lesser ones; we would be broken up into a community of petty and quarrelsome States, and the great experiment of free government that we have so magnificently tried for eighty years would be settled against the people.
We would die the youngest of great republics, and our fall would strengthen the hands of despotic power everywhere.
’
It thus appears that the struggle upon which we are now about to enter is a momentous one, not only to ourselves but to the world at large.
Its result either way will affect for good or evil the future history of the human race.
It is as distinct a turning point in human history as were the battles of
Marathon, of
Tours, of Pultowa, or
Waterloo.
At
Marathon the possession of
Europe was decided against the despot who grasped all
Asia.
At
Tours it was determined whether Mohammedanism or Christianity should prevail in
Europe.
Pultowa brought
Russia into the council of
European nations, and necessitated a new balance of power; and Waterico decided the possession of
Europe against the people and in favor of the little coterie of kings that constituted the
Holy Alliance.
Our coming battle is to decide issues as great as any of these, since it is to determine whether the great republic of modern times shall stand or fall — determine the existence of a Government destined to exert a greater influence on the progress of the human race than any other known to history.
The responsibilities of the man who commands our armies in this great crisis are tremendous, and the reward of his success will be the greatest within the gift of the people.
A Cry of Patriotic Anguish — the people must Lend Mr. Chase a Dollar or two or he will Break.
The New York
Bank Note Reporter, which is fully in the interests of
Lincoln,
Chase, and so forth, says of
Chase and his present efforts on the gold question:
He appeals afresh to the people in this the most trying military and financial period of the rebellion, to come forward with heart and money.
He is reducing the volume of currency gradually, and will continue to do so. If the stock and gold gamblers shall again attempt the game they played last week, he will bring the whole power of the
Government, and its whole means, both here and abroad, to checkmate them.
The
Secretary of the Treasury relies upon the people for the ways and means; upon the army for victories, and upon Congress for adequate taxation.
The people will come to his help with every dollar that can be appropriated.
This is their true interest; it is their true safety.
The armies will now do their part — there is no alternative but victory.
Congress will do its duty — it dare not faiter.
To those capitalists who complain that
Mr. Chase ought to pay a higher rate of interest, we say, pointedly, that a 5 per cent obligation against the
American people is better than a bond at any higher rate of interest.
For why?
Your money right cously invested, free from extortion, generously invested for your country's cause, is, and will be through all time, valid.
But grind your country — grind the
American people in their time of distress and want — take Shylock's bond — and it will take more than the interest you get over 5 per cent to defend your claims against the political tribunals that will adjudge your bonds.
Well and wise would it be for you to come forward with that spirit that inspires the people, and for once, for this emergency, lay aside the spirit that governs the usurer.
Your property, your money, your all is at stake.
You are in a miserable minority at the ballot boxes.
Better either come to the standard of equity and right, or
bag what gold you can and leave this hemisphere.
The Best blood of New York!!
The New York
Herald has the following paragraph about a Sanitary Fair theatrical exhibition.
The announcement of the intended production of Cinderella, or the Glass slipper, at Nible's Garden on Saturday afternoon, with the
dramatis persons represented entirely by children, has caused quite a sensation among the young talks, and the indications are that the capacity of the theatre will not be large enough to accommodate all who will desire to attend.
We refrain from divulging the details of this novelty, as it would blunt the appetite of the public were everything to be told too soon.
It is sufficient to state that among the actors and actresses will be some of the
best blood in Gotham.
A son of the
French Consul General and a
son of Maj Gen Fremont will be in the cast.
Dodworth is to do the music.
This will not be the most insignificant means of swelling the
Sanitary Fair fund.
Lincoln Fails to make a New State out of Tennessee.
Lincoln has failed to get a new State out of
Tennessee.
He seems to have been out-manœuvred.
A letter dated at
Knoxville, on the 17th ult., gives the following account of the failure:
The Knoxville-Greenville Convention, of which so much has been said and written, has met and adjourned.
Why it was known as the
Knoxville-Greenville Convention was because, in the fall of 1861, a large number of the prominent men of
East Tennessee met at
Greenville, and drew up papers memorializing the Legislature to permit the separation of
East Tennessee.
This thing that body would not do. The loyal people, a few months ago, determined upon a resuscitation of the
Greenville Convention, and appointed as the time of meeting the 12th inst.
Until within a month past the masses of the people of this section, and the prominent men beside, have been strongly in favor of separation from the disloyal portions of the
State known as
Middle and
West Tennessee.
As time rolled on, however, separation became a critical subject, and a certain clique, known to be in opposition to the popular measures of the day, including a
Brigadier General, turned from a position in opposition to separation and became the authors of expressions favorable thereto.
During this time, however, through the solicitations of the
Union men of
Middle and
East Tennessee, Parson
Brownlow, of the
Whig, and
James Hood, of the
Chattanooga Gazette, took down their banners for separation, and made the fact known to their readers that, much as separation was desired, the present was an inauspicious time to urge such a proceeding.
Many of the prominent men of this county, who had all along been in favor of separation, advised their friends to favor a postponement of the matter to an indefinite time.
The suffering people of this country are too loyal to wander from the circumspect path in which they have hitherto walked.
It became well known all over
East Tennessee, or that portion of it rid of rebel troops, that
Governor Johnson had declared that the separation of
East Tennessee at the present time would be an unfortunate event, and it became evident on Monday night that the
Convention would meet and adjourn without taking any steps in the matter at all.
The Convention met on Tuesday, one hundred and sixty-one delegates present.
Very little business was transacted, however, the first day.
Judge Nelson occupied the chair at the opening, being the old
Chairman of the
Greenville Convention.
He resigned in the morning, though, after making an explanatory speech, explanatory from the fact that, during the existence of the rebellion, he had filed off once in favor of
Jeff Davis, arguing that the
President's emancipation proclamation was forever a barrier to the reunion of the States.
He patched it up as well as he could, but it was plain to all upon which side were his preferences.
Before the close of the day two parties had become created, and the report of the Business Committee settled it that there was some fighting to take place, as they reported two sets of resolutions — the majority report being extremely queer, as it forgave all traitors; forgave all those murderers and thugs of
East Tennessee who had caused the deaths of hundreds of the loyal men of this section.
The minority report, however, recommended the immediate calling of a State Convention, and declared themselves in favor of the renomination of
Mr. Lincoln and of emancipation, the system of which should be decided by a State Convention.
Governor Johnston, Parson
Brownlow,
L. B. Houck,
Daniel Treubitt and
James Hood have used up the week and the
Convention in speeches, favoring immediate emancipation, calling for a State Convention, and endorsing the Administration.
Governor Johnson has made seven great speeches since he left
Nashville.
Two
Brigadier Generals of
Tennessee expressed themselves in favor of the resolutions forgiving all traitors.--They were bitterly denounced by Parson
Brownlow.
Governor Johnson's speeches were all great efforts.
In one speech he said that slavery was dead, and it was judicious to clean out slavery and treason at the same time, the latter could not exist without the former.
He will make a grand speech at a mass meeting to be held to-morrow night.
