and not only that, they are advocating also the emancipation of the slaves so enrolled in the army. Is not this sufficient to silence all Democratic opposition to the measure? If the rebels think of arming their slaves to lead them against us, what impropriety in the world should there be in our arming the blacks to lead them against the rebels? Can you tell? And if the rebels promise emancipation to the negroes fighting for them, are we to be less generous to the negroes fighting for us? Are we so unspeakably mean, that we should refuse to give what costs us nothing? Nay, if the rebels promise them their freedom for fighting in the ranks of the slaveholding South, ought we to keep a race in bondage which is willingly fighting in the ranks of the free North? [Loud and continued cheering.]
But your leaders tell you, that this measure has so irritated our southern brethren, that reconciliation has become impossible unless we abandon it. Emancipation and the arming of negroes irritated the rebels? I doubt it not. You will find generally, that that irritates them most, which hurts them most. [Great applause.] Look at our military and naval leaders. Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, and Farragut have irritated the rebels very severely, for they have hurt them very severely. [Great cheering.] You have chosen as year candidate for the Presidency a General whose nomination does not irritate the rebels at all, probably for the reason that the General never hurt them at all. [Explosion of laughter and cheers.] Would it not be wise to go on irritating the rebellion by hurting it? Who knows—we may succeed in bringing about its death by excessive irritation. [Repeated laughter and cheers.]
Emancipation and the arming of negroes—the only obstacle in the way of reunion! Can your leaders refrain from blushing when they utter it? Or is your recollection of
