September 11, 1863: Address to the Union State Central Committee

This is an address to the Republican Party of Pennsylvania concerning the election of the Governor of the Commonwealth and the Judge of its Supreme Judicial tribunal. The Republican candidates for 1863 were Andrew G. Curtin and Daniel H. Agnew against the Democratic candidates George W. Woodward and Walter H. Lowrie. The address places the election not simply in its local context, but in the larger national conflict of the civil war.

“It is not vague commonplace but solemn truth to say, that there never was a political context in America whose issues were so important and so vital to the life of the republic as are those involved in the pending canvas. In other days we prudently occupied our minds with questions of State policy, local alike in their interest and their influence; but to-day the citizens of Pennsylvania ascend to the higher and broader ground whereon the nation struggles for its life, and the ballots of free-men were never more weighty with great consequences than those now resting in their hands, containing, as they probably do, not only the question of civil war at our own homes, not only the fate of our Constitution and Union, but the destiny of free government throughout the world.”

The address goes on to explain how the Democratic candidates have publically and privately supported the South’s rebellion.

“The faction in Pennsylvania, wearing the livery of the good old Democratic party to aid rebellion waged in the interest of an aristocracy of slaveholders, thus openly avows its opinions, and in manifold ways, by speech and press, by the secret oaths of a treasonable conspiracy, by appeals to the prejudices of ignorant men, by calumnies against our brave soldiers and sailors, by denial of their rights of suffrage, and by constant misrepresentations of the aims and results of the war, endeavors to attain its purpose of assisting the armed traitors who are striking deadly blows at the heart of the republic.”

The speech concludes by calling on the citizens of Pennsylvania to remain loyal to the federal government, President Lincoln, and the republic.

“Freemen of Pennsylvania: The issue is thus distinctly presented involving the single question of loyalty to the government under which you live, and the triumph of whose arms alone can give you peace, and again open to you the avenues to that almost miraculous prosperity which attracted the wondering gaze of nations.

It only remains for all good men to perfect the local organizations of the friends of the Union, to secure full discussion of the questions in dispute, to bring every loyal vote to the polls, and to use all proper efforts in their power to secure our success. If this is done, Pennsylvania is saved to the Union, and the Union is saved to us and to our posterity.”

Citation: [Republican Party (Pa.). State Central Committee; McVeagh, Wayne], Address of the Union State Central Committee of Pennsylvania. [1863] A 863add