36 Let me say farther, that in my judgment the nation is now passing through a very solemn and important crisis of its history. If I had not thouglit so, I shouh] not have devoted so much time, in this place, to the consideration of this subject. The questions upon which the people are soon to vote, are the gravest upon which any people ever did vote. The circumstances are peculiar, and the interests immense. That the public mind should be deeply moved, is not wonderful. The banner of the nation has been steadily waving in military trium])h ; fathers, and sons, and husbands, by thousands and tens of thousands, have gone to the iield of deadly conflict ; braver or l)etter soldiers never trod any soil ; some of the choicest blood of the land has been poured uj^on the national altar ; history contains no example of such a rebellion, and no example of such devotion on the part of the loyal people to the flag of their country ; the recent successes of our arms have made the nation jubilant with hope ; the soldiers are still in the field, and hundreds and thousands are rapidly rushing thither, ready to maintain our cause, and fight for victory to the very death, ready to charge home upon the common foe ; the rebellion is rapidly waning, it is drawing its last gasps, and under the peace-commission of strong hands and heroic hearts it will soon be no more ; and now, O ye sons of men, ye citizens of this great Republic, ye sovereigns of a nation's destiny, will you, in these circumstances, command your Army and your Kavy to pause before this armed treason is absolutely annihilated ? Will you l)y your decision at the ballotbox flank all the men in the field ? This is really the great gist ot the question, as matters have been presented to the public mind. The issue has been clearly and plainly put before the American people. There is no disguise about it. The platforms speak for themselves. Not to vote at such a time, is a crime. Not to vote correctly, is a very great mistake. The question is not what jMrty, or what particular individual shall come into power, but \Y\\2ii2)ri7ici2)les shall come into jDower ; and on this question I feel as deep an interest as I ever felt on any subject in all my life. Let me say once more, that while I have spoken plainly, perhaps ill a way that may seem indiscreet to some ears, I ask no
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