Speech of Hon. John B. Huston, of Clarke

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Excerpt from Speech of Hon. John B. Huston, of Clarke: Delivered in the House of Representatives of Kentucky, February 11, 1863 Mr. Chairman - I propose, as briefly as possible, to express some views upon the subjects under consideration. I am profoundly impressed with the importance and solemnity of the occasion. Dangers beset us on every side. Darkness and gloom are round about us. We anxiously look for light to guide our course. It is incumbent on us to strive to keep passion under the control of reason. Let thought - calm, dispassionate thought - rule the occasion and guide our action. There is danger, from the natural operation of the mind, of running into extremes from a familiar and continued line of thought upon any subject at any time, and a force of will and action is given in one or another direction just as the practice of such familiarity is indulged and continue. And in these times of lawlessness, of open violations of legal restraints, and of acquiescence in, and excuses for, such disorders, the natural tendency is increased in strength, and requires a stern and fixed resistance to avoid its fearful consequences. It becomes us, then, in proper spirit, to rise above all mere party, to look the danger fairly in the face, and keep full high advanced, the standard of loyalty, the standard of our country's interest, and to walk firmly the narrow path of principle and duty, fearless of consequences. If I know myself I intend to pursue this course. And I am gratified to believe that the people have taken the "sober second thought" in regard to the perils that beset us, that they are alarmed into reflection. And when this is fully accomplished good results must follow. It is well for the country's hopes and destiny that we should be aroused, while floating down the current of events, by the roar of the plunging cataract, before it is too late to escape. We may yet leap to the projecting crags, and achieve deliverance, and escape the fatal plunge. I am aware, sir, that a disposition exists to question the loyalty of any one who feels constrained to condemn the principles and policy of the administration of the General Government. This arises from a neglect to distinguish between the Government and its Administration, and from an incorrect perception of the constituents of loyalty. I, sir, am not apprehensive that my loyalty will be questioned. I feel a consciousness that I am above suspicion. The brief history of my humble career is my sufficient vindication. What, sir, is loyalty? About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully, any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.