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![handle is hein.slavery/proceman0001 and id is 1 raw text is:
The Proclamation of Emancipation.
SPEECH
OF
CH ARLES D.DRAKE,
DELIVERED IN
Turners' Hall, St. Louis, January 28, 1863.
FaLLOW-CITIZENs: Never has it been my duty to
address a popular assemblage, under circum-
stances more solemn and momentous than those
in which the American people are now placed.
Were I to give way to expressions of mere per-
sonal feelings, it would be difficult to define the
mingled emotionswith which I have accepted the
invitatioa to appear before you on this occasion.
But I have endeavored to put aside all feeling,
save that which yearns toward my beloved and
suffering country, and every purpose but that
which binds me, in life or in death, to her wel-
fare and honor. I am no politician; I belong to
no party; I have nothing to ask for myself at
the hands of the people, but to be recognized as
one ready to do anything in that holy cause, and
to be anything that is farthest removed from a
traitor, Lapplause] whether such as skulk from
our soil, southward, to help slay their patriot
brothers, or such as hang back under the folds
of the old Flag, that they may, while enjoying
its protection, more surely aid in betraying and
dishonoring it. Between such and me, I thank
God ! there is not, nor ever can be, any more
concord than between fire and water; but dis-
cord, antagonism, and strife, now and evermore,
until the venom of treasen shall cease to poison
their hearts, and to fire their brain with parrici-
dal madness. [Applause.]
Indulge me, however, in a single remark as to
my past position with reference to the subject
which rises in this hour above every other-the
institution of SLAVERY. I desire to preface the
words which I deem it my duty to utter here,
with the reiterated declaration. that I am not,
nor ever have been, a fanatic against Slavery as
a domestic institution, nor have I ever been con-
nected for an hour with any party or association,
which struck at Slavery in that character. I
have always, however, believed Slavery a sore
Tvil and a vast misfortune to our country, Lap-
plause] and was ready to hail its removal by pro-
per means, as one of the greatest blessings which a
kind Providence could vouchsafe us. [Great ap-
plause.] When, therefore, I speak as I shall
to-night of Slavery, let no man say that
I give utterance to any other than the opinions
and convictions, which the horrid scenes of the
last two years have fairly burned into my mind
and heart, against the preconceptions of nearly
thirty years. When I strike at Slavery, it is
because Slavery strikes at my country; and for
that I would STRIKE IT DOWN! (Immense and
prolonged applause.]
During those two years, we have witnessed
the bloody climax of a conspiracy, begun
in the preceding generation, to enthrone Slavery
as a political power in this land, and to extend
its sway over adjacent countries, in the
wild hope that, in the grasp and under the
lead of the indomitable Anglo-Saxon race,
it might become-what it had failed to be-
come in any other hands-a Power in the
earth. It is too late in the day for
the arch-traitor, Jefferson Davis, to delude the
world with such lying words as those quoted in
one of the resolutions reported by your commit-
tee, affirming that he and his armies are not
engaged in a confict for conquest, or for aggran-
dizenent. Does he comprehend the import](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.slavery/proceman0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)