the world, "Ah,
sir, it is easier to die at home." Judge Thurman, where are you at
this time? He goes to Columbus to the State convention, on the 11th
of June of that year, in all the capacities in which I have named
him--as a delegate, as committeeman, and as an orator--and he
spends that whole summer in advocating the election of the man who
taunted us with the words, "Defeat, debt, taxation,
sepulchers--these are your trophies."

In every canvass you know there is a key-note. What was the
key-note of that canvass? Who sounded it? It came over to us from
Canada. On the 15th of July, 1863, Mr. Vallandigham wrote,
accepting the nomination of that convention of Judge Thurman's. He
said, in his letter:

"If this civil war is to terminate only by the subjugation or
submission of the South to force and arms, the infant of to-day
will not live to see the end of it. No; in another way only can it
be brought to a close. Traveling a thousand miles and more, through
nearly half of the Confederate States, and sojourning for a time at
widely different points, I met not one man, woman, or child who was
not resolved to perish, rather than yield to the pressure of arms,
even in the most desperate extremity. And whatever may and must be
the varying fortune of the war, in all of which I recognize the
hand of Providence pointing visibly to the ultimate issue of this
great trial of the States and people of America, they are better
prepared now, every way, to make good their inexorable purpose than
at any period since the beginning of the struggle."

That was the key-note of the campaign. It was the platform of the
candidate in behalf of whom Judge Thurman went through the State of
Ohio--all over the State--in July, August, and September, up to the
night of the 12th of October--making his last speech just
twenty-four hours before the glad news went out to all the world,
over the wires, that the people of Ohio had elected John Brough by
over one hundred thousand majority, in preference to the author of
the sentiment, "Defeat, debt, taxation, sepulchers."

And how true was that sentiment which had been endorsed by the
peace party. I do not question the motives of men in any of my
speeches. I merely ask as to the facts. "Better prepared," said he,
"than ev