d applause) because I observed in the
newspapers that it was called to express congratulations over the
events which had taken place in Mobile Bay and before Atlanta, and I
thought that I had observed that those events had rather a political
effect. (Renewed laughter.) Therefore I did not see exactly how it
was possible that men should assemble together to rejoice over events
having a political aspect without the meeting and the rejoicing having
a political aspect also. Well, now, gentlemen, I haven't come here
with any design that, so far as I am concerned, it shall have anything
but a political aspect. ("Good" and applause.) These times are too
serious for the acceptance of any suggestion that hard names are not
to be called if hard names are deserved. (Voices--"That is it!") The
question is not whether the meeting shall have a political influence,
but whether it is necessary to the salvation of the country that it
shall have a political influence. (Applause.) Well, gentlemen, I
observed while the person who last occupied the platform was speaking
certain indications, which I thought were a slight deviation from the
much talked-of right of free speech. (Laughter, and a voice--"Hit 'em
again.") Now, then, I am going to read a resolution adopted at
Chicago. I am going to make two propositions in reference to it. I am
then going to ask whether this assembly assents to or rejects those
propositions. If there is any man in this assembly who denies or
doubts those propositions, if I have the consent of the honored
chairman of this meeting to ten minutes of time in which I can engage
the ear of the assembly, I surrender it to that man, that he may have
the opportunity upon this platform to refute, if he can, the
propositions which I lay down. (Applause.) Now the second resolution
of this platform is in these words--

(At this point there was considerable disturbance in the rear of the
hall, created by one individual, and several voices cried out--"Free
speech!" "Out with him!")

Mr. Boutwell continued: He will be more useful to the country if he
remain here. If he goes away there is no chance for his conversion to
the truth: if he remain here he may be saved. (Laughter.) "The vilest
sinner may return, While the lamp holds out to burn." (Renewed laughter
and applause.) I hope gentlemen who favor free speech will listen
attentively to this resolution:

_"Resolved,_ That this convention does explicitly