Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-08-14
WAR MEETING AT WASHINGTON
- 90. Pse.iae... Lis.eol...
ne Takes the RespoHsibili,y.


Washington Dispatch to the n. Y. World
WAsHNGpoN, August - The immense
meeting at the east front of the capitol this
afternoon was preceded by the ringing of bells,
the firing of cannon, and music from the ma
rins band. The poTtico and platform were oc-
| cupied by many ladies, and military, civil and
naval officers Of distinction.
No ruler Of q nation was ever received with
more enthusiasm than President Lincoln when
he took the platform this afternoon. The multi
tude swayed with expectation. Thousands
looked to him as an oracle. They were burn
ing for one determined sentence, one significant
word, one glowing pledge Of leadership. All
felt that at this JunctuTe such An utteranee
would ring through the land and-be worth ten
times ten thousand men. Ar honest disap-
pointmsnt thon fell like rain upon the people
when Mr.. Lincoln, after taking the responsible
ty of Gen. McClellan's campaign, positively re-
fused to utter a syllable more. The historic
words remained unspOken. Congressman, gov
ernoTs, aud the general throng shared and mani
tested a genuine regret; nor was the sentiment
confined to any party or clique.
TIE PRESIDENTS SPEECH.
Three cheers were given for the President,
and, after the band had played Hail to the
Chief the Pre- ident, IN response to impatient
calls, sdysnced to the front Of the platform and
spoke as follows
FELLOW CITIZENS 1 believe there is no pre-
cedent for my appearing before you on this oc-
casion, applause but it is also true that there
is a precedent for you being here yourselves
applause and laughter and / offer, in justi-
tcstiOn of myself and OF you, that, upon exam
%ination, l have found nothing IN the Constiu-
ton against it. Renewed applause. I, how
ever, have an impression that there are younger
gentlemen ryhp will antarfain wCu hotter
Voices, No, nO-none can do better than
yoursef-gO on and better address your
understanding than 1 will or could, and there
fore 1 propose but to detsin You a moment
longer. [Cries-" Go on Tar and feather the
rebels :" IAN a very little inclined on any
occasion TO say anything unless l nope to pro-
duce some good By it. IA voice-'You can
DO that 60 on."l The only thing | think of
Just now not likely to be better said by some
one else. is a matter in which we have heard
some other persons blamed for what l did my
self. Voices" What is it There has been
3 very wide spread attempt 10 have q quarrel
between Gen. Mcclellan and the Secretary of
War. Now, l occupy a position that enables
me to believe, at least, that these two gentle
men are not nearly so deep in the quarrel as
some p%resuming to be their friends. Cries of
90 Good" Gen. McClellan's attitude is such
that, IN the very selishness of his nature, he
CAIlEOL Duo WISH ~ Us SUCCESSFUL HLlQ 1 AOp6 u8
viii, and the Secretary Of War is precisely in
the sans situation.
If the military commander in the field cannot
be successful, not only the Secretary OF War,
but myself, for the time being the master of them
both, cannot be but failures. Laughter and
applause. 1 know General Nc CIellan wishes
to be successful, and | know he does not wish
it more than the Secretary of War for him, and
beth Of them together no more than l wish il.
I Applause and cries of - Good" Sometimes
we have a dispute how many men Gen. AcClel-
Ian has had, and those who would dispsrage
say he has had a very large number, and
those who would dispsrsge the Secretary Of War
insist that Gen. Mcclellan has had a very small
number. The basis for this is, there is always
a wide difference, and on this occasion perhaps
3 wider one, between the grand total on Gen
McCIellan's rolls and the men actually tit for
duty, and those who would disparage him talk
Of the grand total on paper, and those who
iisparage the Secretary Of War talk of those at
present fit for duty. Gen. Mcclellan has some
lines asked for things that the Secretary of
did not give him. Gen Mcclellan is not
% blame for asking for what he wanted and
needed, and the Secretary Of War IS not to
for not giving when he had none TO {
1--WE. Applause, laughter, and cries of Good"
I say here, so far as l know the Secretary
# War has withheld no one thing at any time in
ny power TO give him. Wild applause. and 3
'cice, Give him enough now" have no
against him. / believe ne is a brave q
nd able man, [appiauss, and I stand here, as
requires me to do, TO take upon myself
What has been charged upon the Secretary Of I
as Withholding from him. 1 have talked {
lnger than l expected to, cries Of No, no, 90 I
u, snd now I avail myself Of my privilege
saying no more. !