Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-05-23

policy IN regard to a system of internal
improvements. Since that day to the pres
ent time | may say that | have at least
had something to do with every work of
improvement connected with the progress
of this city and State. The first efforts of
my pen were directed in furtherance of
the great policy of internal Improvements
which brought forth our canal system I
next labored for years to secure the erec-
tion of railrerd from Harrisburg to Lam
chester, though laughed at as visionary
boy who talked about carrying cars, wag
ons and freight on rails by steam. | am
reminded here Of an expression made at
one of the meetings, which We held in fa-
vor of that railroad prodject-(for at that
time was in the habit of pursuading my
friends to 60 around the country and con-
vene meetings. by which means I might be
enabled to talk to the people on my favor
| ite theme of the desirabiity Of railroad
communication and its Importance )-one
of the auditors upon this occasion (the
meeting being held at Elizebethtown) was
one known as Abraham Hanly, very in
telligent man, and one of the most active
in that neighborhood. During the course
of my remarks had happened to say, Il
have no doubt, gentlemen, there are many
of you present who will live to see the day
when man can eat his breakfast at Har-
risburg, go to Philadelphia, Gone hundred
miles, } take bis dinner, transact his busi-
ness there, and return home to Harrisburg
in time to go to bed, as usual in the eve
ming" There was a simultaneous rear Of
! laughter from the audianee, which hardly
cleared when the old man very confidently
whispered in my ear. " Simon, am glad
you told them about going to Philadelphia
and back to Harrisburg in one day, be-
cause that will make them take the s1eers,
{ shares but you and 7 h7aoa0 all about
that! Laughter | leave you to judge
gentlemen, whether my prediction was veri-
fed After having proved successful in
my endeavors IN behalf of the railroad from
Harrisburg to Manchester, I became en-
gagged in a prodject to construct a road
from here to Chamhersburg; and again to
Baltimore and then again to Sunoury
the place of my boyhood, and also to Read
ing all of which, am glad to state are
now prosperous and in most successful op-
oration. mention this. gentlemen, not
boastfully, but to show what may be ac-
complisbed by determined will and a
right purpose.
In responding to the sentiment of our
worthy Mayor, my intention, gentlemen,
was simply to speak to you familarly as
friends and neighbors, without referring to
my control of the War Department, over
which | had the honor to preside, but in
view of change recently made against ne
because Of my exercise Of the delegated
power with which l was entrusted, it may
be proper for me to say to you a few words
in relation thereto. | took seat last year
in Mr.. Lincoln's Cabinet against my own
judgement. without consulting my taste for
the position, and, may say, against my
own determination. [ resigned that post,
when thought my mission was ended in
organizing and equipping and supplying,
under the most adverse circum stences a
larger army than has ever been raised at
any period of human history, When I
did except tie place, it was with the per-
feet understanding between Mr. Lincoln
and myself that whenever | thought prop
er to resign l should be privileged to do
SO; and when vacancy occurred in the
appointment to Russia, be offered me the
post, and | was glad to accept it. Why,
gentlemen, toiled in the Department as
no man ever toiied before have told you
that in my younger years [ worked for
B.. twenty hours out of the twenty-four for
successive months but that labor was
nothing in comparison with the overpower-
ing toll which I underwent at Washington.
To say nothing Of the extraordinary neces-
sites of the Department, arising from an
unforeseen and threatening national emer-
gency. The doors of my private dwelling
were hNseiged from daylight to the latest
hours of the night: the department was
surrounded on all hands, and at all hours.
Certain members of Congress, who figure
in the vote of censure. were ever besieg-
ing my doors, and eften waiting for hours
to catch part of the drippings from the
War Department. Meanwhile managed
the delicate and trying affairs Of my situa-
tion as wisely as knew bow. Of course
| committed some errors but | did not
commit the wrong with which lam char
ged in the rosololution of Congress. SOL
emily assert that in neither motive nor
in deed can be chargeable with the COM
mission of any wrong in the administration
of those affairs, and | am proud to say
here in reviewing my official conduct,
see no act which | would not repeat under