The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-09-03
Speech of President Lincoln,

President Lincoln was greeted with
great enthusiasm when he appeared upon
the platform at the immense war meeting
held in front of the Capitol on the 9Th
After the band had played "Hail to the
Chief the President, in response to i'm
patient calls, advanced to the front of the
platform AMI spoke as follows:
Fellow citizens-I believe there is no
precedentfo for my appearing before you on
this occasion But it is also true that
there is no precedent for you being here
yourselves, Iapplause aud laughter and
[ offer in justification Of myself and you,
that upon examination have found moth
ing in the Constitution againstit. & Re-.
newed applause.) 1 have, however, an
impression that there are younger gentle
men who will entertain you better--and
better address your understanding than
will or could, and therefore, I propose to
detain you but moment longer 1Uries
Iof ego on" "Tar and feather the
|rebels.') ->----- -----
I am very little inclined on any occa-
sion to say anything, unless hope to pro-
duce some good by it, eE sEar 1854
The only thing think of Just now, not
likely to be better said by some one else,
is matter in which we have heard some
other persons blamed for that | did my
self (Voices-What is it?) ssaE So
There has been a very widespread at.
tempt to have quarrel between Gen.
Mcclellan and the Secretary of War.
Now, [ occupy position that enables me
to believe, at least, these two gentlemen
are not so deep in the quarrel as some pre-
suming to be their friends. -.--
Gen. McClellan's attitude is such that
in the very selishness Of his nature, he
cannot but wish to be successfully, and l
hope he will, and the Secretary of War
is precisely in the same stu ton. IF the
military commander in the field cannot
be successful, not only the Secretafyso of
War, but myself, for the time being the
master Of them both. cannot be but fail
ures know Cen Mcclellan wishes to
be successful. and I know that he does not
wish it any more than the Secretary of
War for him; and both of them together
no more than wish IT, ~ ~
Sometimes we have dispute about how
many men Mcclellan has had, and those
who would disparage him say he has had
very large number, and those who would
disparage the Secretary of War. insist
that Mcclellan has had very small mum
ber. The basis of this is, there is always
wide difference, and on this occasion
perhaps wider one, between the grand
total on McClellan's rolls and the men
actually fit for duty, and those who would
disparage him talk of the grand total or
paper, and those who would disparage
the Secretary of War, talk of those a
present fit for duty. 80 @ " p:
Gen. Mcclellan has sometimes asked
for things that the Secretary of War die
not give him. Gen. Mcclellan is not -te
blame for asking for what he wanted and
the Secretary of War is not to blame fol
not giving where he had none to give; ane
1 say here, so far as know, the Secretary
of War has withheld no thing at any timt
in my power to gave him. l have no ac
cusation against him. I believe he is |
brave and able man, (applause), and
stand here, as justice requires me, to tax
:. upon myself what has been charged upol
the Secretary of War, as Withholding from
him. have talked longer than ] ex
pected to, and now avail myself of tn
privilege of saying no more" I