Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-08-14
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH.

Il - oi
The following is the speech, in full of Presi-
dent Lincoln, at the recent monster War
Meeting in Washington. 1t will be noticed
that our telegraphic report of the speech was
omewhat imperfect
Three cheers were given for the Presi-
dent, and, after the band had played "Hail
to the Chief" the President, in response to
impatient calls, advanced TO the front of the
platform and spoke as follows
Feli0w CitizenS--I believe there is no prec-
edent for my appearing before you on this
occasion, (applause) but it is also true that
there is no precedent for your being here
yourselves (applauss and laughter) and Of
fer in justification of myself and you, that
upon examination have found nothing inthe
constitution against it. (Renewed applause.)
|, however, have Rn impression that there
are younger gentlemen who will entertain
you better volces--No, no; none better
than yourself and better address you un-
derstandngly than | will or could, and
therefore propose but to detain you mo-
ment longer (Cries OF "Go on tar and
feather the rebels) am very little inclined
on any occasion to say anything unless 1
hope to produce some good by it. (lou do,)
The only thing think Of now, not likely to
be better said by some one else, is matter
in which we have heard some other persons
| blamed for what | did myself. (Voices,
"what is ?0 There has been very wide
attempt to have a quarrel between General
Mcclellan and the Secretary OF War. Now
| occupy position that enables me to know
that these two gentlemen are not nearly so
deep in the quarrel as some presuming to be
their friends Ceres of "good) General
McClellan's attitude is such that IN tke very
selfshness of bis nature he cannot but wish
to be successful, and | hope will, and the
Secretary of War is in precisely the same sit
uaton. Ii the military commanders 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.
| daughter and applause.) | know General
Mcclellan wishes to be successful, and 1
know he does not wish 1t any more than the
Secretary of War for him, or both OF them
together no more than | wish it. (Applause
and cries OF good) Sometimes we have
dispute about how many men Gen. Mcclellan
has had and those who would dlsparage him
say he has had very large number, and
those who would disparage the Secretary OF
War insist that Gen. Mcclellan has had a
very small number The basis for this is,
there is always wide difference, and on
this occasion there is 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
on paper, and those who would disparage
the Secretary Of War talk Of those at pres
ent fit for duty Gen. Mcclellan has some-
, times asked for things the Secretary OF War
did not give him. Gen. Mcclellan is not to
blame tor asking for what he wanted and
needed, and the Secretary of War is not to
blame for not giving when he had none to
give. (Applause, laughter, and cries Of
"Good.") And l say here, as far as | know
the Secretary of War has withheld no one
thing at any time in my power to give him
: (Wi!d applause, and voice, "Give him
i enough now.'O have no accusation agains
: him. believe he is brave and able mar
I (applause), and ! stand here, as justice re
quires me to do, to take upon myself wha
/. has been charged upon the Secretary o
War as Withholding from him. have talk
ed longer than expected to do (cries 0
''No, no go on") and now avail myself o
my privilege of saying no more.