The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-08-15
A speech by the Presidenf-.Tsle
Great War Meeting at WASN'T singtOn
.-Whas sile Fresidesst Tia inks OF
the stanton and VIC cCSeIlsaa Qmar.
rel.

SPEECH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
Three cheers were given for the Presi-
dent; and after the band had played Hail
TO the Chief" the President in response to
the impatient calls, advanced to the front
Of the platform and spoke as follows:
FELLOW CrrrzrNs-I believe there is no
precedent for my appearance before you on
this occasion -(applsuse) but it is also
true that there is NJ precedent for your be-
ing here (applause and Taught
er)-and OTTER In Justification of myself
and you, that, upon examination, | have
found nothing in the constitution against it.
Renewed applause. l, however. have an
impression that there are younger gentle
men who will entertain you better (vocies
mo. no; none can do better than your
self; go on land better address your un-
Outstanding than will or could, and there
fore propose but to detsin you moment
longer. (Cries-"Go on Tar AID feather
the rebels!") am very little inclined on
any occasion to say any thing unless hope
to produce some good by il. "a voice
You do that, 90 on.') The only thing 1
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 what did myself. (voice--"What is
try There has been very widesp at
tempt 10 have quarrel between General
Nc Clellan and the Secretary of War. Now.
occupy position that enables me to be-
lieve at least these two gentlemen are not
nearly SO deep in the quarrel as some PIE
suming to be their friends. (Cries Of
Good y General McClellsn's attitude is
such that in the very relffishness of his ma
turc he cannot but wish to be successful
and i hope he will -and the Secretary Of
war is precisely in the same situation. If
the military commanders in the field cannot
be successful. not only the Secretary of
War. but myself. for the time being master
of them both. cannot be but failures.--
Laughter and app'ause) know General
Mcclellan wishes to be successful, and l
know he does MT wish it any more than the
Secretary of War for him. and both of them
toxetl er no more than | wish it. (Applause
and cries of ..Good") Sometimes we have
. dispute abou, how many men Gen. Nc
Clcllan has had. aud those who would dis
parage him saw he has had very large
number, aud those who would disparage
the Secretary Of War insist that Gen. Nc
Gle Ian has had avery large number. The
basis for this is, there is always a wider DIFF
ference, and, on this occasion, perhaps. a
wide one between the grand total on Me-
Clellan's rolls and the men actually ft fer
duty; aud those who would disparsge him
talk o. the grand total on psper, and those
Who would disparage the Secretary of War
talk of those at present it for duty. Gen.
Mcclellan has sometimes asked for things
that the Secretary o. War did not give hin.
Gen NJ .Ciellsn is 20. to blame Tor asking
for wha, he wanted and needed. and the
Secretary of War Is not to blame for not
giving when he had none to give. (Applsuse
laughter. and cries Of Good, gooI) And
I say here. so far As know. the Secretary
Of War has withheld no one thing at any
time in my power to give him. (Wld ap-
plaase. and -voioe-.Give him enough.
now ~ have no accus ,tion against him
believe he is brave and able man-fa ap-
plause )-and stand here as justice re-
quirss me TO do. to take upon myself what
! has been charged on the Secretary of War
as Withholding from him. have talked
longer than expected to do-(cIss o!
mo" "no:' ..go ou')--and nov avail,
myself Of my privilege OF ssysng no more.