American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1862-08-15
WAR MEETING AT WASHINGTON.
Speech from President Linc0in-He
Takes the Responsibility.

meeting at the east front of the Capitol
this afternoon was preceded by the ring
inc of bells, the firing of cannon. and
music from the marine band. The por
tico and platform were occupied BY MANY
ladies, and military, civil and naval off
GERS of Distinction.
No ruler of nation was ever received
with more enthusiasm than President
Lincoln when he took the platform this
afternoon. The multitude swayed with
expectation. Thousands looked to him
as an oracle. They were burning for
one determined sentence. one significant
word, one determined pledge of leader
ship All felt that at this iuncture
such an utterance would ring through
the land, and be worth ten times ten
thousand men. An honest disappoint.
ment then fell like rain upon the people
when Mr.. Lincoln. after taking the re-
sponsibllity of Gen. McClellan's cam
paigD, positively refused to utter another
syllable more. The historic words re-
NAMED unspoken. Congressman, Gov
ernors, and the general throng shared
and manifested a genuine regret; nor
was the sentiment confined to any party
or clique.
THE PREsIDET'S SPEECH.
Three cheers were given for the Pres
ident, and, after the band had PLAYED
Hail TO The Chief" the President, in re-
spouse to impatient calls, advanced to
the front of the platform and spoke as
follows:
FELLOW CITIZENS | believe there is
no precedent for my appearing before
you on this occasion, Applause but it is
also true that there is precedent for
you being here yourselves /; applause
and laughter and l offer in justification
to myself and you, that, upon examina-
ton [ Gnd nothing in the Constitution
against it. Renewed applause l.
however, have an impression that there
are younger gentlemen who will enter
tain you better, Voices, mo, no-none
can do better than yourself-go on !"l
and better address your understanding
than | will or could, and therefore
propose but to detain you a momement
longer. Cries-"Go on Tar and feath-
er tho rebels RI l am a very little in
clined on any occasion to say anything
unless | hope to produce some good by
it. A voice-"You can do that; 90
on" The only thing | think of Just
now not likely to be said by some one
else. j. a matter in which we have heard
some other persons blamed for what |
did myself Voices-"What is it q |
There has been a very wide spread at
tempt to have quarrel between Gen /
Nc Clellan and the Secretary of War I
Now, | occupy position that enables
me 10 believe. at least, that these two
gentlemen are not nearly so deep in the
quarrel as some presuming to be their
friends. Cries of Good" Gen
Nc Clellan's attitude is such that in the
very sel6shness Of his nature. he cannot
Dnt wish to be successful, and | hope he
will. and the Secretary of War is precise
y in the same situation. l.,
Ii the military commander in the field
.annot be successful. not only the Secre>
airy of War. but myself, for the time
'eing the master of them both, cannot !
'e but failures. Laughter and ap-
lause.l know Gen. Nc CleIlan wishes
D be successful. | know he does not :
fish it more than the Secretary of War {
DR. him, and both of them together no 9
iore than ! wish it. Applause and a
ries of Good Sometimes we have
dispute how many men Gen. McClel-
m has had. and those who would dis ;,
arage him say he has had a very large :,
lumber, and those who would disparage II
le Secretary of War insist that Gen cl
lcClellan has had very small number oil
he basis of this is, there is always a
ide difference. and on this occasion IA
wider one, between the grand total on n,
en- McClellan's rolls and the men ac- of
ally fit for duty. and those who would re-
sparage him talk of the grand total on OF
lper. and those who would disparge the n.
,cretary OF War talk of those at pres n
It fit for duty. Gen. Mcclellan has bf
metimes asked for things that the Sec M
tary of War did not give him. Gen "a
cCIellan is not to blame for asking for n
rat he wanted and needed, and the IN,