The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-07-17
Serenade and Speech at Washins ton.

On the reception Of the news OF the fall
OF V'chsburg, the President and Heads of
Departments, were serenaded The first
speech was made by President Lincoln.
The President appeared at an upper
window OF the White House, and spoke in
substance as follows
Fellow cilizens-I am very glad in.
deed to see you Tonight, and yet will not
say thank you Tor this call. But / do
most sincerely thank Almighty God for
the occasion on which you have called
(Cheers.)
How long ago is i, ? 80 odd years-since
on the 4lh OF Jny for the frst time 10 the
history OF The world, nation by its repre-.
scn,a,ives assembled and declared as
sell evident truth that all men are created
equal. (Cheers.) That was the birth day
oil tie United States OF America.
Since then the 4th OF July has had sew.
era very peculiar recognitions. The two
most distinguished men in the framing
and support of the declaration were
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, the
one having penned ii and the other sus.
tained it the most iorcioly in debate, the
only two OF the fifty five who sustained it
being elected Preadsnt Of the United
States. Precisely fity years after they
put their hanbs to the payer it pleased Al.
mighty God TO take both rom the stage of
action. This wasindeeJ an extraordinary
aud remarkable event in our history.
Another President five years after, was
called from The Stage Of existence on the
some day and month Of the year, and now
in ibis last Fourth of July just passed,
when We have a gigantic rebellion, at the
bottom OF which is an effort 10 overthrow
the principle that all men were created
equal.
We have the surrender Of most pow
erful position and army on that very day.
, (Cheers.) And not only so but in sue
cession ol battles in Pennsylvania near to
US, through ,hree,days, so rapidly fought
that they might be called one great bat
lie. on the LIST, ed and 81 Of the month o.
July and on the 4lh The cohorts OF those
who opposed the declaration that all mer
are created equal, turned and run. Zion.
continued cheers.) Gentlemen, this is
glorious theme and the occasion for
speech, bu. L am not prepared 10 max,
one worthy OF the occasion.
Alter few more wo,ds from the Pres.
idenl the crowd left for the War Office.
Loud cheers were given for our Secre-
tary Stanton who returned his thanks for
the compliment, and spoke in high eulo.
gy Of the recent deeds OF the Army OF the
Potomac, and of the snccess resulting in
the fall Of Vicksburg. He expressed his
confidence in the early crushing out Of the
rebellion, and anticipated that snccess
will continue to follow success, and claimed
We had achieved graf victories over the
rebels and copperbeads.
Gen. Haleck briefly addressed the mul
, titude. He said it had been nearly tw,
years since he took command Of the Arm,
Of the West. Gen. Grant was under hi
command. and had fought fifteen battle:
and won fifteen victories. Now he is three
(our,hs OF the way down Mississippi, and
to-day or to morrow he will be in Port hud
son.
A large number OF proceeded to the resi-
dence OF Secretary Seward. He said he,
in the beginning, was against this war. He
desired TO put it of, if possible. Il taa
wos weakness, there was a warrant in the
character OF Him who died to save th,
world. He desired the cup to pass from
him if his Heavenly Father pleased; il not
then he would accept it. He waited unit
the war was made, not by us agaius, ou
brethren OF the Sonth, bnt by our bre,h
rem of The South against US. Self.defeDse
! he argned, was the best. cause on earth
With this, no nation could perish. II,
wanted TO receive The war, not make it
No nation could be saved without sacrif
ces. II he could not save the country, he
was here al the expense of ali be held dear
TO be buried in tie ruin.
He spoke somewhat a. length and hope.
fully as TO the future. previously remark
ing: II l fall, let me fall in public streets
and be buried under the pavement -
and let the assassins Of my country's lib
erty tread upon me, ill here arises from
my grave some avenger 10 restore the lib
cry OF my native land.