Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-07-08
REJOICING OVER THE FALL OF vICKSBURG.
SERENADE TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE
MEMBERS OF HIS CABINET

When the crowd arrived in front of the White
House the President was not in, but in a few
moments he made his appearance, and after
an air by the band aud cheers by the crowd for
Gen Meade, the Army of the Potomac, Gen.
Grant, the Army of the Mississippi, Gen. Rose
Grams and others, he appeared at the window
and spoke follows:
Fellow-citizens l am very glad to see yos
tonight. But yet will not say thank you
for this call. But do most sincerely thank
Almighty God for the occasion on which you
have called. fCheers.l How long ago is 1T
Eighty odd years since, upon the Fourth day
OF July, for the first time in the world, union
body OF representatives was assem- bled to de-
clare as a self-evident truth that all men were
created equal. [Cheers.]
That was the birthday of the United States of
America. Since then the fourth day of July
has had several very peculiar recogIitions.
The two most disting uished men who framed
and supported that paper, including the par
ticular declaration have mentioned, Thomas
Jefferson and John Adams, the one having
ramed it, and the other sustained it most ably
in debate, the only two of the fifty. five or fifty
six who signed 1t, / believe, who were ever
President OF the United States, precisely fifty
years after they put their hands to that paper
it pleased the Almighty God to take away from
this stage OF action on the Fourth of July.
This extraordinary coincidence we can UNDER
stand to be dispensation of the Almighty
Ruler of Events.
Another of our Presidents five years after
wards, was called from this stage of existence
on the same day of the month, and now on this
Fourth OF July just past, when a gigantic re-
bellion has risen in the land, precisely at the
bottom of which is an effort to overthrow that
principle ssthat all men are created equal" we
have surrender of one of their most powerful
positions and powerful armies forced upon
them on that very day. [Cheers.l And L see
in the succession of battles in Pennsylvania
which contin ued three days, so rapidly follow.
ing each other as to be justly called one great
battle, fought on the first, second and third of
July; on the fourth the enemies of the declara.
ton that all men are created equal had to turn
tail and run Laughter and applausel
Gentlemen, this is a glorious theme and q
glorious occasion for speech, but am not
prepared to make one worthy Of the theme and
worthy of the occasion [Cries of ssgo on and
applause. 1 would like to speak in all praise
that is due to the the many brave officers and
soldiers who have fought in the cause of the
Union and liberties of this country from the
beginning of this war, not on occasions of sue
cess, but upon the more trying occasions of the
want of success. / say / would like to speak
in praise of these men, particularizing their
deeds, but am unprepared. / should dislike
10 mention the name OF single officer lest in
doing so wrong some other one whose name
may not occur to me. GCheers.1
recent events bring up certain names, GAL
lantly prominent, but do not want to parLic-
uiarly name them at the expense of others,
who are as justly entitled to our gratitude as
they l therefore do not upon this occasion
name single man. And now | have said
~.
promptn manner, and if you please. I'll take
the music. Tremendous cheering, and calls
for the President to reappearl
After music by the band, the crowd pro-
ceeded to the War Department, and after re-
peated calls for Secretary Stanton that gentle
mar made his appearance, in company with
Gen. Halleck, and spoke as follows:
thahk you very sincerely, very fervently,
for this token Of your respect and confidence,
and hope that it will not be long before you
may have an occasion to rejoice in the triumph
OF our arms over this rebellion, wherever the
rebels Will be arrayed against this Govern
ment [Cheers.l You are celebrating to night
q victory achieved by Gen. Grant. [Cries OF
''good," 'good," and applause.l 1t was de-
clared to us in those noble words we love to
your works" [Cheers.l The first declara-
ton of that kind was made in the face of the
enemy by Gen. Grant at Donelson. He has
moved against their works, and the result is
Nicksburg. [Cries of 'sgood," and "bully for
him. The same strategy, the same bra very,
the same indomitable energy which has driven
the enemy from the banks Of the Susq johanna
ana MISSISSIPPI, will ere long drive every rebel
from the field and every copperhead to his hole.
ICries of "good, and vociferous cheering
And hope that before this year shall enc, the
same gentleman who, under general orders,
rendered the thanks of the Governmen to Gen.
Grant. will announce to him the thanks OF the
people for clearing the Mississippi, and an
nounce TO them the clearing OF the rebels from
every battlefield.
One more word. To the glorious army Of the
Potomac and to the glorious army of the Mis-
sissippi be forever renown and honor in the
hearts OF the American people. IFociferous
Major Gen. Halleck came forward and said:
1t Is now nearly two years since | took COM
mand of the army in the West, during which
time Gen. Grant has served under my orders.
During that time he has fought fifteen battles,
and won fifteen victories. [Cheers, loud and
long, On no single occasion has that COM
mandsr and that army been repulsed; He is
now three-fourths of the way down the Mis-
sissippi, or was on the Fourth. To-day or to-
m0rroto ne aoiL be IN Port Hudson. [Cheers.
The enemy talked of watering their horses in
said he would water his horses in the Tennes-
see. [Laughter.) He did not water his horses
In the Tennessee, nor has Lee watered his
horses in the Delaware, because Gen Meade
Union men and Union horses will very soon
drink the waters of the Mississippi from its
source to its mouth. IApplause.l
Secretary Stanton here called for three
cheers for Gen Meade and the army Of the Po-
tomac, Gen. Grant and the armies of the West,
and nine cheers for the Union, which were
given with will.
Senator Wilson, Of Mass, was then intro.
duced, and spoke in glowing terms Of the re-
cent victories, and rejoiced that the death blows
to the rebellion had been struck, and that
slavery would die with it.
for, made a short address. As Western man
he desired to accord his word OF praise to the
gallantry Of the army Of the Potomac. The
armies OF the West had done nobly, but there
is no record Of bravery superior to that mani
tested by the brave men from Maine to Mary
land in the army of the p otomac at Gettys-
burg. That battle was the Waterloo or the
war. and had proved the downfall Of copper.
headism all over the North. and here he OBJ
served that the vile reptiles were crawling
into their holes. Laughter and cheers.l
Hon. T.. b. Washburne, Of Ill, was next in
PRODUCED, and sboke OF the campaign before
Vicksbnrg in an interesting manner. paying a
tribute OF respect to the dead who fell before
that Sebastopool of the West. He predicted
that the next news would be the surrender of
Port Hudson, and that the army Of the West,
would, after capturing Joe Johnston, make
their way to the Potomac, where they would
greet their brethren. [Cheers.l
Addresses were also made by Senator Lane
OF Kansas. and Representative Ar..old, of Ill.
Secretary Seward was called upon at his res.
idence and in response to the calls he made his
appearance and spoke of the war; being fire..
quently interrupted by applause.
He said that in the beginning he was opposed
TO the war. He desired TO put it OFF if possible
If that was . weakness there was warrant
for it in the character of him who died to save
fhor HoA 4 ,x,