Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-02

ollect, found himself occupying poslNoh III
which all the portions OF the edlflce OF Govern
ment seemed crumbling around him. Why, II
was exceedingly doubtful whether the PIesl'
dent would be able to arrive at the place Where
he could assume the performance OF his duties
Il was only by little contrivance that ne sue, sue
ceeded in defeating the plot which had u" UVen ,n
formed for tho seizure OF his person. tius @ "
disable the country from arriving at the con
stItutlonal organization Of the EIecu,I,o ,,0.
partment. [Cheers. He came 70 % Y, " prnsi5syi
and was qualified as President. bu' - I'll ,t
Of what? He looked around nun M S,i,tLo en aii tno
branches of the departments OF the EASeutNe
Goyernment land everything seemed to be sha-
SJrg ,bont them He looked to the organiza-
ion mon which he was to depend for action,
and he found that wherever he touched, i was
nusound to trust. So ingcniously had the
polson of rebellion been disseminated through
all the ramincations of the Government that
treachery was cropping out everywhere. lie
had TO begin by a thorough scrutiny OF
men, from those occupying the uppermost
seats down to almost the lowest place. lhere
was necessity for searching reform, oy
which the lurking not less than the overt
treason and treachery were to be eliminated
from the executive machinery. iCheers.
That work has now been done. Cheers.
The Government in its position at Washing
Ton is now safe, and Is served faithfully.
lCheers. Is not this something to be thank
ful for . ICheers. Is not this something for
which we have right 10 echo the Presidents
appeal 10 us to meet together, and to be thank
full for upon this occasionl Cheers.l But
that was not by any means the worst point.
The President looked upon the foreign depart
ment ofhis Government, and when he cast his
eyes abroad there was to be found scarcely an
individual in the foreign service who sympa-
lhized with him in his feelings or his difficult
ties. Nay, more, there was, with few honor
able exceptions, scarcely q person who was
not practically disseminating distrust of the
Power under which he was serving. tCheers.
Not a few persons produced O considerable
effect in almost every country OF Europe in
creating that sentiment which became prcva-
lent, that the complete subverslon of the old
system was at hand and that new one was in
evitable. have little aneCdote In connection
with this subject TO tell you. Very shortly aher
the election of Mr.. Lincoln he did me The honor
10 designate me as the individual TO come out
and represent the country at this Court. |
came out as soon as could. got here In
about two months after the Inauguration ofthe
President. On my arrival the first news which
met me was, that three " distinguished COM
Missioner as the newspapers called them,
had come out from the rebel authorities and
were at thai time in London. Ihad the pleasure
of learning also that these commissioners had
confidently announced among their friends
that before | should reach London the Govern
ment and capital Of Washington would be in
their hands; consequently ! should stand no
chance of being recognized by the British Gov
ernment as the representative of the United
States. ICbeers. and laughter This is sim
ply specimen OF the mode in which that class
Of persons labored throughout Europe, and not
without effect. And It has taken all the time
from that day 10 this 10 inspire the different
Governments of Europe with tolerable share
OF confidence In our Intentions to remain the
Government of the United States. [Cheers.
Now, Mr.. Chairman, think we have got SO
isr, that begin TO feel as If ! could assure you
that they have seen reason to modify their
views Of the condition Of that Government.
lCheers. If after three years this change has
taken place, ask, have we not something 10
thank God for Is not fit occasion TO meet
and rejoice in this restoration But let me go
a step further WheA the President looked
upon the Treasury, he found that so ingenious.
ly had the individuals labored in the preceding
Administration, many high in Office were con-
spring 10 destroy the United States, to under
mine the credit Of the country, that II was with
great difficulty some Of the moncyGd men could
be persuaded 10 come forward 10 loan the Gov
ernment small sum of money to enable 1t to
go on, until the time of taking his post.
There probably never was time in Its whole
history, when the national credit had been so
much shaken; and that by the Vaccinations of
those who had been Its secret enemies. The
President had TO reOrganiZe credit by re-estab-
fishing the foundations Oft In the integrity of
the Administration of the Treasury He did
so. What has been the RESULT From that
degree of feebeness when confidence In a Gov
ernment promise seemed 10 be shaken almost
beyond repair, the people have gradually
increased in faith, until they now daily rush In
swarms, voluntarily to offer their money to the
Government In exchange for the obligations
which they arc anxious TO obtain. [Cheers.
Is not that something 10 be thankful fort Lei
me 60 n step further. When this war broke
out, the President looked around 10 see where
was his military organization upon which he
had TO rely for the support Of his coercive mea-
sures. He found here, too, that so vigorously
had treason worked itself through all the a1llj-
ations of the military organization, that there
was not one man out of three who could be
trusted. He found one set who were, and who
ultimately declared themselves traitors. He
found another set who were not traitors, but
so timid and lukewarm, as scarcely 10 know
whether they would, or would not support the
Government. lie found still another set who
had been IN service so long, and had arrived at
such an age that, however excellent their dfs-
position and capacity were, they could not well
be relied upon in the field on account of phy-
slcal disability. That was the state of the Or
ganization which he had got to begin a gigantic
war with. do not bsliepc that IN The irLole his |
tory Of he ,cptld greater undertaking tOas Cper
|Ss'"nsd 6y an individual rho had no experience |
az such matters. Ee had to reorganZc an army
on scale Of half amillon Of men upon the
narrow basis which was thus left TO Kim 10 |
operate upon LChcers. At the outset, as
You all know, he met with difficulties of all |
kinds. He had 10 try numbers. and a great
many failed. But look at the organization as
1t exists now, and compare 1t with what it was
Al the beginning, and you will see that by |
Paucnce, and perseverance, and fidelity to his |
duty, he has got you au army which will carry |
you through. loud chcers.l There arc no |
men now In the army whom you are Obliged IN |
misrust. Hear, hear. There are no men who |
you suspect may betray oil your movements TO
the rebels. Is not this a result for which we
are ready now 10 give thanksl Applause /
Let us turn for a moment from that side of the
picture TO the other sidc-thu navy Tho navy
was Of most essential importance to the Gov
ernment at the beginning Of tllc war. When
the President looked after his navy, he found
that some ships had to be destroyed to save
them from treacherous abandonment, and tho
rest had been sent away as far over the globe
as they could go. He had to restore the whole
system almost from its foundation.
He had TO go through the same process as
that he had applied to the army, 10 build ships,
TO recognize the bureauX in short to place
the navy on a footing that 1t had never stood
before. II has taken two short years, and
little more, to do all this, and ,c' hare nor a
ndVy both IN numbers and potrcr Which iriH make
Tie United States, Do1i may depend on t. TcsDect-