Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-08-18
MORNING LEADER.
THURSDAY MORFING. AUGUST IS
THE CONGRESSIONAL C0NVEN-
TION OF THE 18TH DISTRICT.
General Garfield Re-nOminated
By AeelamatiOn.
Adoption Of Resolutions Gen.
surfing Senator Wade.
SPEECH OF GEN GARFIELD.
TEditorial Correspondence of the LFADER. ]

I 1esLerQay AT ~ a NJ bHo NCAO5AsSS
from the 18th District met in Webb Hall
at Warren, to nominate candidate for
Congress.
The Convention being called to order, it
was organized by the election of the follow
ing officers and committees:
PrrsTDENT-T J. BIcCIain.
| VICE PREsIDENTs-C. n. Allen, Ashtabula /; DR..
! H. Manning, Mahoning.
! SEcRETARlEs-Wm. Ritezell, Trumbuil; II. B.
! W Hail. Portage; NJ. c. taniield, Geauga Abner
Kellogg, Ashtsbula Thomas II. Mills, Mahoning
COMMITTEE on REsOLUTIoSs-H. G.. Service, Ma
honing; in. Ensign, Ashtabula; NJ @. Canneld
Geaugr; R. A. Gillette, Portage; $ G. Butler
| TrumbuIl.
A Committee on Credentials was then
appointed, and the name of General J. A.
Garfield announced as a candidate by R.
A. Gillette, of Ravennh, and also that OF
r. W. Taylor of Youngstown.
A Committee was then appointed to
invite General Garfield to address the
meetingi in the afternoon This Committee
consisted of Messrs Williamson, of Trum-
bull, Wells, Of Afahoning, and Garfield, OF
Geauga The Convention then adjourned.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
On assembling in the afternoon, General
McClain in the Chair, the report of the
Committee on Gre ientials was received
After the report of the Committee ON
Credentials, General Garfield was called to
the platform, and spoke as follows:
SPEECH OF GEN. GARFIELD.
GENTLE,fEN OF THE 18TH DIsrRIcT:-
! scarcely know what is expected of me on
this occasion, as this is the first time that !
have ever been invited to appear before a
Convention under such circumstances. ]
desire however, that a perfect understand
ing should exist between myself and my
constituents. I think l know myself well
enough to say that 1 should do dishonOr
10 YOU and myself il were willing that
YOU should be deceived in regard to my
opinions. am grateful TO you for the con-
fdence you have extended to me and / de-
sire that nothing but mutual confidence
should exist hereafter.
l have been informed that rumors of
false character have recently been circu-
lated in regard to my position in refer
eace to the Wade and Davis Protest. Ii
litS REt-Ll EsAlu AiAaI L NH ~ llutAl " lAAAN
protest. To this l have to say that l did
not know such q protest was TO be issued.
Whoever afirms the contrary, has falsifed
When saw it, l expressed my regret, as
I do now, that that protest, was Issued
But yet, though / think the protest i'll
timed, / do not approve of the disposition
Of some men TO throttlet the authors of it.
Il is hardly advisable TO kill our own
friends, as we have need Of them.
It has also been said that am opposed,
or have been opposed, to the nominations
Of the Baltimore Convention. To this l
have TO say that did exceedingly regr
calling the National Convention at so early
date. There are many reasons for this
opinion, which it is not necessary for me
TO urge We might have waited until the
results of the military campaign had
become more apparent, or until the
action Of the Democratic party at Chicago
had been determined. Abraham Lincoln
was not my first choice. 1 made no fac
tious opposition, however, to his nOmina-
ton at Baltimore / thought that delay
wonld insure greater consolidation in the
ranks of the Union men. Since that nom
inaton, have found no other way to act
than to 60 for that nominee. Our duty is
to rally all the elements Of strength about
that nomination, and to from upon all dis
fractions and dissensions.
Our chief duty is to rally around the
War. to sustain our armies in the field until
they shall carry it to triumphant Close
But while this duty exists, let me repeat
that it is not wise 10 exercise from our
ranks any Union men, L occupy two po-
sitions before you to-day. My first posi-
tion is that Of public officer. In that po-
sition, I hold it to be my privilege, under
the Constitution, and as a man, 10 criticize
any acts of the President Of the United
States. Ioannot go to Congress, as your
representative, with my liberty restricted
in this respect, in any degree. # Igo to
/ Cou0reSs, llnust 90 as a free man. Cheers
l cannot go otherwise, and when you are
unwilling to grant me my freedom Of opin-
ion to the highest degree, have no longer
q desire 10 represent you.
What have said, have said with the
fullest convictions Of the truthfulness OF
the position. Et
In conclusion, if any one doubts my 10y
atty after three years of service in the
army and in Congress, can do nothing
additional to establish it now. leave tins
question with you, and win eheerfully abide
whatever results you may choose.
At the conclusion of General Gardeld'i
remarks, the whole convention broke ou
into enthusiastic cheers, showing that thu
bold and manly avowals of the speake
had received the cordial approval Of tn
delegates of the Nineteenth District.
After the address of General Garfield
Judge Garfield, of Chardon, read the fol
| IovvinC