The daily mountaineer. (Dalles, Or.) 1861-1866, 1865-11-16
sPEECH OF nON. JOHN CONNEss.


have been SO great that 1 preferred to
leave fer mv field Of labors quietly ;
but the man who could refuse to re-
turn his thanks for such demonstra'
tion as this, must have heart OF
stone. 1 thank you, fellow-citizens,
for this evidence of your regard and
confidence. You have taken me by
surprise. 4 do not appropriate this
demonstration to myself personally,
but look upon it as an Endorsement of
my services and course as your repre-
sentative, [Cheers. When | took
my departure before, our country was
struggling to throttle an unrighteous
but mighty Rebellion. Slavery had
risen to destroy, Liberty. An aristoc.
racywhich had grownrich and arrogant
. in traffic of human beings, had raised
its haud to crush free labor. A por-
Z tion of our people who have received
large share of Government favors,
had drawn the sword with fendish
purposes, TO serve bond OF union
which God and the Fathers of the
5 Republic intended should be eternal
Let us, looking up to this starry mir
ror of heaven this beautiful night,
thank God that the Rebellion is over.
thrown, that liberty, free labor and
.self-government have triumphed, and
our Nation feared and respected by
all the proudest ard strongest on
earth. loud and continued applause ]
Notwithstanding the war is over, it is
no time to slacken our energies. |
look upon next Congress as one of the
most important TO the future welfare
: of the Republic, that we have had.
Tho great principle which consolda-
/. ted the Union people during the war,
was the unconditional overthrow oil
the Rebellion. The great principle
which ought to actuate us now is to
see that the fruits of victory are not
lost. [Cheers Our noble President,
who had conducted the affairs of the
Nation through four years OF one of
the most desperate wars that ever ex
listed, was stricken down by the hand
of an assassin just os the dove of peace
was returning. You and all of us had
confidence in him; let US have that
same confidence in his worthy success.
sor, and all will be well. Three
cheers tor Johnson. The policy and
: course of President Jonnson COM
mends itself to every calm"thinking
man. So far, see no reason to differ
with him. Applause lshall accord
TO this Administration my earnest
support 80 long as it pursues that
course which in my judgment is calcu-
lated to promote the interest of the
whole people, and from my knowledge
of the man and the tried statesmen
who compose his Cabinet, l have no
doubt but that the policy of the Ad
ministration on the great questions
that must arise, will be wise, prudent,
and as satisf ctory to the great mass
of the Union people. Therefore, my
friends, have faith in the President, in
Congress, and your Representatives /;
they are conscious of the responsible
ty that rest upon them, and will not
disappoint you. [Cheers ] l have
not seen fit, during my returns to pro
mulgate any ideas of my own ON
National questions, but l can assure
you that my mind has not been idle.
INhavo studied these question and
closely watched coming events, and
when they arise during the next Con-
gross my course will be governed by
what / consider the best interest OF
tho Nation and the States in part
renresent. GAnnlnnse and cheers