New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-03-07
stand Number Two.

SPEECHES OF GENERAL WALB3IDGE, DIR. LIBBER,
MAJOR CHASE T. BLAKE, ELLIOTT p.
SHEPARD
The Hon. Hiram Walbridge was called to the
chair. lie said
SPEECH OF GEN. wALBRIDGB.
FRIENDS AND FELLOw.CITrzHYs: Four years ago.
from this very spot, when il was still uncertain what
was to be the action OF the American people in the
terrible internecne war then first naugurated by the
bold bad wicked conspirators of treason in the South,
in their mad attempt TO overthrow constitutional gov
eminent this great commercial metropolis represent
ing million OF men, and the commercial enterprise Of
the Western Hemisphere somnly pledged 10 the sup
port Of the GoyerDpeDt In behalf OF Constitutional
Freedom, its unlimited resources in men and means.
How faithfully il has redeemed the pledge, then made,
let the unparalleled OF victorious arms bear
It's triumphant testimony. Every conflict from the
origin OF the strife the last OF victory,
has been strengthened aid sustained by some gallant
son of our own Empire State. while the Resources go
indispensable 10 the successful Prosecution OF the sung
vie have been poured forth by the merchant princes Of
this commercial metropolis as freely as water nom the
gushing torrent. No sacrifices however great no de
nands however excessive, have not been met with
cheerulness and aacrity The enterprlsing indcmita
Die intelligent men, that around this beautiful bay have
reared these labtsOns and constructed this mort 81
commerce. realize that the success Of all martial enr
prses il contingent not only noon the moral support
the by the people At nome,
strength OF tber excheqncr. This has been true 10
great since first introduced among men,
but it is more emphatically true as modern Was.
fare Is now Conducted. And II VIII be iOand
10 be the experience Of modern times that
the nations whose fiscal resources are strongest VIII be
most likely TO prevail In any military enterprise IN
OF the fGnds.' was the inquiry Of England's most
astute and gifted PRIME Minister William Pit, when
advised OF OF the great successes OF that transcend
ant genius the elder Napoleon whose pathway was
marked by the overthrow Empires and the dethrone-
ment of kings Wken answered that the public credit
was mistaken, he Observed We can submit to these
casualties of war for the strength Of our excheluer
viii enable Us to wessy out this Corsican yet Great
as have been our contributions In men, and enormous
as have been the advances in money, To sustain the
Government in it's prosecution OF the war, the MAG
nitude OF our charities has invested the contest With
sublime partakes OF the nature ofcur
divine religion, and soctifes the cause IL represents
With more than miDa Of men in arms vind'cating
the national authority asd UNFOLDING the constitutional
cause all the ordinary functions Of the General GOVERN
ment have continued TO be performed with almost that
regularity that marks The movements OF the celestial
spheres All the great departments OF human Ire anu
industry In the constitutional North have continued 10
discharge their wonted offices with the same ORDER.
regularity and decorum TIA; attended society prryions
to the inauguration Of t .he most gigantic Rebellion
Of either ancient modsn times- While these great
military enterprises hare been conducted or scale
unparalleled in history, the civil administration
of the Government tas offered protection TO
tue citizen and SECURITY to ms property
It was the boast of til admirers OF FrederieA tac
erprises which have invested his name and reign with
immortal renown be counued at the same time to con-
dact those civil enterprises which ae.e,o9eG ,ne re-
his Administration. TIE policy. that Frederick ln-
aucurnted--himsef bsoute monarch-has been
prosecuted by the Govotument OF the United States,
acting in obedience to tile instincts aud wishes OF INC
people. whom they represent. Thus II VIII DC seen, III
whatever aspect the case may be regarded, aboverh
ment resting for its security the action Of an intel
ueent PEOPLE will awayt be found sufficiently vigorous
10 protect their interest and 10 advance their reno
Tie elder Adams asserted that the celebration o. the
Declaration Of lndepe Fence on aae Sun Ul l'6.
tions and wond be hated with thanksgiving and praise
by the descendants of Of the Revo luton Tor on
fiat day they declared their conpetc. emancipation
rom the tyrannies Of Great Britaa Hereafter our
descendants shall commemorate the 4th of March
sC5 marking epoch in the r.istory OF the American
people; tor on that day al the national Capital with
imposing ceremonies anu I'll conformity with the forms
OF The Constitution the contamination Of that great act
took place which vas fnauguraed by the people at the
polls in November last Ii records for all time that
enlightened people adeq TO administer their own
Government, and that the liberties OF the people
may be safely confded to their own administration.
Not only the friends Of absoutism. but those Of
Constitutional monarchy have hitherto asserted that
there were many inherent defects, in society it
absolutely impossible TO institute free Government
where all men were politically equal without being sub
iected TO those violent commissions, which sooner or
later terminate in ANARCHY and in the overthrow Of the
civil Administration Of the state. In confirmation OF
these views they point to the melancholy history Of the
tnat IN human
affairs the public understanding has been Illuminated by
the blaze OF letters and the genius of freedom They
who that the people are inadequate the
troll OF their affairs forget that those early
failures the press has been nroducedthat third estate
powerful than kings ministers and potert
for good tor evil than other organization recog
nized in society Said the gifted Sheridan You may
have Il corrupt Honse of Lords. and vena House Of
Commons, bat with the unrrammeed freedom of the
press, l will preserve inyolate the liberties of the
British people This sentiment Of the great CommoEer
confirmed by our experience and may DE recogn<eu
axiom in the political administration OF every mod
ern Government Ii impossible TO conceive thd ever
people will BIO called upon TO determine greater lues
tious affecting their interests than those which were
submitted 10 the American people In the great struggle
in which we have been and are still engaged-ioBr
wears of bloody desolaiing civil war, involving the
ves of hundreds OF thousands Of brave and athletic
nenthe flower and hope Of the Republic--a gigantic
leM mortgaging indefinitely the future. The
continued prosperity and renown or the Republic.
DR. a shameful surrender with humiating con-
titious and the disruption OF the Union, tho
that have been presented for the actien
Il the American people. Fortunately. not only for
but fortunately for the record of the past and the
t more ustrous record that awaits us in tae future.
his great American people have not shrunk from the
responsibilities which have impended over them fully
onscious Of the new sacrifices that would be required.
nd thoroughly impressed With the momentous conse-
uences involved tney determined like Milton ADdel.
, remain unap ed unterrihed. and unseduced, from
re grand purpose upon which they entered 10 Anrik
SOL of holding together these independent State Sow
regnties under one grand, Federal Union cane
, them from the hands of It's ilustrious founders 1
oud willingly draw the vail that obscures the past
a. In this august presence OF the people cannon tut
NIGER TO inonre how different would have beea the
adversary OF this day II the people, yielding to
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