Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-09-18
The soIdiers, nnd sniIors, ConventIon

CLEVELAND, OHIO, Sept 1.-THE Soldiers and
aaoF U0nYea 10 IN Dd TeSPons s 70 call from
son and the action of the Philadelphia COnven-
tion of August 18th. met in the city to-day.
pavilion $50 feet in length by sixty in BREADTH
had been erectedin the Park for the use of the
Convention, and at o'clock the delegation en-
tered, preceded by. band of music, and were
seated After which the crowd from the outside
was admitted and filed the tent to its utmost
Previous to the organization quite a spirited
scene was witnessed, the delegations rising, and
cheering with all their might for, SUCCESSFULLY the
old flag, Generals CUSTER, ROUSSEAU Wool.
and MCCLELLAN. the Constitution, the thirty-six
stars, and President JOHNSON, and, after short
breathing spell. for Gen. GRANT Secretary sew
ARD, the American army, Gen. STEEDMAN and
Gov. BRANLETTE, of Kentucky. The cheering
was called for and given in each case. There was
n scene Of wild enthusiasm, the delegates and
spectators rising. and swinging their bats and
shouting vigorously.
By previous arrangement, Gov. BRAMLETTE
nominated Major General JoHN 4. Wool. as the
oldest Major General in the United States, and
probably in the world, as temporary President.
General Wool received with loud cheers
and addressed the Convention as follows
GENTLEMES: A grateful heart thanks you for your
cheering welcome, A more fiattering and agree
able position could not have been assigned to me
than the one Just conferred as presiding officer
although but temporarily, over this assembly of
patriots and heroes the true defenders of their
country and the Union. Be assured it will eveI
be remembered and appreciated as the most pre-
eiOus incident of long military career. The OBJ
stand 1t correctly, Is to consider the principles
enunciated by the National Union Convention at
Philadelphia. and the restoration policy of Presi-
dent JOHNSON on these subjects. / would simply
remark that Congress recognized the States de-
clared by majority of its members, to be out Of
the Union as constituting part OF the Union, and
admit the loyal Representatives to seats in the
halls Of Congress, and permit them to participate
in che National Government legislation of the
country the sooner will be allayed the fears and
apprehensions of the dangers which again menace
the peace Of the country, and the perpetuity of
the Union with the most bitter and indicative
feelings: war Of words for thirty years was car
ried on between Northern and Radical Abolition
lists and the slave holders of the Southern States
Everything was done and said to promote and
keep alive the controversy. 1t finally calumina-
ted in rebellion IN the Spring of 1861 which for
atrOcity the sacrifice of lives and the expenditure
of untold millions of money, and the loss of prop
erty, followed by pestilence famine and desola-
ton has no parallel in the history Of nations
This bloody and desOlating contest was brought
to q close in the spring Of 1862 when the rebels
were unable longer to carry on the war, they sur
rendered with their armies TO our gallant. GEN
erals GRANT, SHERMAN, and others. The rebel
were permitted. under parole, to return 70 their
homes and there await the order of the United
States Government, the officers and soldiers of
their armies pledging themselves to become true
and faithful supporters of the Constitution and
laws of the United States. Such were the terrible
results Of four years war. caused by the institu
ti0n of slavery. few days after the surrender
of IiEE and his army President LINCOLN was as
sassinatcd. This atrOcous crime, greatly mourned
By the nation. placed Vice President JOHNSON in
the Presidential chair. His elevation was hailed BY
reclamation throughout the land, and this too be-
Of his love and dev OtOn to his country while
n Senator Of the United States in advocating the
preservation Of the Union, in opposition to every
Southern Senator. Few men North and South
were subjected TO greater sacrifices. and on ae-
count Of their patriotism, than ANDREW JOHN-
son. and although piundered Of his property and
driven from his house, he returned again; By his
indominable energy and perseverance. with other
patriots of his State. he reclaimed Tennessee
from treason and rebellion. This bold and daring
friend of the Union can be no traitor. Yet,
strange as it. may appear, be is denounced
as a traitor and threatened by Radical members
Of the rebellious party with impeachment. 1t
may pc asked Win iInnpaLnity, whai mas PRESIDENT
traitor and threatened with impeachment
It is for nothing more than the exercise Of the
most noble and generous efforts to couciliate and
bring back into the folds of the Union a brave
people, and make the United States what they
should be, united Government and people. II
ought not to be forgotten that slavery. the cause
which engendered the rebellion, has been re-
moved. Three or four millions Of slaves have
been declared free by an amendment 70 the Con-
stitutiOn. The Southern States most interested
in slavery, which were deprived Of large amount
Of what they called property and which they had
considered all important 70 their interests and
welfare. qnieily submitted to the amendment.
Those who proposed the amendment emitted TO
guard against what would follow. When too late
il was discovered that the freeing Of four million
slaves would increase southern representation in
Congress % representatives. This was 90 be over
loaked Lest the abolition Radicals should lase
their control OF the Government an act OF Con-
gress or ansther amendment of the Constitution
was proposed. Falling in their efforts, all that
bitter feeling has been revived which existed for
thirty years between the Radicals East and North
and Southern SHAREHOLDERS. Another civil war is
foreShadowed, unless the freedmen are placed
on an equal with their previous masters.
II this cannot be accomplished, Radical parti-
zans, with raging thirst for blood and plumber.
are again ready TO invade the Southern States
and lay waste the country, already desOlated.
With sword in one hand and torch in the other
Try bowling wilderness for want Of more victims
70 gratify an unsparing cruelty.