Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-09-07
The President in Philadelphia.
HIS SPEECH TO THE PEOPLE.

in Philadelphia. He was escorted by the
citizens and military to the Continental Ho-
tel. from the portico of which he addressed
the anxiously expectant throng as follows
Fcllow- Citizens In visiting Philadel-
phia on the present occasion it was not for
the purpose of making a speech, but it was
on my way, in company with distinguished
gentlemen, to the great city of the West, Chi
cago, to witness and participate in laying the
chief cornerstone of the monument to be
erected in memory of a distinguished states
man. We have taken Philadelphia on our
route, and being here to-day, must be per-
mitted to tender to the citizens of Philadel-
pAia on this occasion, and under the pecu-
liar circumstances, my heartfelt and sincere
thanks for this public demonstration. trust
the day is far distant when one part of
our Union shall be arrayed in battle against
the other trust the day is far distant when
brother shall be set against brother and in the
name of God shall lift up his hand against his
throat I trust the day is far distant when the
land we love shall be again drenched with a
brothers blood Cries of Good. The bale
full planet Of fire and blood has disappeared,
and the bengnant star Of peace has taken its
place, and under its influence | trust the
country will return to affection, peace and
harmony, and that reconciliation will again
be brough about, and we shall be enabled to
stand together as one people and one Union.
Cheers So far as it refers to the past, with
regard to political affairs, have already said
| did not intend to make speech My pub
lie acts and messages are already before the
country, and it is from them you are to Judge:
Y oices-s' That's fact, 7 g You are right"
: Go ahead, " g We are with you" Believ
ing as I do that the policy have pursued
has been calculated to advance and promote
the best interests Of the country, God being
my helper, intend to stand to it, and with
your help and God willing, this Union shall
be restored. General applause. Then let
us stand together; let us approach common
platform; let us forget that we have been di-
vided into parties and forget, too, that we
must obey the behcsts Of party instead Of the
command of the country. Let your country
be saved; let the interests of the great mass
es of the people be preserved. Then let par
ties sink into insignifcance. TIA party must
be maintained, let it be based on the great
principles of the Constitution Yes, the Con-
stitution Of my country is the strongest league
which can be formed, renewed and general
applause and when you talk about leagues,
laughter, who is it that has entered into a
covenant and formed league above the Con-
stltutlon? Applause. Such a one has en-
+oroI -, 70 q oo,,ipct biu oo,,utrv
and we should look to it. Let each man be-
long to the great national league, and let the
Constitution Of the United States be the con-
stitutional league. For myself, I want no
better constitutional league than that formed
by Washington and his compeers. applause
1t was good enough for them it is good
enough for you and for me. Applause, and
cries of That's fact" g \ gu are right. y
AS band Of brothers, loving our country,
and determined to support the National Con-
stitution, let us stand around the common al
tar of our country and swear that all shall
perish and fall in the dust rather than the
| Union of these States shall not be maintained.
Applause From my youth to the present
time it has always been my creed on all great
emergencies to rely on the intelligence, pa
triotism and integrity Of the American pco
pie; and so / stand to-day. Renewed APP
plause. The Constitution of the country is
in your hands, and | feel confident that you
will, at the proper time, and at the ballot
box, give such expression as will maintain it,
so that the country will stand redeemed and
rcgenerated. Applause. AS entered your
! city to-day saw on a mechanical establish
ment the words, Welcome to the President.
Iknow it was the emanation Of laboring men.
! Cheers. Who placed it there knew Of my
confidence in them; and if you, the people,
will act right, as evidenced here to-day you,
Il "a voice, All right you can bring the
class of men who call themselves politicians
to terms without much effort on your part.
[Cries, That's a fact."] We have heard
much about emancipation. Who has tried
more than have to establish that great prin-
ciple? But are you quite sure that large
portion of Pennsylvanlans are not having the
tyrant's rod held over them? Who is it that
is holding that rod over you? There is much
talk about men being put out of office p
The clamor is, that somebody is turned out,
and somebody's put in. The reason for this
is, they desire to perpetuate themselves in
power, and say to you and the people who
fought battles and exposed yourselves to
dangers, while they remained safe at home,
that they must not be turned out, and no
body else appointed to office. Applause. Is
that good old doctrine Of rotation in office
forgotten? Are no other persons than those
who are now in Office to participate in the
conduct Of the Government, and are they to
have the power and attempt to exercise it as
unrelentingly as tyrants themselves? | say,
then, to you, come up to the work, the ty-
rants rod can be bent and broken. | repeat,
that the Government is in your hands, and
l have always been, and am still willing to
trust it to you. Fellow citizens, | did not
intend to say as much as have. There are
other gentlemen here who will be compelled
to make soE1 Gnarks will therefore con-
clude by td44svlng my sincere and heartfelt
thanks for this spontaneous manifestation o.
regard and respect for one who has labored
during his whole and he might say eventfu]
life, to promote and advance the interest o.
the great masses of the people. thank you
gentlemen, and, in parting with you, ! leave