The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-24


the Preat and controlling party OF the country,
and cover itself with imperlshable Glory Ifit
goes MOI, Its days are mum mbered, and the epltaph
tDat VIII be written on IL will be: "It knew how
10 prosecute the war with vigor; but it lacked
ihe wisdom to avail itself of the benefits of vic.
tory"
LETTERS FROM SECRETARY HARLAN AND ATTORNEY
.-.... GENERAL SPEED.
The party next proceeded to the residence of
AttoIney-General Speed, but that gentleman,
although called for, did not make his appear.
ance:- Several persons said he was not at home
DuI that ne was at the Club-room.
Inc band Afterwards played before the resi-
esnce ois o. Secretary Harlan, but that gentleman
The Hon. Green Clay Smith, who was pro-
minent actor in the serenading Demonstration
mounting the steps, said Secretary Harlan had
written letter to the Club, which could be read
at the Club-room. THIS ended the proceedings
attendant on the serenade.
The letter of Secretary Harlan is as follows:--
SECRETARY HARLAN's LETTER.
DEPARTMENT or THE INTERIOR, WASHINGTON,
D. O., May %, S66.-Sir:-Several days since |
received note signed by you, as President OF
the National Union Club informing me OF their
intention TO serenade the President and his
Cabinet officers on an evening which you then
named, and note from the Secretary OF this
Organization announcing its postponement ON
account OF the character of the weather. |
have today received third note, signed by the
Corresponding Secretary, informing me that
oe seiehaue VIII De tenuereu tnlS evening, at
O'clock.
After rendering to you and the Club nv
thanks for the compliment OF including me in
the number to be thus hohored, l regret to be
compelled to add that my official engagements
render 1t 1t lmpracticable for me to be present
This circumstance gives me less pain, as am
not conscious OF having done ANYTHING which
entities me personally to the honor of such an
ovation; ana II the proposed "call" is intended
as the newspapers assert to furnish the officials
connected with the Executive Department OF
me Government an opportunity to announce
thelr opinions on political subjects am ln
clined to think it pardonable egotism for me
10 suppose that my opinions are fully known to
all who may consider them of sufficient conse-
quence to merit passing noJice, as / have
frankly proclaimed them on the floor of the
Senate and from the rostrum, for ten consecu-
tive years next preceding the commencement
OF my service as Secretary of the Interior
and have not at any time since when occasions
required it, failed to express my views with
equal candor.
As my political affiliations In the past have
not been doubtful, do not intend that they
shall be so in the future. / have been four
times elected to a seat in the United STATES
Senate by the Legislature of Iowa, as a repre-
sentative OF the Republican Union party, and as
a member OF that political organization was
appointed to the Office | row hold. To betray
the confidence thus reposCd in me would be a
manllesiation OF lngratitude so garingly dis
honorable, that am sure no intelligent member
OF your organization suspects it. Nor can it be
expected that will do or say anything which
would, in my opinion tend to divide weaken
or demoralze the great Union organization
until the purposes of lis creation shall have
beea fully accomplished. l have the honor to
be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES HARLAN.
To Hon. A. W. Randall, President of National
Union Club.
ATToBNEYGENERAL SPEEDS LETTER.
The following is Attorney General Speeds
letter.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OFFICE, WASHINGTON,
d. c., May 23, 1866.-Dr. Ferguson, Correspond
inc Secretary National Union CIub-Sir:-Late
yesterday afternoon received your notice that
would be serenaded this evening, at O'Clock.
AS you have seen fit to notify me OF this intended
compliment, presume that an address will be
expected 1t is right that l should say before
hand that the shortness of the time and pressing
engagements will not permit ne to prepare a
httlng address, and l most respectfully state
that | must be excused from speaking on the
occasion. Your Obedlent servant,
JAMES SPEED.