Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-05-29
TnE sERENADE IN wAsHINoroN.

The care and toll of winning.
--------.ssse------
THE sERENADE IN WASHINGTON,
In our last paper we gave brief ac-
count of the serenade to the President and
Cabinet, on the evening of the 22d INST, by
motley assembly of Copperheads. ON
this occasion it is said Andrew was sober,
and consequently his speech was short
one, simply returning thanks for the honor
done him. The Secretary of State was alb.
sent and the Assistant Secretary, +. w.
Seward, spoke in his behalf fully endorsing
"my policy Old Granny Welles spoke,
and said enough to show that he is q mere
"lick spittle " to incoherent Andy. Secre.
tary Mccullough did not even keep within
the bounds of respectabiIity in his remarks,
but palavered his accidency, and maligned
and villiied Congress in manner really
disgusting He was frequently greeted with
loud applause, as the sentiments he express.
ed were just such as would find a hearty re.
sponse from the disloyal men composing the
serenaders. Postmaster General Dennison's
response was one Of those remarkable pro.
ductions which reminds one of the legerde-
main of the magician. 1t was on the princi.
pie of "now you see il and now you don't
see it," and would suit any party. It was
not calculated to do credit to the char
acter of the speaker for boldness or candor
in proclaiming his principles. A letter was
read from Secretary Harlan, declining to
have any part in the proceedings, and rather
intimating that he had no disposition to mix
in such company. Attorney General Speed
also gave them the cold shoulder and we
infer from his letter that he is not particu.
larly in love with "my policy" The
speech of the evening was that of tho Hon.
Edwin NJ. Stanton, our patriotic Secretary
of War. He spoke boldly and pointedly on
the occasion, and fearlessly declared himself
for the National Republican party, regard
less of all consequences. He discusses "my
policy" in such a clear and lucid manner,
that we present his speech in full to our
readers. 1t will amply repay an attentive
perusal 1t Is as follows:--
GENTLEMEN On the afternoon of Thurs
day, the nth of this month, received
note from the Secretary of the National
Union johnson Club, telling me il was the
design of the Association to serenade the
President and his Cabinet, and that l would
be called upon at my residence. Immedi-
atelY on the receipt of this note, reply was
seat to the Secretary expressing my thanks
for the compliment, and declining the honor
of the serenade. A similar compliment by
the patriotic association of the Soldiers and
Sailors League had previously been declined.
Two reasons induced my action. The
last time public speech was made from this
spot in answer to serenade was the night
of Friday, the 14th of April, 1865. At that
moment, when we were rejoicing over the
downfall Of the rebellion, one of its instru-
ments was numbering Mr.. Lincoln. You
will not think it strange that n complimenta-
ry occasion, iraught with such associations
should not be coveted. Besides, as the head
of department, my public duties have been
simply executive; and ii has always been
my aim to avoid trenching upon duties de-
volved upon others, and to avoid mischief
by premature discussion of matters entrusted
to the legislative branch OF the Government
and under its consideration. But the call of
this evening relieves me from any imputa
tion of intruding my opinions upon you
shall, therefore, declare them briefly and
plainly, and TO the end that they may be
neither accidentally misunderstood nor viii
fully misrepTesented, what it is my purpose
to say on this occasion has been written
After four years of war, the authority of
the Federal Government was established
throughout the whole territory of the United
States, at a sacrifice of over three hundred
thousand lives of loyal soldiers and a cost
OF more than three thousand millions OF dol
lars. Nearly every household in eighteen
loyal States is mourning its loved ones slain
by rebels; tax which may last for genera
tions is laid upon the food and Iaiment and
necessities of every family, and in the price
of their daily bread the twenty million in f.
habitants of the loyal States feel, and will
long continue to feel, what il cost 10 uphold
their government against rebellion.
The office of President devolved upon Mr..
johnson at the death OF Mr.. Lincoln, onthe
18th day of April, 1865. Thirteen days be-
fore that time, Richmond, the scat of the
Rebel Government, had been captured, and
six DAYS later the rebel commander.in chief,
Robert e. Lee, routed and vanquished, sur
I rendered his army as prisoners OF wal to
General Grant and the forces under his com
mand By these rapidly succeeding events
the Rebel government was ovorthTown, its
strength and hope exhausted, and in every
State its armed forces and official authorities
gave themselves up as prisoners of war.
The Presidents annual message to the pre-
sent Congress thus clearly states the condi.
J ton ofthe country and the question thereby
imposed upon him. .e5tgl1
~ found the States suffering from the