The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-08-23

question only is the salvation Of the country-for
our country rises above all party considerations
How many urc there in the United States that now
require to be free? They have the shackles upon
their limbs and ore bound as rigidly as though
they were in fact in slavery repeat, then, that
your declaration is the second proclamation of
emancipation to tie people of the United States
and offers o common ground upon which all parties
can stand.
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen, let me, in tins
connection, ask what have to gain more than THO
advancement of the public welfare? am as mucN
opposed to the indulgence of egotisin as any one'
but live in conversational manner nh'ic for-
mally receiving the proceedings of this Conven-
tion may be permitted again TO ask what have |
to gain, consulting human ambition, more than l
have gained, excepting one thing! My race is
nearly run have been placed in the high Office
which occupy under the Constitution of the coun-
try, and may sag that have held-from the lowest
to the hghest-almost every position to which q
man may attain in our Government; and surely,
gentlemen, this Should be enough to crafty rea-
sonable ambition. If 1 wanted authority, or if
wished to perpctuate my own power, how easy it
placed in my hands by the measure called the
Freedmens Bureau bill. With an army which it
placed at my disposal, could have remained at
the capital Of the nation-and with fifty or sixty
millions of appropriations at my disposal, with the
machinery to be worked by my satraps and do
low md 1r-i11 f1ap
with the civil rights bill following as an auxiliary,
in connection with all tho other appliances of the
Government, could have proclaimed myself die
tator. But, gentlemen, my pride and my ambition
have been 10 occupy that position which leaves all
power in the hands OF the people. 1t is upon that
And l repeat, that neither the plauds or jcers
of Congress, nor of a subsidized eliminating
press, can drive me from my principles. l ac-
knowledge no supcrior-cxcept my God, the au-
thor of my existence, and the people of the Uni
ted States. For the onc try to obey all his conf
mands as best can, compatible with my poor hu-
inanity for the other in . political and repre-
sentative sensc, the high behests of the people
have always been respected and obeyed by me.
MIR. Chairman, have said more than had an
teipated; and for the kind alluson to myself con-
tanned in your address, and in the resolutions
adopted by the Convention, let mo remark, that
in this crisis and at the present period of my pub
lie life, hold above all price, and shall ever recur
with feelings of profound qualification to the last
resolution, containing the endorsement of Con-
ventiOn emanating spontaneously from the great
mass of the people. I trust aud hope that my fu
turc action may be such that you, and tho Ccnycn-
tion you represent may not regret the assurance
of confidence you have expressed
Before separating, my friends, one and oil,
please accept my sincere thanks for the kind man
ifestations of regard and respect you have exhibi
ted on this occasion. repeat, that shall always
continue to be guided by conscientious convic-
tion of duty that always gives one courage, under
tho Constitution, which have made my guide.
At the conclusion Of the Presidents remarks
three enthusiastic cheers we're given for Andrew
Johnson and three more for Gen. Grant. The
President then took position near the door open
ing into the hall, with Gen. Grant by his side,
where, as the gentlemen of tho Committee and
members of the Convention passed out, he grasped
each by the hand, anM had smilo or q cheering
word for all After which they passed on 10 take
Gen. Grant by The hand.