The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-08-23

seo.n hay. ~. Il e e. 2: e.
fry, We have been denounced m the most
|ls Ssa has u ks~s thu thu -
lie press. What. gentleman, has been your
and my sin? What has been the cause OF
Daring & Stand By Tie to1stitsSion ofcur
fathers. [Cheers. =
The Presided here approached the spo,
where Senator johnson was standing and
sid: ~ consider theProee>din& on this
WbveAtion, air. asmorA i'm poStaAt lhan hose
of any Convention that ever assembled ia the
United States. Great applause. When
look with my minds eye upon that collesk
ion of citizens, coming together voluntaiy
and sitting in council with ideas, with princi-
pies, aAd views conmensnfAta NiE all the
States; ana coextenfve With {hs Whole PEG.
pie, and contrast it with the collection Of
gentlemen who are trying to destroy the coun.
try. Iregard it "a more important than any
Convention that has sat, at least, since 1887.
Loud cheers.
II think may say also that the dechrA>
irons that were there made are equal to the
Declaration of Independence itself, and here
to- day pronounce it second Declaration oil
Independence .[Cries of Glorious and
most enthusiastic prolonged applause. You,
address and declarations are nothing more
nor less than reafiirmation of the Constitu-
ton of the United States. Zones Of good
and cheers. Yes will go father, and say
that the declaration you have made, that the
principles you have enunciated in your ad-
dress are a second proclamation of emanci-
patton to the people Of the United States.
Renewed applause. For, in proclaming
and -proclaming these great trnths you
have aid down constitutional platform upon
which all can make common cause and stand
together for the restoration of the States and
preservation of the Government, without ref,
erepce 10 party. The question only ia the
salvation Of the country, for our country rises
above all party considerations or influences
Cries of good ard cheers.
How many are in the United States that
now require to be free that bear he shackles
npon their limbs and are bound as rigdly a.
though they we're in fact in slavery? | repeat
then, that your declaration in the second
proclamation to the people of the United
States, and offers common ground upon
which all patriots can stand.
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen-Let me ia
this connection ask you who has done more
FOR The Advancement Of the public welfare
than /? | am as much opposed to indulgence
of egatism as any one, but here in coayer-
'setionsi manner, while formally receiving the
proceedings of this Convention, | may be per
mitted to ask what have to gain in human
ambition more than have gained? My race
is nearly run. have been placed in high
office which occupy under the Constitution,
and may say have held almost every posi-.
ton from the lowest to the highest which a
man may attain in your government. have
passed through every position, from sldeynas
Of village to .La Presidency, and surely,
gentlemen, this shonld BID enough to satisfy
reasonable ambition. LII | wanted Office, or
wished 10 perpetuate my own power, how
easy it would have been to hold andwield
that which was placed in my hands BY the
measures called Freedmens Bureau.
[ Laughter and appiause.j With an army
which it placed at my disposal, could have
at the capital OF the United States,
and with its S5o,o00, 90 or $50, 600, 900 pfap'
at my disposal, with the machine
ry to be worked by my own hands. with M
satraps ard dependents in every town and
village, and then with the Civil Rights Bill
ss auxiliary, laughter in connee
lion with all the other appliances OF Govern
ment | could have claimed myself Dictator.
[ Cries of That's true and Three cheers
for the President."] But, gentlemen, my
pride and my ambition have been to occupy
that position which retains all power In the
hands of the people lGreat eheering.] 1t
is upon that have always relied; it is upon
that rely now. A voice. And the people
will not disappoint you. And | repeat
that neither the threats nor jeers of Congress,
pf eliminating press. Gan drive me from
my purpose. / acknowledge no SUPERIOR ex-
rars ny God, tue authotof my existence,
aud the people of the United States. lPros
longed and enthusiastic cheering. For the
pne, try to obey all his commands as best |
can, compatible with my poor humanity; for
The other, in a political and representative
sense the high behests OF the people have al,
ways been respected aud oheyed by me-
Loud cheers.
Mr.. Chairman, I have said more than in
tended. For kind illusions to myself con-
tanned in your address and resolutions adop>
ted BY the Convention, let me remark that in
The crisis and at this period Of my public life
hold above all price, aud shall ever recur
with feelings Of profound Qualification, TO the
last resolution containing The endorsement of
the Convention, emanating spontap eously
from the great mass Of the people. Loud
cheers | hope that my future action may
be such that you and the Convention may not
regret the assurances you have expressed Of
me- Cries of ave are sure Of il. Be.
fore parting, my friends, one and all, COM
mi,tee and strangers, please accept ray thanks
e.. the liad manifestations for the regard
Ind respect you have exhibited on this occa>
Sion. repeat | shall always continue to'be
guided by firm and conscientious conviction
Of duty. and that always gives the courage,
under the Constitution, which | make my
guide.