Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-08-24

that ever assembled in the United States.
l1re"t aPPlaure.l When / look with NV l.
mtnd's eye upon that collection of citizens
coming together voluntarily, and sitting in
council with ideas. with principles and views,
commensurate with all the Slater, and Cock
ten'ive with the whole people, and contrast it. |
with The commotion of persons who are irving |
to destroy tho country, regard it more i'm
portant than any convention that has sat at
least since 1887. [Renewed applause ! / |
think that may also say that the declarations
that were there made are equal TO the Declara-
ton oi independence itself. I here, to-day.
pronounce them second Declaration Of Indc.
pendence. tCrics or"G lorious," and a most
enthusiastic and prolonged applauae.] Your
address and declarations are nothing more tl,un
reiterution of the Constitution of the United
States Yes, will go father and say that The
declarations you have nade-that tho princi
pies you have made enunciated in your al-
dresr-are second proclamation of emancpa
| ,ion to the people Of the United States, Ire
newed and enthusiastic applause for in pro-
claiming and rc.proclaiming these great truths
| you have laid down n constitutional n,atforn,
/ upon which all con make common cause and
States anI preservation of the Government.
without reference to party. Tho question on.
~ Is the salvation If the country--for our
county rises above all party considerations.
| How mnny are there in the United States thct
now require t" he free? They have the
sh"ekles upon their limbs, and are bound as
rg'iiy as though they were in fact in slavery.
repeat, Then, that yonr declaration is The Sc
cond proclamation of emancipation TO the
!, people OF tho United States, and offers COIN
| mon ground upon which MI parties can s,snl.
| (Appl"use.l
Mr. Charruan and gentleman, let ME, in
this connection, nsk what have to gain more
than the Advancement Of the public welfare
am so mrch opposed to the indulgence Of
egotism ns my one, but live in conversation.
nj manner. While formally receiving tho pro-
ceedings OF this Convention, may he permit
ted again to ask what have to gain. consult
ing human ambition. more than / have gained,
excepting one thngf My race is nearly run.
have been placed III the high office which |
occupy under the Constitution Of the country.
and m"y soy That have heidi, om the low.
est 70 The h'ghes.-nlmost every position to
which mam n,ny attain in our Government :;
and surely, gentleman. This should be enough
TO CRAFTY Il reasonable ambition If WANTED
authority, or il wished TO perpcluate my
own power, how ensy it. would have been 10
hold and WELL that which was placed in my
hands by The measure called the Freedmen +.
l'ure"u b''l prolonged applause With
an army which it pl"red at my disposal, !
h:i " q rem al a 4 l,n a.
tion-und with fifty or sixty millions OF arpro
pratlons AT r"y disposal, with the muchiu-ry
to he worked hy my satraps md drpcudau,s
IN every town aud village and then wik the
civil rights till following as On auxiliary.
Laughter, in connection with all the other np-
plianccs Of the Government. l could have pro-
claimed mJs, II dictator. But gentlemen, my
pride anl my ambition have been 10 OCCUPY
that position which leaves all power in the
hands Of the PEOPLE 1t is upon that ! hnv.
aiways relied; 1t is upon that ! rely now
And repeat. TINT neither the plandiis or jeer.
OF Congress, nor Of Il subsidized calumnuliny
Pres'. can drive Inc from my principles
Great al'plnu.-. | acknow ledg. no snr-, H.,
except my God. the auibor Of existence. and
the people Of tho United States. loud anJ
prolonged applause anI che-rs. For the QUE
| try to obey MI his commands ns brs, | can
compatible with my poor humanity; for the
other. in political and repre- sentative rense
the high behcsts o! the people have Away,
been resperteclod and ob-ye.l by me. (Ap
plnu.e.
Mr.. Chairman. have said more than haC
anticipated; aud for the kind nlluslun TO my
self contained in your address, and ip the rcso
lutIons adopted by the convention, let me re
mark that III this crisis, and at the present Pc
riod of my public lfs hold above all price
and shall ever recur with feelings Of profound
qualification to the lost resolution, containing
the endorsement OF q Convention emanat inl
spontaneously from the great ASS Of the pso
pie. trust and hope that my future action
may be such tha, you, and the Convention YOU
represent may not regret the assurance OF con
fidence you have expressed.
Before separating, my friends, one and all
please accept my sincere thanks for the kiud
manifestations Of regard and respect you have
exhibited on this occasion. repeat, that ]
shall always continue to be guided BY o con
scientious conviction Of duty THAT always
gives one courage. under the Constitution,
which have made my guido.
At the conclusion Of the Presidents remarks,
three enthusiastic cheers were were given for
Andrew johnson and three more for Gen.
Grant The President then took o position
near the door opening into the hall. with Gen.
Grant by his side, where as tho gentlemen OF
the Committee and members of the Convention
passed out he grasped each by the hand.
had smile or q cheering word for all. After
which they passed Oh to take Gen. Graut by
the hand.
! WAsBINaroN, August 20-The Soldier
Gon ventiob T.lics 1vi H., -ov>ln.;v.tr .>t