Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-08-18

my sim whathas been the cause OF our Of
feaoing. 1 will tell You barring 70 stSaA by
Senator John sos.p 4 eonsiderthe proceedrngs
Of this Con ven ton. sir, as NOR i por.sn "a so
thoee Of any con ent.on that ever Assembled
u ,o sos S UI,s a Is sss aPan asst ,a nso
ton OF citizens coming together voluntarily.
and sitting IN council with ideas, with
principles, and views eommeosrrAte with
the whole people. ana csatrsst
with the collection Of gentiemen. who
are trying 20 destroy the country, regard a.
AZ as more impor,a:' than any CosysraSs ina
plause.l think may also saw that the decls
lions that were "a 81 were there made are eqe ~
20 the Declafation Of lndepen denoe iIselt and
4 here to-caypronounce them a second Decla-
ration of Independence lCries OF sCfiorious.
ana most es u usias,ic and PROLONGED applause
Your address and declarations are nothing
stituiion OF the Tinted. States.s fCr,es OF
'Good," and applause
Yes, will 20 farther and say that the de-
eiaraaons you have made. that the principles
You have enunciated in your address are q
second proclamation OF emancipation 20 thr
people of the United States. Irene wed APP
plausel Tor IN proclaIming and reproclaim-
ing these great truths. YOU have laid down q
constitutional platform upon which all can
make common cause, and stand united to
gether for the restoration OF the States ard
out reference to party. The question only
is the salvation of the country: for our
country rises above all party consideration
or influences. Cries Of sstiood,'' and ap-
piause.l How many are there IN the United
States thas now require 10 h. free They have
the shackles upon their limbs and are bound
rIgidly as though they were in fact In slavery
repeat then that your declaration is the sec
ord Proclams ton of Emancipation 10 the peo.
pie of the United States. and Offers "A commot
ground upon which all patriots can sand
lApplause.
Mr. Chairman and gentlemen. let me in thi
connection ask what have l 10 gain more tina
the Advancement VI the public welfare a.
as much opposed 10 the indulgence of egotIs
as any one. but here. In con versational ma
ner, while formally receiving the proceedin
of this Convention, may be permitted aga
to ask what have 1 to gain. ecnsuitE
human ambition. more than i have gain.
except in one thing, MY race
nearly run. 1 have been placed in the hh
office which L occupy under the Osn'-
have held from lowest to highest almost c-y
position 10 which man may attain IN ur
Government. have passed through cry
position from Alderman OF q village tcte
PRESIDENCY OF the United States. AND sun.
&C. tlemen, this should be enough 10 CRAFTY,
II ;-sonable ambition.
III wanted authority, or if / wished TO ~
petuate nv own power. how easy IL wul
have been to hold and WELD that which va
placed in my hands by tie measure called IN
Freedmens Bureau bill. daughter ard AZ
~
my discretion i could have remained a. tn
Capital Of the Nation, and with fifty or sINt
millions of appropriations az my dispose
with the machinery 10 be worked by m
satraps and dependents in every town an
village. and then with TIE Civil Rights bii
following as an auxiliary, iaughter.l in con
nec.ion with all the other appliances of tn
Government, L could have proclaimed mysel
dicta'or. ls.Thars true" and applause.
But, gentlemen, my pride and nv ambition
/ have been to occupy that position, which re
3 i'm he of ne
| lGreat cheering Ii rs upon that L have al
ways relied; il is upon that L rely now, a
voice-"And the people will not disappoIn
you; and Il repeat that neither the taunts nor
PEERS of Congress, nor of a Subsidized calum-
mating press, can drive me from NJ purpose
iGreat applause.
the author Of my existence, and the people o.
me United States. prolonged and enthusi-
asuc cheering.l For the one, i try 20 obey ali
His commands as best can, compatible with
my Door humanity. Fer the other, in politi-
cal and representative sense, the high behests
, OF the people have always been res p ected ana
obeyed by me. (AppIause.
Mr.. Chairman, i have said more than had
intended TO saw For the kind aIlusion 20 nv
self. con tanned IN your address and in the res
outlons adopted by the Convention, let me
remark that ia this crisis, and AT the present
period OF my public life, hold above all price,
and shall ever recur with feelings OF profound
qualification TO the laet resolution Containing
the Endorsement of Convention emanating
pie. 1 trust and hope that my future action
may be such that You and the Con vention you
represent may not regret the assurance of con-
ndence you have expressed. I'VE are sure
Of it,
Before separating, my friends, one and ell,
please accept my sincere thanks for the hnd
manifestations of regard ar d respect Won have
exhibited ON this occasion. i repeat THAI I
snail always continue 10 be guided by a con-
scientous conviction of duty-(and that al
ways gains one courare)-under the Constitu
ton, which l have made my guide.
Al the conclusion OF he Presidents remarks
three enthusiastic cheers Were given for An
drew johnson and three more Cor General
Grant.
The President then took position near the
door opening into the hall, with General Grant
by his side, where, the gentlemen of the
committee and members of the Con ventiou
passed ont. he grasped each by the hand and
had smile or a cheering word for all: After
which they passed on 20 take General Grant
by the hand.