The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-18

,IO
of and action OF the Philadelphia Convention,
August the 14th, met in this city to-day pavil-
Ion, 100 feet in length by go in breadth, had been
erected In the park for the use of the Convention,
and at Q O'Clock the delegations entered preceded
by band of music, and were seated; after which
the crowd from the outside was admitted, and
hlied the tent to its utmost capacity.
Previous to the organization quite a spirited
scene was witnessed-the delegations rising and
cheering with all their might SUCCESSFULLY for the
"Old Flag and Generals Custer, Rousseau, Wool
and Mcclellan; the Constitution the thirty six
States and Andy Johnson and after brief breath
ing spell, for Grant, Secretary Seward, the Ameri-
can Army and General Steadman and Gov. Bram-
lette, of Kentucky.
As the cheering was called for and given in each
case, there was a scene Of the widest enthusiasm
the delegates and spectators rising and swinging
their hats and shouting most vigorously.
BY previous arrangement Governor Bramlette
nominated Major General John Z. Wool, as the
Oldest Major General in the United States, and
probably in the world, as the temporary President
General Wool was received with loud cheers,
and addressed the Convention as follows
Gentlemen: greatful heart thanks you for
your cheering welcome. A more hattering and
cheering position could not have been assigned to
me than the one just conferred, as presiding off,
Ger, although but temporarily, over this assemblage
of patriots and heroes-the true defenders of their
country and the Union. Be assured it will ever
be remembered as the most precious incident of a
long military career The object of this great mil
1tary Convention, If understand IL correctly, is
TO consider the principles demonstrated by the
National Union Convention at Philadelphia, and
the restoration policy of President johnson. On
these subjects l would simply remark that the
sooner Congress recognizes the States declared by
a majority of its members to be out of the Union
constituted parts of the Union, and admit their
loyal representatives to seats in the halls of Con-
gress, and permit them to participate in the a
tonai legislation of the country the sooner will
be allayed the fears and apprehensons of the peo-
pie, of the dangers which again menace the peace
of the country and the perpetuity of the Union.
With the most bitter and vindictive feelings
war of words for thirty years was carried on be-
tween the northern radical abolitionits and the
Shareholders of the southern States. Everythn
was done and said to promote and keep alive the
controversy. 1t finally eliminated in rebellion
tce of I,Ves the he eSneStnre of antod miions Of
money, the loss OF property, followed by pesti-
lence, famine and desolation has no parallel in
the history of nations
This bloody and desolating war was brought to
close in the spring of 1865, when the rebels,
able longer to carry the war, surrendered
with their armies to our gallant Generals Grant
Sherman and others. The rebel armies were per-
mited, under parole, to return their homes, and
there await the orders of the United STATES
ment, the officers and soldiers of their armies
pledging themselves to become true and faithful
supporters of the Constitution and the laws OF the
United States Such were the terrible results of a
four years war, caused by the institution of sla-
very.
A few days after the surrender of Lee and his
army, President Lincoln was assassnated. This
atrocious crime, greatly mourned by the nation,
placed Vice President johnson in the Presidential
chair. His elevation was hailed by acclamation
throughout the land, and this, too because of his
love and devotion to his country and mis- boldness
while Senator of the United States in advocating
the preservation OF the Union in opposition TO
every other southern Senator. Few men, north or
south, were subjected to greater sacrifices on ac-
count of patriotism than Andrew johnson; and
although plundered of his property and driven
from his home he returned again, and by his in
domtable energy and perseverance, with other
patriots of his State, reclaimed Tennessee from
treason and rebellion.
This bold and daring friend Of the Union can be
no traitor But, strange as 1t may appear, he is
denounced as traitor and threatened by the radi-
cal members of the Republican party with i'm
peachment. 1t may be asked with propriety,
what has President Johnson done that he should
be denounced as traitor, and threatened with i'm.
parchment? Is it for anything more than for the
exercise of the most noble and generous efforts tc
conciiate and bring back into the folds of the
Union a brave people, and make the United States
what they should be-a united, great people
II ought not to be forgotten that the cause
slavery which engendered the rebellion has beer
removed. Three or four millions of slaves had beer
declared free by amendment of the Constitution
Those of the southern States most interested in the
abolition of slavery, which deprived them of {
large amount of what they called property, anc
which they had considered all important TO theil
interests and welfare, Quietly submitted to the
amendment Those who prepared the amendmen
omitted to guard against what would follow wheI
too late.
slaves would increase the southern representation
in Congress- from twenty five to thirty Represen
tatives. This was 10 be overcome, lest the aboli
tion radicals should lose their control OF the gov
ernment You ask of Congress another amen d
ment of the Constitution. Failing in these efforts
all that bitterness of feeling has been revived
which existed for thirty years between the radical
of the east and north and southern Shareholders
Another civil war is toreshadewed unless IN
freedmen are placed on an equality with thei
previous masters. II this cannot be accomplished
radicals partisans, with raging thirst for bloo
and plunder, are again ready to invade the south
ern States and lay waste the territory not alread
desolated With the sword on the one hand an
the torch on the other these revengeful partisan
would leave their country bowling wilderness 10
the want of more victories to crafty an unsparln
cruelty. If they should succeed in inhicting Of
the country another war, it would be more terrt6l
than the one from which we have Just emerged.
could not be confined 10 the southern States, bu
would extend itself over the length and breadth {
the United States, and only close with the over
throw OF the best government ever devised, an
the destruction of the finest country on the fac
If such should be the fate our great republica
empire the cause must not be sought for in ou
military camps, but in the forum, thronged with
fammatory orators and aspiring demagogues, wit
souls dead to their countrys honor and spoile
with corruption. need not tell this great Assem-
blaRe of officers, soldiers and sailors, most
whom have been engaged in many periloI
battles defending their country and their couI
trys honor, that war is a great evil, lndee
the greatest that can befall any country
peopie IL has ever been the curse Of natioI
and the cause of all the oppression imposed on u
people of Europe II You would guard your on
free and happy and prosperous country from o.
preston and oppressive taxes, beware now "
encourage war Encourage not demagogues wn
to Rratlfy ambition or revenge would drencn the
country in blood The loss OF liberty eomnenS nc
with oppression, and war follows oppression. ~
United States as conquerors can afford TO DO u
and magnanimous; the brave are always Lnercid
and generous. As President Johnson salo, "N
have had war enough; let there be peace"
Recollect that the recent rebellion, engendereo
radical abolitonists and those slaVenoloers, leaY
the northern States with more than hunur
thousand pensioners, besides thousands anu te
of thousands OF widows and orphans 10 we
over the graves of their onlV protectors ana