The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1866-09-05

lhe PRESIDENT here approached the spc
where Senator johnson was standing, an
said: trati va5l .at
I foasidlr tha prlaaedinga Of this Con
vention, sir, as more important than thos
OF any convention that ever assembled il
tho United States. [Great applause
When l look with my minds eye upol
that collection of citizens, coming togeth
er voluntarily and sitting in council will
ideas, with principles and views commen
surate with all The States and coexteusiv
with the whole people, and contrast i
with the collection Of gentlemen who ar,
trying to destroy the country, I regard i
as more important than any convention
that sat, at least since 1857. Loud cheers
l think l may say, also, the declarations
that were there made are equal with th,
Declaration Of Independence itself, and |
here to-day pronounce it second Decla
ration of.lndependence. Cries OF "Glori
ous," and the most enthusiastic and pro
longed applause ] ,.
Your address and declarations are mott.
ing more or less than a reafirmation Of
the Constitution Of the United States
[Cries Of "Good," and cheers. Yes,
will go further, and say that the declars
tions you have made, that the principles
you have enunciated in your address, arc
a second proclamation Of emancipation to
the people of the United States; [reuew.
ed applause for in proclaiming these
great truths you have laid down a Consli.
tutional platform upon which all can make
a-commou cause, and stand together fol
the restoration of the States and the pres
ervation of the Government, without ref
erence to party questions, which only is
The salvation Of the country, for our couu.
Ivy rises above all party considerations OF
influences, [Cries of "Good," and cheers |
How many are in the United States
that now require to be free that have the
shacklcs upon their limds, and bound as
risidly as though they were in fact in
81 very? ! repeat, then, your declaration
is the second proclamation OF emancipa.
tion to the people of the United States,
and offers a common ground upon which
all patriots can stand. Mr.. Chairman and
let me in this connection ask
you what have to gain more lIlan the ad.
Vancemant Of the public welfare |? [ au
as much opposed to the indulgence of eg
'tlsm as any one; but here, in CONVEX
sational manner, while formally receiving
The proceedings of this Convention, I may
be permitted again to ask what have 1 to
gain, consulting human ambition, more
han l have gained, except in one thing.
My race is nearly run. l have been
placed in the high office which l occupy
inder the Constitution Of the country,
md may say have held from lowest to
highest, almost every position to which a
nan may attain in our Government. Il
nave passed through every position from
IN alderman of a village to the Presidency,
lud surely, this should be enough 10 graf,
fy q reasonable ambition. If l wan ted
or if wished to perpetuate my
'wn power, how easy it would have been
o hold and weld that which was placed in
ny hands by measures called Freedmen's
Bureau bills. Laughter and applause.1
With an army which it placed at my
discretion, could have remained at the
)apilal of the United States, aud with lis
Ifty or sixty millions of appropriations at
ny disposal, with the machinery 10 be
7orked by my own hands, with my sahaps
nd dependents in every town and village,
nd then with the Civil Rights Bill fol-.
owing as an auxiliary, laughter, ] in con-
ection with all the other appliances Of |
be government, I could have proclaim.
d myself Dictator. [Cries Of "1'hats
rue" and "Thrce cheers for the Pleii,
ent."]
Bat, gentlemen, my pride and my am.
ition have been to occupy that position
hich retains all power in The hands of
lo people, [Great choering.l 1t is upon
nat have always relied-it is upon that
rely now. A voicc-"And the people
i'll not disappoint you'll And l repeat
lat neither The taunts nor jeers of Con.
ress, nor Of eliminating press, can
i've me from my purpose. [Great ap-
ause. l acknowledge no superior ex.
,pt my God, the author of my existence,
ID the people of the United States.-
Prolonged and enthusiastic cheering. ! 4 /
For the one l try to obey all his com.
and, as best can compatible with nv
'or humanity ;for the other, in politl.
i and representative sense the high be,
'sts of the people have always been re,
ected and obeyed by me. Loud cheers ! L
r. Chairman l have said more than I in.
nded. .+
For kind illusions to myself, contained
your address, and in resolutions adopt {
by the Convention, let me remark that !
this crisis, at this period Of my public j
e, ! hold above all price, and shall ever Q
cur with feelings Of profound gratifca. 8
N to the last resolution, containing the I
dorsement of the Convention, emana. I
lg spontaneously from the great mass d
the people. Loud cheers. s
l trust and hope that my future action {
ly be such that. you aud the Conven- It
IN may not regret the assurance of con- u
ence you have expressed of me. Cries h
"We are sure Of it."] Before separa- 0
g, my friends, one and all, COMMITTEES P
strangers, please accept my sincere 4
inks for the kipd manifestations of re-.
I'd and respect yop have exhibited on a
s occasion. 960 00a us 3 rwpsol .rn a
I repeat, | shall always continue to be q
ided by Q firm and conscientious con- {
tion Of duty, and that always gives one 8
rage under the Constitution, which l p