The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-08-28

be free? have the shaekles upon their
limbs, and are bound as rigidly as though they
we're in fact in slavery Irepeat, then, that
| your declaration is the second Proclamation of
Emancipation to the people of the United States,
| and offers a common ground upon which all pa
Atriots can stand. [Applause. s.
Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, let me, in this
connection, ask what have TO gain more than
the advancement of the public welfare Z? am
as much opposed to the indulgence of egotism
as any one, but here 10 a conversational mann er,
while formally receiving the proceedings of this
Convention, | may be permitted again to ask,
what have l to gain, consulting human ambi-
ton, more than have gained? Except in one
| thing, my race is nearly run; l have been
placed in the high Office which l occupy under
| the Constitution of the country, and l may say
that have held, from lowest to highest, almost
every position to which man may attain in our
Government; aud surely, gentlemen, this should
be enough to crafty a reasonable ambition If
wanted authority, or if wished to perpetuate
my own power, how easy it would have been
| to hold and WELD that which was placed in my
hands by the measure called the Freedmen's
Bureau bill? daughter and applause) With
an army which it placed at my discretion,
could have remained at the capital of the nation,
at my disposal with the machinery to be work
ed by my satraps and dependents in every town
aud village, and then with the Civil Rights bill
following as an auxiliary-Qaughter)-- con-
nection. with all the other appliances of the
Government, [ could have proclaimed myself
dictator But, gentlemen, my pride and my
ambition have been to occupy that position
which retains all power 10 the hand of the peo-
Pile. 1t is upon that l have always relied; it is
upon that rely now; and repeat that neither
the taunts nor jeers of Congress, nor a subs-
died eliminating press can drive me from my
purpose. (Great applause I acknowledge
no superior except my God, the author Of my
existence and the people of the United States
prolonged and enthusiastic cheerng) For
the one try to obey all His commands as best
l can, compatible with my poor humanity; for
the other in political and representative sense
the high behests of the people have always been
respected and obeyed by me. (Applause)
Mr. Chairmain, have said more than IN
tended to say For the kind alluson to myself
contained in your address and in the resolutions,
adopted by the Convention, let me remark that
in this crisis, and at the present period of my
public life, [ hold above all price, aud shall
ever recur with feelings of profound-gratfcatio
to, the last resolution containing the endorse
ment of a Convention emanating spontaneous
from the~great mass of the people. I trust and
hope that my future actions will be such that
you and the Convention you represent may not
regret the assurance of confidence you have ex-
pressed
Before separating, my friends, one and all,
please accept MY sincere thanks for the kind
manifestations of regard and respect you have
exhibited on this occasion. repeat that
shall always continue to be guided by con-
scientous conviction of duty, and that always
gives courage under the Constitution which
have made my guide.
AT the conclusion of the Presidents remarks
three enthusiastic cheers were given for Andrew
johnson and three more for Gen. Grant.
The President then took position near the
door, opening into the hall, with Gen Grant by
his side, where, the gentlemen of the COM
mittee and members of the Convention passed
out, he grasped each one by the hand, and had
smile or cheering word for all. After which,
they passed on to take Gen. Grant by the hand
WoNDERFUL EscAPE.-A child in Ohio,
nine years old, in a state of somnambulsm,
arose from her bed one night last week at IL
O'Clock, walked to a fourth-story window and
jumped out. 10 her descent she struck one of
the iron rods used for the support of an awning,
This rod gave way and threw her out from the
house on the pavement; but she was unhurt,
save the scraping and blstering of her hand
and the knocking out of two or three of her
teeth. There were some scratches aud bruises
on her face, an abrasion of the skin on her
breast, and bruise On one of her knees.
A captain of sail boat on the Potomac the
other day got very drunk, and fell into the
river. Not knowing that he was in the Poto-
mac, but believing that he had fallen into the
hold of the vessel, and that it had filled with
water, he cried out "Come here, Jenny, and
steer the boat while bail her out"