American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-10-06
THE CLEVELAND CONVENTION.
Speech of Gen. Wool.

flattering and agreeable position cou
not have been assigned to me than Il
one just conferred as presiding officsr, a
though temporarily, over this assembl
Of patriots and hero.s. the true defender
Of their country and the Union. Be al
sured it will ever be remembered and az
preciated as the most precious incident
a long military career.
The object Of this great military con
vention. il / understand it correctly, is I
consider the principles enunciated By III
! National Union Consention at. Pbiladvl
phia ard the restoration policy of Presi
dent Johnson. On these subjects woul,
simply remark that the Congress recog
nizes the States declared by majority G
its members TO be out of the Union.
we admit their loyal Representatives tt
seats in the Halls Of Congress and perni
them to participate in the National legis
lation Of the country, the sooner will b.
allayed the fears and apprehensions o
the people Of the dangers which agar
menace the peace Of the country and til.
perpetui,y Of the Union. With the most
vindictive feeling war Of words iol
thirty years was carried on between the
Northern Radical Abolitionists and the
slave holders Of the Southern States.
Everything was done and said to pro.
mote and keep alive the controversy. Ii
finally eliminated in a rebellion in the
spring Of 1861, which for atrocity, the
sacrifice OF lives. the expenditure Of un>
told millions of money, the loss Of pro-
perty, followed by pestilence, famine and
desolation, has no parallel in the history
Of nations. This bloody and desola,ing
contest was brought TO close in the
spring OF 1865, when the rebels. unable
longer to carry on the war. surrendered
with their armies to our gallant Generals
Grant, Sherman and others. The rebel
armies we're permitted under parole to
return to their homes, and there await
the orders Of the U. S. Government, the
officers and soldiers of the armies pledg.
ing themselves to become true and faith
ful supporters Of the constitution and the
i~-s Of tho Initial o,~'as Such were
the terrible result of a four years war.
caused by the institution of slavery. A
few days after the surrender Of Lee and
his army, President Lincoln was assas.
sinated. This atrocious crime. greatly
mourned by the nation. placed Vice.
President johnson in the Presidential
chair. His elevation was hailed by accla
nation throughout the land, and this, too.
because Of his love and devotion to bis
country, and bis boldness while
Senator of the United States in ad
VocatiDg the preservation OF the
Union. in opposition to every other
Southern Senator who advocated disso
ution. Few men. North or South, were
subjected to greater sacrifices on account
If his patriotism than Andrew johnson
md although plundered Of his property
md driven from his home, be returned
Igain, and by bis indomita5le energy and
with the other patriots Of
lis State, reclaimed Tennessee from tres.
on and rebellion. This bold and daring
riend Of the Union can be no traitor.
Yet, strange as it may appear. be is de-
Iounced as a traitor, and threatened by |
he radical members Of the Republican
'arty with impeachment 1t may be
sked with propriety; What has Presi.
lent johnson done that be should be de.
ounced as traitor, and threatened with
Is it fol anything more
han the exercise OF the most noble and
'snerous efforts to concliate and bring
'sek Into the folds OF the Union brave
'eople, and make the United States what
hey should be. united, great people
t ought not to be forgotten that slavery,
Ibich engendered the rebellion, has been
emoved. Three or four millions Of
laves have been declared free BY an
mendment Of the constitution. Those
the Southern States most interested in
ie abolition Of slavery. which deprived
lem Of large amount Of what they
.lled property. which they bad consid
ed all imporlsnt TO their interests aud 4
elfare. quietly submitted to the amend U
eut. Those who prepsted the amend I
ent omitted 10 guard against What ?
Ould follow. When too late, Il vas dis Z
vered that the freeing Of four millions .
slaves would increase the Southern '
in Congress some twenty '
re Representatives. This was to be s
'ereome, lest the Abolition Radicals 8
ould lose their control Of The Govern a
ent, BY an &C. Of Congress or another Y
nendueni Of the constitution. Failing 9
these efforts, all that bitterness Of feel b
9 has been revived which existed fer a
irty years between the Radicals OF the q
'st and North and Southern slave /.