Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-17
Speech of Mr.. Dooittle, In tho Philadel-
phia Convention.

Mr.. Doolittle on taking the chair said;
Gentlemen of the Convention, and fell
low-citizens ofthe Urited States, cheers
for the distinguished honor of being
called upon TO preside over the delibera-
tons Of this Convention, | sincerely
thank you. could have wished that its
responsibilities had fallen upon another,
BUT, relying upon that courtesy and gem
erons confidence which has called me to
the chair, | enter at once upon its duties
with desire for the success ofthat great
cause in which we are now engaged.
Among the great event of our own day,
this Convention in my opinion will prove
to be one of the greatest, for Peace hath
won here victories not less renowned
than War, [applausel and this Conyen-
ton is one of her victories; may not
say browning victory? Cheers For
the first time in six years National Con-
vention representing all the States is
now assembled Six long, weary years
As look back, oh what an interval of
blood, and agony, and tears. During
that period we have been engaged in the
most Gigantic civil war the world has
ever seen, wasting our resources, drench-
ing thousand battle-felds with frater-
nal blood, and carrying TO fraternal
graves our fathers, and brothers and sons,
by hundreds of thousands, but thanks to
be to Almighty God the war is over.
lCheers. The blessed peace has come
to an appearance which we bear witness
tell us peace has come and come to stay.
Loud cheers.
Here the report is so imperfectly
given as to be wholly unintelligible.
If they could have seen this body,
greater in numbers and in weight, char
acter and brain than has ever assembled
on this continent under one roof, melting
to tears = to tears of joy and gratitude.
Applause When it is remembered
that it was Massachusetts, and South
Carolina that, in the Convention which
framed the Constitution, voted against
the abolition of the slave trade, that il
was Massachusetts which, in 1872
through some of her men, taught the
doctrine of notification, which in South
Carolina revived in the form of secession,
again reasserting in 1860; when we call
to mind that South Carolina fired the first |
of Massachusetts poured out the first
blood in the struggle, and when / call to
mind all these memories, and at the same |
time ask the people of this country TO |
look in on this Convention and see those |
two old States Of the Union coming here |
in fraternal embrace, approaching the |
altar of our common country, |
ready TO make common sacrifice for the |
good of the whole | say again, could the |
whole people of the United States wit
ness all this, there would remain no fur
ther work for us to perform. Loud
cheers. If the people Of Massachusetts,
herself could have witnessed it, not
single member would be returned to
Congress from that State great applause
until he had given most sacred pledge |
hat he would do all in his power to rec.
ognize the equality and dignity of all the
States under the Constitution cheers]
including the sacred and inalienable
lights Of every State under the Constitu
ion to representation in both Houses of
Congress [Cheers Gentlemen ofthe
Convention, shall go into no argument
IN this occasion cries, go onl the dis
inguished gentleman who preceded me
Gen. Dix said all ! would desire to
Iay much better than | can say it, |
ndorse, and take great pleasure in in
lorsing all that he has said, sentence by
word by word Cheers
Fellow-citizens: Unfortunately, it may
De, the people ofthe whole United States
ire not here to witness what is now
therefore the greater work
IT'LL rests upon us. From this time
until the next election we should be
intiring in our exertions to see to it
hat the next Congress, if this shall
continue TO refuse this sacred right of
to equal States, that the
next Congress shall recognize that
light. Applause When that is done
he Union is restored cheersl, and
when the Union is restored we shall be
in my judgment, TO enter upon
/ higher and nobler career among the
nations of the earth than has ever yet
1een occupied by any Government upon
which the sun of heaven has ever shone
Loud cheers. We shall stand in the
Of liberty and civilization
We shall lead the way by the light Of our
example for all the other nations Of the
sarth. Great applause.
Gentlemen, without OBTAINING you any
onger, / shall enter at once upon the
iuiies Of the chair