Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-12-04
The RADICAL "WELCoME.."


The republican members of Congress were
yesterday received at the. Capitol. 4 process
sion was formed about noon and marched
through Pennsylvania avenue and several
streets, arriving at the eastern portico Of the
Capitol between two and three o'clock, where
those composing the demonstration closed in a
solid mass. The procession consisted Of Loyal
Leagues, Radical Associations, the colored sol
dlers and sailors league, two companies Of col
ored troops, deputations from Baltimore and
Alexandria, &C.
There were about 3, 900 persons in the pro-
cesSion, and perhaps half that number in addi-
ton at the Capitol, making az auditory of some
5000 persons At least ole-halt of those in
the procession were colored. There was music
from both white and colored bands and banners
and embeuIs we're displayed and much enthu.
siasm was manifested. Judge Cartier, of the
Supreme Court Of Washington. delivered the
address of welcome, in which he praised Con-
gress next to the country's brave defenders for
saving the country. Mr.. Speaker Gelfax re-
Sponded in long address on behalf Of the
House Of Representatives. The tone of the
speech was bitter against the South for reject
ing the constitutional amendment.
Senator Yates, of ILL.,, responded On behalf
the Sena'o. He was very enthusiastic over the
the late election, and referred to the ID and
18th chapters or the Eplst'e to the Ephes'ans
for the eptaph Of the democratic party. Being
requested to quote the chapters, he respectful
~ begged to he excused, much to the amuse-
ment of every one around Being pressed still
further, and offered Bible, he said:
Wa1i IF Won inSiCt upGn hplinra Is
something in this style: ''Ye are without
Christ, being aliens to the Commonwealth Of
Israel Laughter Without the covenant
promise, having no hope and without God in
the world. !" Laughter and applause,
| MIR. Yates Was very emphatic in his opposi
ton to Southern admission, declaring that
those States should never come in until every
American should have the privilege of going
to any part Of this country and enjoying its
privileges.
Hon. VIM D. Kelly, of Pennsylvania, was
called for and spoke some time, and the crowd
soon after dispersed.
The welcoming banquet took place iii the
temporary Fair Building, corner Seventh street
| and Pennsylvania avenue At the five tables
were seated ladies and gentlemen to the num-
| Der Of 400
General Hiram Walbridge, Of New York.
| did the hcnors as president Of the feast. He
said the appeal which a rccreant President had
made had been met with Il stern rebuke on the
part Of the people, and it you'd become the
duty of Congress soon 70 put into the national
legislation the means of bringing the Southern
States into obedience and snboraination. Ii
The Executive should resist, it would become
The duty Of Congress to remove him from Office.
| ICheers Il the Southern States should con-
tinue to satthemseives up against Congress, 1t
would be its duty to appeal to the people or
those States without regard to color.
Thad. Stevens, Of Pennsylvania responded.
He attacked the President with vigor, decar-
ing that having been elevated into power
through an unexpected event visited upon
the nation for it's sins, he now wished to be king
instead Of President. Kisses. Mr.. Stevens
said the war WAS not over. Its main ana final
object was pursued ny the enemy with relent-
less energy. The object had at first been to
rue over at least half the country as q nation
Of slaves to introduce free trade and to humil-
late the North for its persistent advocacy OF
freedmen. The Offset now was to rule the
whole nation, by means OF an oligarchy, max
ing negroes and copperheads contribute TO the
increased power OF the South through the III
crease Of the number CT its votes IT. seize the
| rens of government, to Introduce free trade
and to break down the tree people of the
North During the war JEFF: Davis was COM
mander-in- chief OF the Rebel army, with Lee
as his chief adviser. Now, Andrew johnson
was their commander In chief, and poor old
Wool was their chief marshal adviser and tor
the navy they had Semms and Wells Laugh
ter The people were 10 decide now whether
they were to have Andrew johnson as PrcSi-
dent or as King, for they were told they had
no other choice left. Laughter. He wanted
the encouragement of the soldiers. The enc
my had the vantage ground, having possession
Of the White House, and was dispensing with
corrupt hand the vast patronage Of the ma
ton, and yet he had no fears. The army con-
sisted Of citizens as well as soldiers. 1t had a
| lew mercenary officers like the Stcedmans, the
Dixes and the Woods; but if the government
We're to order Grant, or Howard, OF Farragut
to do its tretchrrous work they won'd break
their swords rather han obey. With Sheri-
dan for leader, and 25 or 10000 coored SOL
al who might follow his lead But if the time
should ever come when the conspirators would
muster audacity equal to their ambition, and,
as once happened in England, attempt to turn
the regular army against the people, Congress
would not have to rely on the Southern freed
men alone. The men of the loyal North would
spring to their feet and unshealhe their wea-
pons, as when they heard the first booming
cannon of Sumter.
Let Congress be bold. and the soldiers Of
the last war would take care of the next, ana
the usurpcr who leads the hostile forces would
have time aud leisure to revise bis boosted
proclamation in one Of the embrasures Of
Fortress Monroe. Cheers. The usurper's
head would rest much more quietly, to be sure,
on ap-board and goose than when oppressed
with crown. Laughter; With less than
impartial suffrage the South, with his consent,
should never be reconstructed He would not
be content with such peurie work as univcr-
sal amnesty and universal suffrage.
Senators Howe and Wilson and Mr. Forney
also spoke, and the banquet did cot end till
nearly / @ clock.