The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-09-18
the CIeveIaiIi Convention.

anu go@Al1oESa GOuVGnLlOUe III response 70
a call from those favorable to the policy
of President johnson and the action of
the Philadelphia Convention of August
18th, met in this city to-day. A paVil-
ion $50 feet in length by 90 in breadth
had been erected in the park for the use
of the Convention. AT three O'Clock
the delegation entered, preceded by a
band of music, and were seated; after
which the crowd from the outside we're
admitted, ahd filled the tent to its ut
most capacity. Previous to the organ
ization, quite a spirited scene was wit
messed; the delegations rising and
cheering successfully, the Old Flag,
Generals Custer, Rousseau, Wool and
Metcalf, the Constitution, the Thirty
six States and Andy johnson, and after
a brief breathing spell, General Grant,
Secretary Seward, the American army,
and General Steedman and Governor
Bramlette, of Kentucky, AS the cheer
ing was called for and given in each
case, there was a scene of wild enthusi-
asm, delegates and spectators rising
and swinging their hats, and shouting
most Justify.
BY previous arrangement Governor
Bramlette nominated Majors
Wool, as the Oldest Major-Gfeneral in
the United States and probably in the
world, as temporary President. Gen.
Wool was received with loud cheers,
anu oAhAGo50A G44C SOANOAAAA0A ca AOA-
lows:
GEN. wooL's SPEECH.
GENTLEMEN: A grateful heart thanks
You for your cheering welcome. A more
hattering and agreeable position could
not have been assigned to me than the
one just conferred as presiding officer,
although but temporarily, over this as
semblage of patriots and heroes, the
true defenders of their country and the
Union. Be assured it will ever be re-
membered and appreciated as the most
precious incident of a long military
career.
The object of the great military con-
Vention, II understand it correctly, is
to consider the principles enunciated
by the National Union Convention at
Philadelphia and the restoring policy OF
President Johnson. On these subjects
would simply remark that the sooner
Congress recognizes the States declared
by majority of its members to be out
of the Union as constituent parts of the
Union and admits their loyal represent
ativeS to seats in the Halls of Congress
and permits them to participate in the
national legislation of the country, the
sooner will be allayed the fears and
apprehensions of the people of the dan
gers which again menace the peace OF
the country and the perpetuity of the
Union.
With the most bitter and vindictive
feelings war of words for thirty years
was carried on between the Northern
Radical AbolitionistS and the slave
holders of the Southern States. Every
thing was done and said topromote and
keep alive the controversy. 1t finally
eliminated in a rebellion in the spring
of 1861, which, for atrocity, the sacrf-
flee of lives, the expenditure of UNI
told millions of money, the loss OF
property for following by pestilence,
famine and desolRtion, has no parallel
In the history of nations. This bloody
and desolating contest was brought to
a 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 were permitted I'M
der parole to return to their homes, and
there await the orders of the United
States Government, the officers and sol
diers of their armies pledging them.
selves to become true and faithful sup
porters of the Constitution and the laws
of the United States. Such were the
terrible results of four years war
caused by the institution of slavery.
A few days after the surrender of Lee
and his army President Lincoln was
l'assassinated. This atrocious crime
greatly mourned by the nation, placed
Vice President johnson in the presi-
dental chair. His elevation was hail
ed by reclamation throughout the land
and this too; because of his love and
devotion to his country and his bold.
ness while Senator of the United States
in advocating the preservation of the
Union In opposition to every other
Southern Senator, while few men
North or South, were subjected to great.
er sacrifices on account of patriotism
1, 81 V,N,I ~
his property and driven from his home
he returned again and by his indomi-
table energy and perseverance with
other patriots of his State reclaimed
Tennessee from treason and rebellion
This bold and daring friend of the
Union can be no traitor; yet, strange as
IL NAV appear, he is denounced as o
members of the Republican party with
impeachment. 1t may be asked with
propFiety, what has President Johnson
done that he should bedenonnced as q
traitor, and threatened with impeach-
ment2 Is it for anything more thar
the exercise of the most noble and gen,
erous effort TO conciliate and bring back
into the folds of the Union a brave PEG.
pie, and make the United States what
they should be, u united, great people
| It ought not to be forgotten that the
curse of slavery, which engendered the
rebellion, has been removed. Three OF
four millions OF slaves have been de-
clared free by an amendment of the
| Constitution. Those of the Southern
States most interested in the abolition
| of slavery, which deprived them of {
large amount of what they called pro
perty, and which they had considered
| all-important to their interest and wei.
fare generally, submitted TO the amend
ment. Those who prepared the amend
ment omitted to guard against what
would follow.
When too late it was discovered tina
the freeing of four millions of slave:
4 would increase the southern represen
tation in Congress from % to 80 Repre-
| sentatiVes. This was to be overcome les
the Abolition radicals should lose theil
control of the Governmentb by an act o
Congress, or another amendment of TIT
Constitution. Failing in these efforts
/ all that bitterness of feeling has beef
revived which existed for 80 years be
tween the radicals OF the East ant
North and the Southern shareholders.
4 Another civil war Is foreshadowe,
unless the freedmen are placed on al
equality with their previous masters
/ If this cannot be accomplished the rad
zeal partizans, with a raging thirst TO
i blood and plumber, are again ready 4
invade the Southern States and la,
waste the country not already desola
torch in the other.
These revengeful partizans woulC
leave their country bowling wilder
ness for the want of more Victims L
crafty an unsparing cruelty. II the,
Should succeed in infiieting on tn
country another war it would be NOR
terrible than the war from which W
have Just emerged. It could not b
confined to the Southern States, bu
would extend itself the length an