Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-08-28
gHARLEsToWN. VIRGINIA TUESDAY AUGUST 28 1866


tion Of the Constitution of the United States.
Yes, go farther, aud say that the declara-
tons you have made, the principles yon have
enunciated in your address, are a.second pro-
clamation of emancipation to the people of
the United States, Renewed applause.
For in procaiming and reproclaiming these
great truths you have laid down a constitu-
tional platform upon which all can mako
common cause, and stand united together
for the restoration of the States aud the pre-
servation ofthe Government without reference
to party. The only question is the salvation
of the country; for our country rises above
all party considerations or influences How
many are there in the United States that
now require to be free? They have the
shackles upon their limbs, and are bound as
rigidly as though they we're in fact in slavery.
l repeat. then, that your declaration is the
second proclamation of emancipation to the
people of the United States, and offers
common ground upon which all parties can
stand. [.Applause.l
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen, let me, in this
connection, ask what have to gain more than
the advancement of the public welfare? |
am much opposed to the indulgence of
egotism as any one but here, i'll constitu-
tional manner, while formally receiving the
proceedings of this Convention, l may be
permitted again to ask what have to gain by
consulting human ambition more than have
gained, except in one thing? My race is
nearly run. | have been placed in the high
Office which occupy under the Constitution
of the country, and L may say that have
held, from the lowest to the highest, almost
every position to which man may attain in
our government. And surely, gentlemen, this
should be enough to gratify a reasonable am
bition. If Iewanted authority, or if wished
to perpetuate my own power, how.easy itwouId
have been to hold and WELD that which was
placed in my hands by the measures called
g the Freedman's Bureau Bill."- Laughter
and applause. With an army which it placed
at my discretion, could have remained at
the capital OF the nation, and with fifty or
sixty millions of appropriation at my disposal,
with the machinery to be worked by my sa-
traps and dependents in every town and viii
lage and then with the Civil Rights bill
following an auxiliary Qaughter) III con
nection with all the other appliances of the
government, could have proclaimed myself
Dictator. But, gentlemen, my pride and my
as.rmbltiOn have been to occupy that position
which retains all power in the hands OF the
people. 1t is upon that have always relied.
1t is-upen that rely now, and l repeat that
neither the taunts or jeers OF Congress nor of
subsidized eliminating press can drive ME
from my purpose. Great applause l ac-
knowledge superior but my God. the au-
thor of my existence, aud the people of the
United States Prolonged aud enthusiastic
cheering. For the one try to obey all His
commands as best eau compatible S':, 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. [AppIause.]
Nj. Chairman, have said more than l
had intended 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, Il hold above.
all price, and shall ever recpr with feelings
Of profound qualification, to the last resolu-
tion containing the endorsement of a Con
vention emanating' spontaneously from the
great mass of the people. l trust and hope
that my future action may be such that you
and the Convention you represent may not
regret the assurance Of confidence you have
expressed. Before separating, my friends.
one and all, please accept my sincere thanks
for the kind manifestations of regard and re-
spect you have exhibited on this occasion.-
l repeat that l shall always continue to be
guided by conscientious conviction of duty
and that always gives to one courage-un>
der the Constitution, which have made my
guide.
At the conclusion of the Presidents re-
marks, three enthusiastic cheers were given
for Andrew johnson, and three more for
General Grant.
The President then took position near
the door opening into the hall, with General
Grant by his side, where, as the gentlemen
of the committee aud lAenbirs of the Con-
vention passed out, he grasped each by the
hand, and had s,iHils or cheering word for
all after which they passed on, to take Cen
eral Grant by the hand