The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-09-07

look upon that collection of citizens
coming together voluntarily, and sit
ting in council with ideas, with prlnc.-
pes and views commensurate with all
the States, and co-eXtensive with the
whole people, and contrast it with
Congress whose policy, if persisted in,
will destroy the country, / regard it as
more important than any convention
that has sat-at least since 1877. l
think may also say that the declara-
tions that were there made are equal TO
those contained in the Declaration Of
independence itself, and | here to-day
pronounce them a second Declaration
of Independence. fCrics Of "Glorious,"
and most enthusiastic and prolonged
applause. Your address and decara-
tons are nothing more nor less than
reaffirmation OF the Constitution Of the
United States. [Cries of Good" and
applause.
Yes, will go further, and say that
the declarations you have made, that
! The principles you have enunciated in
your address, are second proclamation
If emancipation to the people of the
| United States. Renewed applause.
| f1Or in p oclaiming and reproclaiming
these great truths you have laid down
| / constitutional platform on which all,
without reference to party, can make
| Common cause, engage in common
fort to break the tyranny which the
dominant party in Congress has 50 re-
entingIy exercised, and stand united
0gether for the restoration 0fthe States
md the preservation of the Govern
nent. The question only is the saliva
ion of the country, for our country
Uses above all party consideration or
Influences. Cries of ''Good, and APP
Jlause. How many are there in the
United States that now require to be
rec? They have the shacllies upon
heir limbs and are bound so rigidiy
" the behests of party leaders in the
National Congress as though they were
II fact in slavery, / repeat, then, that
5our declaration is the second prOcla-
nation of emancipation to the people
# the United States, and offers COM
mon ground upon which all patriots
tan stand. LApplause.l
In this co .nection, Mr.. Chairman and
gentlemen, let me ask. what have to
4l.,, It-n nf +bn
public welfare? am as much opposed
to the indulgence ofegOtiSn a5any one,
out here, in conversational manner,
while formally receiving the proceed
4ngs ofthis Convention, may be per-
nitted again to inquire, what have l 10
gain, consulting human ambition, more
han have gained, except one thing
the consummation of the great work
Of restoration? My race is nearly run.
/ have been placed in the high office
which l occupy by the Constitution of
,he country, and | may say that have
leld, from lowest to highest almost ev-
cry station to which man may attain
IN our Government. | have passed
every position, from Alderman
ofa village to the Presidency of the
limited States. And surely gentlemen,
SOnable ambition.
fl had wanted authority, or if had
wished to perpetuate my own power,
how easily could | have heldand WELD
ed that which was placed in my hands
by the measure called the Freedmen'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 appropriations at my
disposal, with the machinery to be un-
locked by my own hands, with my
,atraps and dependents in every town
and village, with the Civil Rights bill
following as an auxiliary laughter
and with the patronage and other ap-
pIiances of the Government, | could
have proclaimed myself dictator.
'That's truen' and applause.
But, gentlemen, my pride and my
3nlDIllOll Jd AG bINb NOONNuHS t'i''N i''''i
ton which retains all power in the
hands of the people. [Great cheering ]
1t is upon them have always relied;
it is upon them Irely now. AVoice:
"And the people will not disappoint
you" And l repeat, that neither the
taunts nor jcers Of Congress, nor of
subsidized, eliminating press, can
drive me from my purpose. Great
applause. I acknowledge no superior
except my God, the author of my
existence, and of the people of tie
United States. Prolonged and en-
thusiastic cheering. The commands Of
the One | try to obey as best can, COM
patible with poor humanity. Astothe
other, in political and representative
sense, the high behestS of the people
have always been, and ever will be, re-
spected and obeyed by me. Applause.
Mr.. Chairman, havesaid more than
| | had intended to say. For thekind al
| lusi0n to myself, contained in your rad
dress, thank you. In this crisis, and
at the present period Of my public life,
hold above all price, and shall everre-
cur with feelings of profound gratifica-
ton, to the resolution containing the
endorsement of a convention emana-
/ tinU SnontaneOuSly from thegreat naSS