The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-08-22

they we're in fact in slavery. I repeat
that your declaration is the second
proclamation of emancipation to the
people of the United States, and offers
common ground upon which patriots
can stand.
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen, let
me, in this connection, ask you, what
have / to gain more than advance
ment of public welfare? / am as
much opposed to indulgence of ego
tism as any one, but here, in con-
versational manner, while formally
receiving the proceedings of this Con-
vention, may be permitted again to
ask, what have to gain by consult
ing 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 our country, and l
may say | have held, from lowest to
highest, almost every position to which
a man may attain in our government.
| have passed through every position
from alderman of village to the
Presidency; and surely, gentlemen,
this should be enough to crafty
reasonable ambition. If | wanted
authority, or if I wanted to perpetu-
ate my own power, how easy it would
have been to hold and WELD that
which was placed in my hands by
measures called Freedmen's Bureau
Bill. Laughter and applause
With an army which it placed at
my discretion [ could have remained
at the capital of the United States,
and with its fifty or sixty millions of
appropriations at my disposal, with
the machinery to be worked by my
own hand, with my satraps and de-
lpendents in every town and village
aud then with the civil rights bill fol-
lowing as an auxiliary laughter in
connection with all the other appli-
ances of governments could have
proclaimed myself Dictator. CCheers
for the President.
But, gentlemen, my pride and my
ambition has been to occupy that po-
sition which leaves all power In the
hands of the people. Tremendous
cheers. 1t is upon that / have al
ways relied-it is upon that [ rely
now. IA voice" And the people
will not disappoint you repeat
that neither the taunts nor jeers of
Congress nor of calumniating press
can drive me from my purpose. Great
applause. / acknowledge no superb
or except my God, the author of my
existence, and the people of the Uni
ted States. prolonged and enthusi-
astic cheering.l For one, | try to
obey all His commands as best can,
compatible with my poor humanity.
In political and representative sense,
the high behests of the people have al
ways been respected and obeyed by
me. Loud cheers. ae 84
Mr.. Chairman, / have said more
than / intended. For the kind al
lusions to myself contained in your
address and in the resolutions adopt
ed by the Convention let me remark
that in the crisis and at this period of
my public life hold above all price,
and shall ever recur with feelings of
profound gratitude to the last Con-
vention, emanating spontaneously
from the great mass of the people
Loud cheers. [ trust and hope my
future action may be such that you and
the Convention may not regret the
of confidence you have ex-
pressed in me. [Cries of "we are
sure of it," eT aaae
Before separating, my friends, one
and all, please accept my sincere |
thanks for the kind manifestations of
regard and respect you have exhibited |
on this occasion. [ repeat, shall |
always continue to be guided by |
firm and conscientious conviction of |
duty, and that always gives one
courage, under the Constitution.