The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-02-24
GRAND CONSERVATIVE RALLY AT
GROWERS THEATRE In WASH
INGTON,
President Johnson DenOunCes the
Radicals i'm Congress as the Lead
ers of a second Rebellion.
He Glasses Charles sumner, Thaddeus Ste
yens and Wendell Phillips as trail
tors.

WASHINGTON, Feb 22-The great conservative
meeting to sustain President johnson, lasted from
noon till O'Clock. Growers theatre was densey |
crowdej, and the street without, where stands for
speaking were erected, equally crowded.
Speeches were made by 5. S. Cox, Montgomery
Blair Senator Hendricks. Hon. Green Clay Smith
Representatives Rogers, of New Jersey, and |
Hogan, of Missouri, and good many Others of
lesser note. All fully sustained the presidents
veto. A long series of resolutions was adopted, |
expressing confidence in the president and favor
ing the admission of the southern representatives
to congress-
At the conclusion of the meeting, the people |
proceeded nadSse to the presidential mansion, |
where the resolutions were presented to the
president, who responded in a speech of an
hours duration, in which he characterized the
radicals in congress as the leaders of second
rebellion, and denounced Thaddeus Stevens
Wendell Phillips and Charles Sumner as trai-
tors.
The declaration caused most intense excite
ment among the people, and were enthusiastjCal-
| ly cheered.
In the course of his remarks the president re-
viewed his public life, and declared that his only
ambition was TO restore the Union.
The Presidents Speech at the Conservative
Rally.
WASHINGTON Feb 22.-The president respon-
ded as follows to the committee presenting
the resolutions Of the conservative mass meet
ing:
| FELLow-C IrIzENs-For l presume / have the
| right to address YOU as such-to the committee
who have conducted and organized this meeting
| far have to tender my sincere thanks for the
| compliment and appreciation they have NANTES
| ted in their personal address to myself and in
| the resolutions they have adopted. am free
to say to you this OCCASION that it is extreme
| ly gratifying to me to know that so large a por-
lnnQ a my n ard ar6p
! the policy that has been adopted and is intended
/ 10 be carried out That policy has been one
which was intended to restore the glorious Union
OF these states, anG their original relations to
! the government Of the United States This
! seems to be e day peculiarly approximate Tor
/ such mauifes:atiou-tne dav that gave birth
! to him who founded this C0velnment-thc father
I of his couUtrv--of him who stood at the head OF
! this government when these states entered iato
! this Union. The day, l say, is peculiarly ap-
propriate to indorse the restoration of the Union
IF these states founded by the father OF his coun-
/ try. Washington, whose name this city bears, is
embalmed in the hearts of all who love free gov
eminent.
Washington, in the language of his euogists
( wss FIRST IN war, FIRST in peace, first in the
/ hearts of his countrymen. No state claim
him. The nation can appropriate him. His
! reputation life are the common inheritance
! of all who love free government
l to-day had the pleasure of attending the an
(
| association. which is directing its efforts to
! complete the monument erected to his memory
| | was glad to meet them, and, so far as l could
| to give them my humble influence. monu-
| ment is being erected to him within stones
! throw of the spot + ON which l address YOU
! Let 10 he completed let the pledges which all
these states, associations and corporations have
! placed in that monument of their faith and love
/ for this Union be preserved. Let il be compile
ted aud in this connection let me refer to the
/ motto upon the stone sent from nv own state
/ God bless state which has struggled for the
/ preservation of the Union in the field and in the
/ councils of the nation-A motto inscribed on
/ that stone. stand by that sentiment, and sue
| is willing to stand By it. It was the sentiment
! enuacIated by the immortal Andrew jackson
"the federal Union, it must be preserved
Mr.. johnson then referred briefly to the con-
! duet OF Gen. Jackson in 1888 denounced as
! traitors those ho..--attempted to destroy the
| country and reiterated his determination to
stand by the country and the constitution.
He thought in considering the question of re-
| construction, we should not deal with the VIII ole
people IL spirit of revenge. The southern sta ties
had acknowledged their allegiance to the govern.
ment, and he was ready to open the doors of the
| Union and restore them to their former relations
| He says: There is no one who has labored
harder than have to have the principal intelli-
gent traitors brought to Justice; to have the
law vlndicated and the great fact admitted that
treason is a crime. Yet, while conscious, intel
ligent traitors are to be punished should whole
states, communities, and peoples be made to sub
/ mt to and bear the penalty of death? Let them
become loyal and willing supporters and defend
ers OF our gioriurs str pes and stars and the
stitution of the country.