The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-09-27
SPEECH OF MAJ. GENERAL WOOL

! Below will be found in full, the strong
and vigorous speech of the veteran gen
/ eral Wool, delivered at the Soldiers and
Sailors Convention held at Cleveland
| on the 18th, on being chosen to preside
lover its deliberations. 1t will fall upon
! the public mind like the blast of a trum-
pet. The cotemporary of General Scott,
the hero of three wars, far in the decline
of life, with no possible object in view
of a personal or selfish character, tho
warnings he gives to his countrymen
cannot but be needed and respected by
them. We invite attentive and careful
perusal:
Gentlemen: 4 grateful heart thanks
you for your cheering welcome. Amore
flattering and agreeable position could
not have been assigned to me than the
one just conferred, rs presiding officer,
although but temporarily, over this as
semblage of Patriots and heroes, the
true defenders of the country and the
Union. BE assured it will ever be re-
membered and appreciated as most
precious incident Of Il long military ca
reer. The object of this great military
i y,
is to consider the principles enunciated
Philadelphia and the restoration policy
of President johnson. On these subjects
I 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 admit their loyal repre-
sentatives to seats in the halls of Con-
gress and permit 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 vim
dictive feelings, a war of words for thlr-
ty Years was carried Oh between the
Northern radicals andihe;5outhern slave
holders. Everything was doneand said
to promote and keep alive the contro-
versy. 1t finally eliminated in a rebel
lion in the Spring of 1861, which, for
atrocity, the sacrifice of life, the expen-
diture of untold millions of money, the
loss of property, for following by pesti-
lence, famine and desolatiOn 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 car
ry on the war, surrendered with their
armies to our gallant Generals, Grant
Sherman and others. The rebel armies
We're permitted under parole to return
to their homes, and there await the or
der OF the United States government,
the officers and soldiers Of their armies
pledging themselves to be firm, true and
faithful supporters of the constitutions
and the laws ofthe United States. Such
were the terrible results OF a four years
war, caused by the institution ofsiavery.
A few days after the surrender of Lee
and his rebel army, President Lincoln
was assassinated. This atrocious crime,
greatly mourned by the nation, placed
Vice President johnson in the Presiden-
tai chair. His elevation WAS hailed BY
reclamation throughout the land, ana
this too because of his love and deVo-
tlon TO his country, and hi, boldness
White a Senator of the United States, III
dvocating the preservation Of the I'M
on III opposition to every other SOUTH
ern senator Few men North or South,
We're subjected to greater sacrifices Oh
account OF patriotism, than Andre"