Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-08-20
VOL. XX---NO. 1876.

the great mass of the people. In the dark
est moment of the struggle, when clouds
seemed lowering around, my faith, instead
of giving way, loomed up through the dark
clouds, and fer beyond l saw that all would
be safe in the end. Cheers.
Ny cOuntrymen, We all know that in the
| language of Thomas Jefferson, tyranny and
! despotism can be exercised and eXorted
more effectually by the many than the one.
We have seen a Congress gradually en-
croach, step by step, upon constitutional
rights, and violate day after day and month
after month the fundamental principles of
the Government. We have seen Congress
that seemed to forget that there was Con
stitution and that there was a limit to the
sphere and scope of legislation. (Renewed
cries Of "That'5 so.') We have seen Con-
gress in a minority assume to exercise pow
ers which, if allowed TO be carried out,
would result in despotism or monarchy it.
self. (Cries of ""That's so' and enthusiastic
cheers given for the President)
This is the truth, and becauseothers as well
as myself have seen proper to appeal to the
patriotism and republican feeling of the
country, we have been denounced in
the most severe terms. SANDER upon SLAM.
der, vituperation upon vituperation, Of the
most yillainous character, has made its
way through the public press? What gem
tlemen has been your and my SIM What
has been the cause Of our offending. 1
will tell you. Daring 10 stand by the Consti-
tuition of our fathers. (Cheers).
The President here approached the spot
where Senator johnson was standing and
said a
consider the proceedings of this Con-
vention sir,as of more Importance than those
of any Convention that ever assembled in
a. rrrt-.
look with my minds eye upon that cOllec- |
ton of citizens coming together voluntar-
lily, and sitting in council, with ideas, with
principles and views commensurate with
all the States and co-extensive with the
whole people, aud contrast it with the col
lection of gentlemen who are trying to de-
troy the country, regard it as more import
ant than any Convention that has sat at
least since 1857. loud Cheers.) think I
may say also, that the declarations that
were there made, are equal with the Deela-
ration of Independence itself, and here to-
day, pronounce it a second Declaration of
Independence. (Cries of GLORIOUS" and most
applause.)
Your address and declarations are moth
ing more or less than re-affirmatiOn of the
Constitution of the United States. (Cries of
good, and eheers.) Yes, l will go farther,
and say that the declarations you have
made, that the principles you have enun-
ciated in your address are a second prOcla-
nation of emancipation of the people of
the Uaited States. (Renewed applause |
For in proclaiming these great truths you
have laid down 4 constitutional platform on |
which all can make common cause and |
stand together for the restoration of the |
States and the preservation of the Govern |
nent, without reference to party. The ques- |
L Il. l..
1ur country rises above all party considera- |
lions or influence. (Cries of good, and
,heers.) ...... .....
How manp are in the United States who
now require TO be free that have the shack
les upon their limbs and are bound as rig
dly as though they were in fact in slavery !
repeat, then, that your declaration is the /
second proclamation of emancipation TO the
people OF the United States, and offers a
common ground upon which all patriots
IAN stand.
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen, let me in
his connection ask you what have I to gain
more than the advancement Of the public
welfare. lam as, much opposed,to inGul gence
If aRntism "a any ono, but hars, in a con
yersational manner, while formally receiv-
ng the proceedings of this Convention, I I
may be permitted again to ask what have I |
% gain, consulting human ambition, more
han l have gained, except in one thing /
Ny race is nearly run. have been placed /
n the high office which I occupy under the /
constitution of the country, and l may say
nave held from the lowest to the highest al
most every position to which a man may
lttain in our government. l have passed |
sEGTgh syeEy gest;Ga get 5sq@ oaPh @ 4ldsER u srGP
reasonable am 5itiOn.
If wanted authority, or if wished to
,erpetuate my own power, how easy it would
rave been to hold and WELD that which was
placed in my hands by the measure called
he Freedmen's Bureau Bill. Laughter and
applause. With the army which it placed
t my discretion I could have remained
It the Capitol of the United States and with
IS fifty or sixty millions of appropriations |
It 10y disposal, with the machinery to be
worked by my own bands, with my satraps /
md defenders in every town and village,
md then with the Civil Rights bill following /
IS an auxiliary laughter lin connection
With all the Othor appliances of the govern
nent, could have proclaimed myself die |
ator. TCries of "That's true" and "three |
,heers for the President.
But, gentlemen, my prlde and my ambi- |
ion have been TO occupy that position which |
etains all power in the hands of the people. |
Great cheering 1t is upon that have al |
ways relied. It is upon that rely now.
A volce-"and the people will not disap- |
,oint you'll And repeat that neither the |
aunts nor jeers Of Congress nor of a calum
mating press can drive me from my pur
pose. Great applause.l l acknowledge |
10 superior except my God, the author |
# my existence, and the people of /
he United States. Prolonged and enthu-
iastic cheering For the one try to obey |
IL hfs cor,, dc haat 7 con
with my poor humanity; for the other, in a
political and representative sense, the high
lehests of the people have always been re-
pected and obeyed by me. Loud cheers.J |
Mr.. Chairman, l have said more than l
Intended. For kind illusions to myself |
in your address, and the resolu- |
ions adopted by the Convention, let me /
remark that in this great crisis, and |
1T this period of my public life l hold above |
all price, and shall ever recur with feelings |
1f profound qualification to the last resOlu-
ion containing the endorsement of the Con- |
7ention, emanating spontaneously from |
great mass of people. (Loud cheers.)
rust and hope that my future action may |
be such that you and the Convention may |
not regret the assurance of confidence you |
have expressed Of me. (Cries olive are sure |
Of that
Before separating, my friends, committee |
and strangers, accept my sincere thanks for
the kind manifestation Of regard and re-
spect you have exhibited on this occasion.
I repeat, ! shall always continue to be |
guided by a firm and conscientious convic
5ion of duty, and that always gives one |
courage undor tho Constitution, which L |
make my guide.
At the conclusion of the Presidents re-
marks three cheers were enthusiastically |
given for Andrew johnson, and three more |
for General Grant. The President and Gen
eral Grant then retired arm in arm, and the |
committee and the audience commenced to |
disperse.
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