Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-09-27

rary Chairman-Bis Speech-Enthusi-
asm, &c.
The Convention of Soldiers and Sailors
held IN response from those favourable to
the policy of the President and the action
of the First National Convention at Phila-
delphia, of August 18th, met in Cleveland
on Monday.
A pavaliOn Of one hundred and fifty feet
in length by sixty in breadth had been
erected in the Park for the use of the Con-
vention, and at three o'clock the delegates
entered, preceded by band Of music, and
were seated after which the crowd from
the outside were admitted, and soon filed
the tent to its utmost capacity.
| Previous to the organization quite a spir-
tied scene was witnessed, the various dele
cations rising and cheering with all their
might, successfully, for the old flag, Gems.
! Custer, Rousseau, Woo and Mcclellan, the
constitution, the tlirty-six States. and for
Andy Johnson and after brief breathing
! spell, for General Grant, Secretary Sew
| ard, the American army, and General Stead
| man and Governor Bramlette, of Kentucky.
AS the cheering was called for and given
| IN each case there was q scene OF wild en-
| thJsiasm, delegates and spectators rising
| and swinging their hats and shouting most
vigorously.
By previous arrangement, Gov. Bran
lette nominated Major General John e.
United States, and probably in the world,
as temporary president. General Wool, on
taking the chair. was received with loud
cheers. He addressed the convention as
follows
Gentlemen \ grateful heart thanks you
for your cheering welcome 4 mere fat
tering and agreeable position could not
have been assigned to me than the one just
conferred as presiding officer, although but
temporarily, over this assemblage of patriots
and herOes-the true defenders of their
country and the Union. Be assured it will
ever aforementioned and appreciated as the
most precious incident of long military
career.
The object of this great military conven-
ton, if l understand it correctly, is to con-
slider the principles enunciated by the Ma
tional Union Convention at Philadelphia,
and the restoration policy of President
Johnson. OF these subjects | would simply
remark that the sooner Congress recognizes
the States, declared by Il majority of it's
members to be out of the Union, and admit
their loyal members to seats IN the halls Of
Congress, and permit them to participate
in the national legislation of the country,
the sooner will be allayed the fears and APP
prehensions of the people Of the dangers
which again menace the peace OF the cOun-
try and the perpetulty Of the Union with
the most bitter and vindictive feelings.
A war of words for thirty years was car
ried on between the Northern Radical abo-
litionists and the shareholders of the South
ern States. Everything was done and said
to promote and keep alive the controversy,
It finally eliminated in a rebellion in the
spring of 1861, which for atrocity, the sac
rifce of life, the expenditure of untold mil
lions of money, the loss of property, fol-
lowed by pestilence and famine and desc
lation, has no parallel in the history of ma
tions
This bloody and desolating war, brought
to a close in the spring of 1865, when the
rebels, unable no longer to carry on the
war, surrendered with their arms to our
gallant Generals, Grant, Sherman and 9TH
ers. The rebel armies were permitted I'M
der parole, to return to their homes and
there await the order of the United States
government, the officers and soldiers of
their armies pledging themselves to become
true and faithful supporters of the Consti-
tuition and the laws of the United States.
Such were the terrible results of four
years war, caused by the institution of
slavery.
A few days after the surrender of Lee
and his army, President Lincoln was assas-
sinated. The atrocious crime, greatly
mourned by the nation, placed Vice Presi-
dent Johnson in the presidential chair
His elevation was hailed by acclamation
throughout the land, and this, too, because
of his love and devotion to his country
and boldness while Senator of the United
States in advocating the preservation of
the Union in opposition to every other
Southern Senator.
Few men, North or South, were subject
ed to greater sacrifices on account of patri-
otism than Andrew Johnson, and although
plundered of his property and driven from
his home, he returned again, and by his In
domitable energy and perseverance, with
other patriots of his State, reclaimed Ten
nessee from treason and rebellion. This
bold and daring friend of the Union can be
no traitor, but, strange as 1t may appear, he
is denounced as traitor and threatened by
the Radical members of the Republican
party with impeachment.
1t may be asked with propriety, what has
President Johnson done that he should be
denounced as a traitor and threatened with
impeachment Is it for anything more than
for the exercise of the most noble and gen
erous efforts to conciliate and bring back
into the folds of the Union brave people,
and make the United States what they
should be-a united and great people.
It ought not to be forgotten that the
cause slavery which engendered the rebel
lion, has been removed Three or four
millions of slaves have been declared free
by an amendment to the constitution.
Those of the Southern States interested in
the abolition of slavery, which deprived
them of large amount Of what they called
property, and which they had considered
all important to their interest and welfare,
quietly submitted to the amendment.
Those who prepared the amendment
omitted to guard against what would fol-
low. When too late, it was discovered that
freeing four millions of slaves would in
crease the Southern representatives in Con-
gress from twenty-five to thirty representa-
tives. This was to be overcome, lest the
abolition radicals should lose their control
of the government by an act of Congress,
or by another amendment of the constitu-
ton.
The General then proceeded at consider
able length to denounce the action of the
Radical majority in Congress, and to show
the unhappy consequences which, in his
opinion, would result therefrom. He con-
I'D