Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-05-14

until otherwise directed by competent authori-
! ty. [Signed] U. S. GRANT, L. Gen.
The two were enclosed to me in an eavel,pe,
| marked Headquarters Armies Of the United
States, "OReial Bushes" post-marked Al
exandria, April 9Th. :" - 21'. ~.
I am thus particular in this statement, be-
cause whilst [ havk gratefully complied with
the request Of the committee Of ladies, as the
best return [ could make to them, have never
as yet acknowledged this act Of grace from Gen.
Grant, and the public was not informed how it
was obtained. - -. 80 - 49,
now publicly thank woman for this glorious
privilege of locomotion, and pay Gen. Grant
the deserved compiimentof saying that his gal
lantry, like mine, has, doubtless; been con-
strained byan influence he, no more than l,
could resist [ thank him for yielding to the
committee of Ladies in my behalf / earnestly
thank him here now publicly, at the right
time and place, for this permission" in the
the value Of which Il early learned, TO visit
tive land, F" but 'all parts of the United States
without interference Of military authorities. y
This, in the green tree Of the Federal Union
Of these Republics of states, free sovereign and
independent is at this day great boon!-
Lands Of Liberty may these free, sovereign and
independent states ever be, and may all their
authorities and citizens early and late learn the
value Of that liberty aud forever defend it in
the glad and glorious sense of George Wash
ington Of Mt ernon, near Alexandria, OF the
Undivided Commonwealth OF Virgiuia, OF the
unbroken Federal Union Of the States Of
America under the Supreme Law OF a written
Constitution kept in all It's covenants as holy as
the sacred honor" and the patriotic faith
which founded Federal Republic for all future
time on the right 0fnaea and on the rights Of
,Stutes
'tUntiI' otherwise directed by competent au-
thority I will use this privilege Of passport i'll
my own loved country and state, and |, Henry
Alexander Wise, pledge the honor OF "a parol-
cd Prisoner Of War; that will NOT abuse it.
For the present leave future orders to fu-
ture time, and III the meantime proceed to obey
the call of blessed woman to repeat here in AL
exandria the cry uttered uttered by me first III
Richmond, of Female Orphans for moro than
the common charities OF life, and | pray that
the cry may reach everywhere, that infant
daughter of woman suffers from want or woes
worse than want
In reference to bis own case, ID the course OF
his speech, Mr.. Wise Indignantly repealed the
accusation of being j traitor. He and many
who acted with him, had always been for sup
porting the Constitution of the United States,
and opposed to its violation. He had, himself,
early, proposed TO fight for the Union in the
Union But when the Government Of the ..
S., called upon him to suppress Instruction,
and on the other hand his State called upon
him to repel invasion, it was simplya conflict
Of sovereignties, and he was not responsible for
acts individually in obcying the voice of his
State He had obeyed her orders, as he be-
lieved he was bound to do, and had taken sides
with his kith, Kin and blood in the strife that
ensued. He stated that he had taken no test
oath, and never would take one. He was not
foreigner to be naturazed-but native born,
and therefore tests should not be required Of
him. The amnesty oath, was different thing;
he had nothing to say against those who had
taken that He made an allusion to trials for
treason, and said, IF am to be tried for trea
sou, I hope they will send some one to try me
who was not among the men | chased out OF
the Valley with my black -horse cavalry at the
time Of the John Brown war. This alusion
produced great applause and laughter
The speech was frequently loudly appaudcd,
and during the whole time Mr.. Wise was speak.
ing, he commanded the entire and undivided
attention Of the whole audience.
At the conclusion Of his address two OF the
little Orphans advanced to the platform ard
presented Mr., Wise with splendid bouquet Of
Spring Flowers Of his and their native State
He received the children most affectionatey,
thanked and kissed them, aud prayed that they
and their companions might live to be and CON
tinue virtuous, happy, and christian women.
An unexpected pleasure was given to the ar-
dience by the announcement that Senator Sauls-
bury, OF Delaware, Was present. lie Was urged
to speak, and, at last: yielded TO the request,
and in few happy, eloquent and telling words
responded to the invitation Of his new friends.
He spoke but 4 short time, but in that time be
won the hearts of those who heard him, for his
words were those Of peace and love-oE traternal
feeling and restored amity-of kindness, conci-
iation, and Justice to suffering people.
AT the conclusion of Senator Saulsbury's re-
marks, the nomination Of Life Members Of the
Orphan Asylum and Female Free School was
begun, the ladies gentlemen present subscrlb-
ing various sums to constitute those named
Life Members. In short time, subscriptions
were handed in to enable the following to be
enrolled on the honorary records of these benev-
olent Institutions President Andrew johnson,
Hon Henry \. Wise and his lady, Hon. Sen
ator Salisbury, Gen. Robt Il. Lee, Mrs. h.
Il. Lee, Mr. Jefferson Davis, Mrs. Jefferson
Davis, Rev Mr. Biting, Rev. Mr. L2ftwltch,
Mrs. Stouewall Jackson, and Edgar Snowdcn.
a collection was, also. taken up in aid OF the
funds of the Asylum, and our citizens contrib
uted various sums for that purpose. We un-
ders;and that the Managers will request some OF
our citizens nos only 10 collect the amounts