The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-02-10
He RETTERATES HIS DETERMINE
TON TO STAND By HIS
PRINCIPLES.
He Is DETERMINED TO DO RIGHT
AND LET CONSEQUENCES TAKE
CARE OF THEMSELVES.
He is not a Candidate for Re-elec-
ton,
WASHINGTON, Feb. I.

This morning large number of the citi-
sens of Montana Territory called upon the
president. B. NJ. Pinney, United States
marshal for the territory, Chief Justice Hos
mer, General Barrows. and twenty-five or
thirty others, were among the number. Mr..
the delegation. He said:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: 1t becomes my duty as
a member of this delegation to assure you
that the principles announced in your annual
message 30 congress, and your policy in re-
lation to the present political condition of
this country, has gladdened the hearts of the
people of our own mountain land, Montana.
We are using no idle or unmeaning words
when we assure you that we take the great
est possible pleasure In saying that we recog
nize in you, as the chief magistrate of this
great nation, person who possesses that
sound mind, that general knowledge, that
firm and patriotic devotion to the real inter
ests and welfare of the whole country, which
are so necessary to carry 1t safely over the
ocean of political speculation and debate
We attach no great Importance to this asser-
ton of our feelings In relation TO yourself,
but we should be doing injustice to ourselves
and ingrattude to the people OF the Territory
of Montana and should merit their seversst
censure, if We did not say that we firmly be-
lieve that if you meet with a col dial and gen
erous support On every hand, this nation will
come forth from the present political crisis a
stronger and better nation, prepared to take
a higher stand and 90 nober work on the
platform of history than has ever yet been
allotted to any nation OF the earth. Monta-
ma has scarcely had n two yasrs political
existence and already numbers $4,000 in
L Is r.
ness are dotted all over her fertile valleys,
and her numerous thorOughfares are con
stsntly trem bling with the crush of mer.
chandiss. The gold and silver which the
Almighty had long kept hidden and garner
ed up IN her hills and ravines have bsen re
veaied or discovered ar q time when the ma
ton needs new channels of flowing wealth to
supply her treasury. Montana possesses as
well as great mineral wealth, all those agri-
cultural resources so we'll calculated to make
her early populous and powerful. At the
same time we trust we are not unmindfnl of
the vast importance OF promul eating correct
political sentiments. We believe that we
are starting right if we advocate zealously
those great political truths which you have
proclaimed to this country and TO the world,
and which we understand TO be the founda.
ton of all good governments.
TIE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
The President replied as follows:
GENTLEMEN is no ordinary pleasure for
me to meet you here on this occasion, and to
hear the sentiments you have announced
To receive 50 large and respectable a body of
gentlemen from that remote region OF the
country from which you came, is highly
gratifying TO me. Ia response, sir, address
ing Mr.. Pinney), to the eloquent manner in
which you have expressed the sentiments
and feelings Of those whom you represent on
this occasion, | might content myself with
simply returning my thanks tor your kind
expressions, but you haye made some alIu-
sions to which, under the circumstances
that surround US, ! cannot be Indifferent
You have alluded to the great principles of
our government, having been enumerated In
a paper sent short time since to the con
gress of the United States. The declaration
by me of those principles was not the result
Of impuise,lt was the result Of Il thorough and
calm consideration Of those great truths. /
| say again that no Que can mistake the doc
trinos Of that message. 1t is very easy for
persons to misrepTesent 1t. and to make as
sertiors that this, that or the other has taken
place will take place, but l think / may
be permitted say TO you on this occasion that,
taxing all my Gntecedents, going back to my
advent into public lite down TO the present
time, the cardinal doctrines set forth in that
paper have been my constant guide. After
having gone so far, /. Is too late for me to
turn and take O. different direction. They
will be my guide from this time onward, and
those whe understand them may know where
| always shall be found when principle Is in
volved Here let me say to you, in order to
disabuse the public mind as far as it is posi-
10 fn- I'D .1n
career is well nigh done. The sands of ny
political glass are well nigh run out. Ii |
were disposed to refer to myself, might
trace nv career back to the log cabin, then
an alderman, and then mayor IN village,
then through both branches OF the state leg
islature, then for ten consecutive years IN the
national house of representatives, then thro'
the eubern atorial chair to the senate OF the
United States, then provisional governor,
with slight participation In military affairs,
then vice president, and now In the position
l occupy before you +; and now In this posi-
sion if / can be instrumental in restoring
the government of the United States,i restor
ing to their true position in the Union those
states whose relations to the national govern
have tor time been interrupted by one of
the most gigantic rebellions that ever occur
red IN the world, so that we can proclaim
once more that we are united people,
feel that the measure of my ambition has
been filled, and at that point if there be any
who are envious and jealous of honor and pc
sition, shall be prepared to make them as
low q bow as know how, and thank them to
take the place have occupied, for my mis-
sion will have been fulfilled. In saying this
in the performance of my duty, and in re-
Spouse to the encouragement you have given
me. l feel that am in condition not to be
arrogant. not to ieel imperious or supercili-
GUS. | feel that can afford to do right and
so feeling. God being willing, intend to do
right and so far as in me lies, intend to ad-
minister this government upon the principles
that lie in the foundation of it. | can inform
all asnirants WIN ara fruinn 70 farr, THAR