The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-05-24

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sponss from Massachusetts,. TLaushtsr.l But III
people were silont. The press was silent, II not sp
proving. IL
F.liow.citissn. I did no. intend speaking I,
much: tyoics-"ao onl"I I have only this !,
say I have desired and hoped for the oopilpustiol
OF this great Union party, with which have beer
ever Identified. tChssu.1 Buff lie leaders cal
present nothing better than the programme Of N,
eomr"ittee, am greatly spprehensivs that lie day
will be numbered Cheers trust fellow. cititsns
that this will not be the cass that II will discard ii
hostility and its attempt to continue alienation be-
tween the two sections OF the country, and that u
will embrace those principles which look 10 har
mony, TO restoration and TO peace. lift should Dc
this will still continue to DO the great controlling
party Of the country, and cover itself with imper
ishable glory II II docs not its days are mum.
beredj and the spitaph that will DO written on Il
will be, at knew how to prosecute the war will
yigori but IL lacked the wisdom to avail itself Of
the benefits Of victory" Applause, aud three cheer
for Secretary MeCuhoch.
The Secretary Of War was next called upon-th,
band playing "Rally round the aag,' "whsr
Johnny comes marching home. )" and other airs.
SECRETARY STATIONS SPEECH.
| Secretary STANTON said:
GESrLENEN: On the afternoon Of Thursday, The
l7th Of this month, received note from the SEQ
Rotary Of the National Union johnson Club telling
me II the design Of the association 10 serenade
the President and his Cabinet, and that would be
called upon at my residence. Immediately on
the receipt OF this note reply sent 10 the Secre
tary, expressing my thanks for the compliment and
declining the honor Of the serenade. A similar com.
pliment by the patriotic association OF the Soldiers
and Sailors League had previously been declined.
Two reasons induced my action. The last time
public speech was made from this spot In answer
to ssrsnsds was the night Of Friday, the iIth day
Of April, 1865. At that moment, when We were re-
joicng over the downfall Of the rebellion one Of its
Instruments was numbering Mr.. Lincoln. You will
not think II strange that complimentary occasion,
ftaught with such associations should not be COW
eted. Besides, as the head Of Department my
public duties have been simply executive; and Il
has always been my aim 10 avoid trenchng upon
duties devolyed upon Others and to avoid mischief
by premature discussion Of matters intrusted to the
Legislative branch Of the Government and under It's
consideration. But the call Of this evening relieves
mo from any imputation Of intrudng my opinions
upon you. shall therefore declare them, briefly
and plainly; and TO the end that they may be
neither accidentally Misunderstood, nor wilfully
misrepresented what 1t is my purpose to say on
this occasion has been written.
After four years Of war the authority Of the Fed
eral Government was established throughout the
whole territory Of the United States, at sacrihce
Of over 800 900 lives Of loyal soldiers and q
cost Of than three thousand millions Of dollars
Nearly every household In eighteen loyal States is
mourning its loved ones slain by rebels: a taI
which may last for generations Is laid upon the
food and raiment aud necessities Of every family;
anu IN 'pe Pie 81 'ner uaiy pteau the twenty
mvn inhAp,'Ans " the Ioyh states ieeI, ana
WI ionB e oh'inue 70 re,' WoaI COST 10 uPhoid
pnei Ooreinnent against Ieoeihon,
Inc ounce OF frel1ent defolNed upon Mr. John-
son at the death Of Mr.. Lincoln, on the 18th day
Of hPrh, looo. tnir'een Gays before That time
RICHMOND, the seat OF the rebel government had
been captured, ana SIX Gays Letter the rebel COM
mander-in-chie' Robert H. Lee, routed and van
qulshed, surrendered ms army as prisoners OF war
10 oeneral urant ana the forces under his com.
mand BY these rapidly succeeding events the rebel
government was o'er'hrown, us strength and hope
exhausted and In every state its armed forces and
omcial au, inc give themselves up as prisoners
OF war Inc fresidents annual message TO the
present Congress thus clearly states the condition
OF tns country ana the question thereby imposed
upon MIN;
iound the states suffering from the effects Of o
cYh war resistance 70 the Generh Government
appeared 70 nave exhausted iisef. he United
hnd recovered possession OF their forts and
arsenals, and their armies were In the occupation
OF every state which had attempted TO secede.
mhethet tne tertory WITHIN the limits OF those
STATES snouia DC neiu as conquered territory under
military authority emanaunS from the PRESIDENT,
as the head OF the army, was the hrst question that
presented itself for decision"
AFTER stating the obJectiens 10 tho continuance
OF merely military rule tho alternative course
chosen by him and supported by his Cabinet Is
thus clearly set forth: 4
provisional Governors have been appointed for
the States, conventions called governors elected,
legislatures assembled, and representatives. chosen
70 tue congress Oh tue United states AT the same
time the courts OF the United States, as far as
couid DC done, nave been reopened, 50 that the
Avs Oh tne United states may DO enforced through
. .nen agency' me p'ooksde mas peen removed ana
Tue custom'houses e-estaonshcd IN ports OF entry,
20 tnat tne revenue Oh me United states may %
oonec , my rosl omce department renews iu