The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-09-04

forth. Hear, hear There is one thing !
cannot be mistaken in; the signs OF the
times. The American people have under
taken great work. There WAS arebelion,
and the Government some time since com
menced putting that rebellion down. In the
beginning Of the suppression of the rebellion,
there were certain principles decla-ed-as
has been alluded to By your distinguished
Representatives here to-day, whose character
IIhave known for great many years, II not
q well in person, in the midst Of struggle;
When the rebellion began, and when It seemed
to me that the political horison was
most lowering, determined to stand
up on the Constitution and flag of my coun-
try. He sent me letter from distant
Government which was peculiarly encouras-
ing and gratifying at such time, when sur
rounded by trials and difficulties. Sometimes
those who have the reputation ofthe strong
est arms and hearts, yield and give mp. But
We got encouragement like this from various
quarters, and when such appreciation is mani.
tested BY the great mass OF the people, tell
you have confidence in the great mass of
the people that they will settle this question,
and the Union and the Constitution be res
stored. IApplause.l As has been here
kindly alluded, in the beginning OF the rebel
lion | placed my feet on the Constitution OF
America as the great rampant OF freedom, and
there have stood from that moment to the
present, and God being willing, | intend to
stand by the flag of my country till u tri>
umphs [Cheers. 1t has been said by
some that / have abandoned the principle
of those who elected me, and that | had
committed treason to my countrymeu. Let
me stand before you to day, and could look
each man in the eye, and had he the power
to look into the recesses of my heart, he
would there ascertain who had been the trai
tors. [Applause. When ! started in this
struggle in opposition to the leaders in the
South was determined when this great cir
Gle of the Union-the magic circle of free>
dom-whether att tucked from the South or
North, that my business was to protect and
defend it, ICries Of GOOD good and /
stood against attacks in the South till victory
perched upon our standard. stood until
the army was dissolved. until they came for
ward and acknowledged their error, and said
the arbiter of their own selections had settled
against them, and in spirit OF magnanimity
they said to their sister States that they were
again willing to accept the terms gwen.
| hand over to you the Union of these
States, not a sem-circle, but the complete
circle, of the States, and along with the
Union, and the flag with the thirty.six stars,
and the Constitution for your preservation.
Take the Constitution, take the flag of your
country, and take the Union, for I,know they
will be preserved and protected in your
hands without distinction Of party. | have
been made welcome here to-day; the time is
coming when men are tearing loose from the
shackles ofparty the time is coming when
you will see the great masses ofthe people in
the country rallying around the altar Of their
country instead of their party, and when you
see that you may be assured of the country's
safety. Take the flag, take the Constitution,
take the Union and Government into your
own hands, and know that they are safe.
May the blessings of God rest on you. Good
bye. thank you for this welcome. Three
cheers.