Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-10-24
rinl:eT on Grnnt.

We make the following extracts from the speech
of Hon. Win. d. Kelley at the recent Republican
Grant meeting, tx the 9TH Ward, Philadelphia /:
1t may moi be inappropriate for me to remark
that have had no part in promoting this meet
lug. l was not cons suited as to the propriety Of
The measure, bat like most Of you, ain here in
rc,poncc 10 the published call, to which are ap-
pended the names Of some of the most thorough
Radicals, aud NEST cntcrplising and substantial
business men OF our ward. 1t afforded me plea
sure TO iind my convictions Of duty confirmed by
those Who signed the call, and am here 10 cX-
press my approval of the nomination OF General
Grant for the Presidency.
Permit me to state briefly why deem this a
nomination fit 10 be made. II is not, gentlemen
because General Grant is, as We all know, an
availability. 1t made John Tyler and Andrew
johnson President, and, Judging by its fruits,
hold him in contempt who presents IL MS /, con-
elusive or wciglty argument
Nor am for The nomination Of Grant because
| believe II necessary to maintain our party or
gnlization or ascendtncy. do not SO believe.
Nor, again, am | in favor OF making Grant
President rs n reward for his transccndent mill
hry services. | recognize those services most
fully, and rejoice that it has been my privilege
| rs your Representative, to testify my apprccl-
tlon OF them on several occasions. The Prcsi-
drney can add no nstre TO the official title OF
| Ulysses > Grant. lie is General of the armies Of
| the United States. That title has been borne but
BY one othr man, and ii dcsignatcs an Office that
! has been twice created ny Congress to meet
amy supposed necessity OF the government, hut
rs grateful Tribute by the country to its sayi.r
Tie Office that has lpen filled by Washington aud
Grant only, II is,ot inferior in dignity or proper
appreciation TO that which has been polluted by
such hclnlbchis ~ Pierce, Buchanan and john
son.
General Grant win not only be available but
irresistible rs q candidate. But why desire his
nomination is That during his Presidency he will
secure the cntsnripg asecndcncy Of our principles
by promoting the embodiment of the most adj
vanecd OF them III statutory and constitutional
| provisions, aid IN that surcr guarantee Of per-
soiial rights, the common and familiar iisagcs Of
4 nee prnfle. ~ President he will gather the
irliiis OF le many victories won by the armies lie
commanded; and advocate his nomination be-
calIse desire a candidate who not only assrnt;
intellectually TO MY principles, but recognizes the
Necessity Of applying and enforcing them in the
work OF reconstruction and the current life OF
the people.
Whcn as your Representative, voted thanks
to General, sheridan, Sicklrs, Pope and Sclo-
llt for tile manner in which they were admins
torinS the affairs Of their respective Districts |
proclaimed my approval Of Grants conduct OF
his part N the work OF reconstruction, my know
ledge OF his harmony with Congress- aud his
fidelity in the enforcement of its acts so far ms
their enforcement had been conidrd to lin.
thtn khew that The Lesson he had dcduccd
lram rer.on4l and official experience since the
suFiehHtr q the confederate forces, was that
feate and seHtral prosperity can be attained and
pNrlelllatrd only ny securing to the humbest citi-
zen WHO has not forfeited lis right by crime an
equal voice IN the affairs Of thr government I'M
der which he lives.
When General Ord prohibited freedmen from
quitting HE plantation ON which they were en-
ploycd To confer with their fellow citizens in pub
lie meeting assembled, General Grant promptly
reversed the conservative order; but lie gcier-
ollSy sustained the district commanders i have
named in every advanced step they took in the
trying positions TO which his confidence had as
| Signed lhtn. or the generous support lie gave
them speak from no common rumor. II has
been my privilege 10 confer with all Of them
with Sheridan at New Orleans with Pope at At
lnia, with Seh0tield in the mansion Of jeff Da-
Wis, IN III. capital OF the late Conietleiucy, and
with sicklps in our own city and elsewhere
Let who will doubt Grants perception of The
eNigencits OF the times, or his fidelity to Tho
Congressional plan of reconstruction, il Is not
Sheridan, nor sckles, nor Pope, nor SclioGeld,
nor the great War Minister whose courage and
integrity Andrew johnson could no longer abide.
Yes, stanton honors and conlides in Grant in tllQ
same uhsliilttd measure accorded by the hunorCd
! district commanders.
Let lis then inscrihc the illustrious name oil
| Ulysses 5, Grant upon our standard, and cnbla-
zpn around it in br1ud letters Of gold our pre-
ciats principles, not doubling that when the Nh.
tiunal Convention assemblies it will approve and
confirm our action hy reclamation.