The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-10-17
LOCAL DEPARTING EMIT.

GRASD SkRENADE-BLAIR, VooRHEEs, FLoR.
EscE-MUsIC, SpEBcHEs, &c.-Last night tho
conservative citizens OF the District assembled
in front ofths Metropolitan Hotel and, preceded
by the Marine Band, marched to the residence
! Of the Hon. Thomas D. Florence, on Seventh
street, near Z street, South Washington, for the
purpose Of testifying to that gentleman their
appreciation Of his course as q zealous advocate
Of constitutional rights. Tho crowd, to the
number Of nearly 1000, assembled In front Of
! the gentlemnn's residence, and, after music BY
tho band, loud calls were made for the Colonel.
The gentleman made his appearance, and said:
However different my politics may be, or how
ever l may differ with any person here within
the sound Of my voice, yet gladly welcome
him. always endeavor 10 cultivate pleasant
relations with every one, no matter what our
political differences are. appreciate the com.
piiment you have extended me this evening. I
would rather have boon spectator than an actor
here, but will not disguise the satisfaction l
experience IN meeting you hero tonight. There
have been great political issues presented to the
country, and here tonight express TO you the
qualification 1 feel ut the success OF our side. II
Is tho success, Of our country, and, above all, the
success Of our Constitution. It Is that Constitu.
ton which has boon given to US by our fathers.
Lot US perpetuate It, and live to enjoy the bloss.
ipgs under II, and tho unian Of thirty.sx States
We havo met hero tonight to congratulate
upon our successes, and secure the union Of tho
thirty.six States, with not single star erased
from its azure folds. 1 congratulate myself that
have been a co-worker in the glorious result
Tho Union forever, the Constitution forever, and
thirty-six States represented upon the folds Of
the star-spangled banner. Our efforts have been
met with opposition. I ooncedo to all earnest
reasons for tho faith that Is In them but l pity
those cropping in darkness. Do We love the Con.
stitu,ion OF our country the less because we
diaor' Because we differ conscentiously, arc
l. H. - Iii tA.wNt
under the Constitution We have thrown down
the guage, and have gloriously won. Now we
are here to oommingle congratulations upon the
y suspicious results.
would like to run on and tell of the great
organization that has contributed to tho success
Of the party II had time. have not been
accustomed within the past fcw years to speak
90 lucidly as I would like II do not enter
deliberately into it, do not wish to be accused
Of iukewarinness. Tho traditions Of the Demo-
cratic party are full Of suggestions, and give
encouragement to US all, and we are safe whom
we adhere to the Democratic party. Under the
apostle of Democracy, Thomas Jefferson, the
principles that have been sustained from that
time until this. have gone on conquering. By
our misfortunes the party was divided, but went
on increasing even in its weakness into power.
The country had increased in population from
three millions to thirty under the bere 6cent
teachings of Democracy. Imay be excused from
quoting from Thomas Jefferson that Eternal
vigilance Is tho price Of liberty" Let us DO in
spired with 1t. I contend that the country 10
only safe under Democratic successes and Dem.
ocratio administration. In Gods name lot the
contest cease; let peace como with her silver
wings over the land. The rich, sweet German
accent and the rich Irish brogue mingle to-
gcthor in declaring that the contest should cease.
Praise them all. Thousands Of conservative
, Republicans deny the right Of Congress to force
upon the American people an association repug'
nant to thcm, and they identified themselves
with the Democracy in the late elections /
thank them for il. To that honest man at the
other ond of the Avenue, the young Hickory Of
tho present dsy-Andrew Johnson--too much
praise cannot be given. Standing like sturdy
oak In q forest no has withstood all the malevo-
lenoe, ISLANDERS and falsehoods that have been
heaped upoa him.
The wish Of tho people has been expressed
through tho ballot-boI. Tho poet has said 1t to
be better weapon than the bayonet. The voice
of the people Is the voice Of God. wish to live
at peace with all mankind, but will not allow
q Minority rump minorty-to take away my
liberties. The only trouble with them Is that
one nfth cannot control four afths
They style US copperhead, but 1t will become
badge Of honor with us, for II denotes those
who believe in the Constitution and the laws.
Tho speaker made an nllusion to Ben. Wade,
and invoked them all to keep step to tho music
OF the Union, and concluded his remarks by in
Producing Col. N. P. Sawyer, editor of tho Pitts
burg Republic.
Col. Sawyer made few remarks, DR.. Allen fol.
lowing by saying few words, when the crowd
retired after giving three cheers for Col. Flor
once. Preceded by tho band, the party turned
down Seventh street to tho Avenue, and down
the Avenue to the Metropolitan Hotel Here
they halted, and loud cries were made for Hon.
D. W. VOORHEES,, Of Indiana, who made his lp-
pearaucs, and being introduced by DR., Allen,
addressed the crowd before him.
Mr.. Voorhees, said: My fellow.citiIens, I am
grateful to you for the honor Of this call. i
know, however, it is not personal in Its eharac-
ter. You wish to express your sense Of the VIC
tories in the West, in which have taken some
little part. Thisis glorious hour for our coun-
try, and the clouds that have been 50 long OBJ
securing arc now breaking away. Though 1t 10
two years since the war has closed, yet the Union
Is as far of Of being together as ever. Though
brave men South laid down their lives for their
confederacy yet the South at last laid down their
arms. Thaddeus Stevens and others In the rad
ical Congress have by legislation kept ton States
out OF the Union. That for which We fought has
been kept by them asundsr. This has been one
Of the great issues West. Tho reconstruction
policy was put fairly and squarely before the
people and they passed upon 1t adversely.
What has been involved in this reconstruction
policy It involves not merely the disruption
Of tho Union, that which armed treason could
not accomplish but II gives those ten States over
to n people never intended to govern in this
country. Wewill not give over these ten States
to the rule Of tho black race, ! do not wish to
attack the black race, but bettor for them and
all concerned that they give up this idea of
self.goyernnont. 1t was a certificate Of respect
ability Congress gave me when left them. In
der the reconstruction policy Of Congress the
majority Of registered voters will DO negroes
they will elect delegates-they will elect legisla-
tors-they will elect Senators and Representa-
e tives, and seats that have been occupied by
Clay, Webster, Silns Wright, and others, will
be filled with black men from the corn.feld
The corner stone of reconstruction Is negro SUI
frago They attempted to force 1t upon the
people of Ohio, Pennsylvanis, and other States,
and Ben Wade, Garfield, Schenck, and others
can have the satisfaction OF knowing and feel.
ing that though they forced II upon you, their
own constituency rePudiated them.
This Government is 4 white mans Govern
mont, There 10 no place in Gods earth that
the negro, whore the white man was not with
him, did not go backward. The Anglo.Saxon
race has been the race of civilization. To you
belongs the hdbeaS corpus to you belongs the
MsguR Chartai to you liberty owes 1t, rise, and
with you Christianity ID borne on wings over the