New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-30
GEN. SICKLES AT TRENTON.

TRENTON, Jan. 20.-ln spite Of q heavy snow
storm, Taylor Hall crowded, this evening to over
flowing, Win an enthusiastic audience to hear zen.
Daniel i. siees The ostensble object Of the meeting
was to complete the organization OF Grant Club for
which purpose an initial meeting had been some time
previously held The meeting called to order by Mr..
Thomas j. striker. Chairman Prayer Offered by the
Rev. j. b. Dobbns. The Committee appointed to report
an organization for grand campaign club presented
plan They are TO all honorable means to secure the
nomination OF Gen Grant for the Presidency The Hon.
Horace ~ Cougar made President of the Club, with
Vce-Presldent from each ward An executive commit
tee was appointed also corresponding secretary,
treasurers and recording secretary The Chairman Mr..
Cougar In brief but accomplished address, reviewedhe
distinguished services Of Gen. Sickles both in and
In administrations his bravery the field OF battle, and
his courage and fidelity in executing the laws Of Congress
In the South Thus presented Gen sckes received
with the most hearty applause. lie responded in eo
quen aud telling speech OF which the following Is the
substance:
There is profound soicude felt throughout the
try by dsnteTested of all parties that the measures
necessary for tho reconstruction OF the Union upon Sc
and permanent basis be completed as soon as pos
sibe. II is said that unnecessary delay has occurred IN
The prosecution OF the measures undertaken by Con-
gress ~ is important TO ascertain who Is respon-
sie Tor this II may be affirmed with confidence that
the South would have accepted without hesitation, IN
1865 CO. any measure upon which tho several departments
of the Federal Government Executive and Legislative.
had greed II cannot be dOnbted that II was the duty
and fine INT OF the Legislative Department OF the Gov
eminent Ia prescribe tho terms and conditions ON which
those who had broken their relations with the Union
should be restored to political power Congress did
TwOihrds Of Congress approved OF that Amendment
IL was alterward ratified by 81 loyal States H. was re-
iected by every Rebel state II opposed by the Psi
dent with all his Influence, ana power ana patronage.
II was opposed by the Democratic party of the North,
ana hence the responsibility for the failure ~ this irst
and best plan Of adjustment j. equally divided between
the President. the Democratic party and the keDcl-:
Congress performed its duty promptly, Literally ana
fairly In maturing and presenting for the acceptance
NJ the whole country the most generous ana eneh meas
ure paccatiOn ever offered 10y c0nqueflng power 10
ujugated foe. 1t must not he forgotten thai II me
CONSTITUTIONAL Amendment had been accepted by the
Rebel States their local governments NOnd nave peoh
organized and retsablished exclusively by me NinN
populations and II dtptbdeu upon lhshNiNcs vi
no they would hereafter extend the franchise a. means
Of obtaining additional IN 121 ,rc 1o
Congress The a rnatve of leaving the Rebel states WIN
ont civil government looking somewhere among their
population for loynl element WILING ana lcauy 10 81
iabh state Governments upon terms acceptable TO
tnue military government ndehntely1r. at least until
fhe Rebel population of me South should be willing TO
altogether too remote aud too for practical
purpose. II VIII be seen, therefore that Congress IN
ndoptlug what known the Congressional Plan o Re
construction acted under the pressure 81 an oVerhg
necessity not less CONTROL * than that which mpee1
To the continued prosecution Of the war while the enemy
pcrsistony resisted the Union forces Let ~ see Tor
moment who IS responsible for whatever ~ ddy n DC
cured IN tho doS eOpment and completion ~ The existing
plan ~ reconstruction II certainly has been resisted
with increasing tcnacty of purpose by sll the elements
Amendment The President has denounced IT, the South
has denounced IT, the Democratic party has denounced
H. aud in order 10 defeat the nitiaory measures,
large portion 81 the white population South refused to
rod ter their names voters and those who did register
d 80 oiy for the purpose OF defeating the organization
OF state Governments Il It be said that the Conventions
session represent III great measure negro con
stueIcics who Is responsible for that. Certainly not
Congress for they enfranch.ed nineeen-t~entnthS OF
~ white population OF the SOUTH anu more IMAM as
proportion 81 the Rebel army
livery one who knows anything Of Southern opinion
understands that today the South would gladly renoue
iis opposition To the Constitutional Amendment by that
step they could escape The operation 9 'he a prea,
the South viii equally regret their obstinate refusal to
tako part IN the Conventions now IA session, ana ron
which they have voluntarily excluded themselves. "IAt
the country needs for the restoration or peace con
cord and prosperity ia that the executive and legislative
department, % tc Government snail once more DE- i1uhd
acting in harmony. Al orr recent troubles nave
ccpt the policy announced by the representatives
~ the people aud embodied IN the laws OF the Land.
has excited IN public mind the grayest apprehension
OF further conflict II has shaken confidence IN esner
cal circles IL has thrown thousands and tens OF thou
sands 1t OF nsos Tor our S nawSr IL
i IN vain to expect that England would seriously con
slider her obligation 20 pay the Alabama claims lille the
the two Houses o. Congress- not ten Of whom In both
biancirs belong to party which he can claim t. lead
WHY h ID that We see American citizens lying tn foreign
dungeons spectacle without precedent IN the lsst half
century OF history II Is because our Government IL
command protection FOR ciler- abroad The country
Is burdeued with On enormous debit Tue people groan
under heavy taxation Who Il responsible for this debt
aud thi- taxation An effort - made by uuscri,-
pulous partsans 10 hold those who put down the
Rebellion responsible for this debt and taxation.
Wond not De more just 20 affirm that the possibility
a euIallv divided between the Rebels and those who
prolonged the war year at'r Year ~ hcr persistent nnd
unpatrioc opposition In the North IL Is said that more
tn yearot revenue Is loci to the Treasury
by dishonest and Incompetent officials. Who IL responsi
bic FOR his II be not The appointing poNeri II be-
rstr,lued by the TcnuIe-OfO ce bin. that the
tight Of pension for neglect OF duty misconduct ia
office exists unnpnrcd and although II - as-rted all
over the country that millions Of taxes lost every
year ia every state not dozen Instances are known
where The officials concerned have been dismissed The
responsibility the honest discharge of official trusts
eau be eyaded by those Who exercise the power
rDectjng the ucnmbents of office. When, Therefore. N Is
acknowlodg ed. viii now dispute, that higher
standard of character aud capacity for public oco in-
ties the time has arrived for "a change IN
the Executive Department 81 the GoycIhmenI
these slutary reforms evident that me CONSERVE
tive party ss II l. saed WI De adsd between ,e
one hand aud the supporters o the Democratic candidate
the other ItwouId be unrensonaole TO e1ect much
Improvement or. indeed, any considerable change from
the election If either Of these Tor the Offices o trust ana
@ s o1 % Nh Nor Would the election Of Johnson
or Pendlcon, seymour or any other roac0nhIy ear
cnt without which concord and prosperity and security
are impossible The almost universal fayor WIN when
The nomination 81 Grant has been received IL all parts OF
th country Indicates the popular belief that he possesses
i'm prominent degree the attributes required 10 meet
ul tho responsibilities which the present crisis imposes
pou the Executive. His moderation Of temper his free
dom FROM partisan annositios his b2h sense OF honor
his hrinness and zeal throughout the war hls
nagnanimiiy 10 the yanquishod, al commend nm
Ia the people OF the whole country HIS faithful III,
charge under all circumstances or every duty imposed
upon him by Congress, hi, unhesitatiis 'utHtpheu'
Identification with she loyal millions 10 put down tie II,
beon all guarantees that the most perfect accord
would exist letween the Executive ana te eprrsenta
ves of the people There Is reason 70 doubt hnt e
people the South would regard the policy OF MS aanin
stratiOn the utmauni Of the eoit5' ~ - sa, 'ut
GEN Grant political record III ~ thl- u ~ meant
merely that ne has never been politician, II Is true
enough and not less fortunate but ~ cannot ne pre-
tended that he has not borne most responsive con
spcuous and honorable part IN tlo great events upon
which the issues the next Presidential election mus
he decided Let IA glance for moment ~ tihnts pY'ti
cal history. In December 1868 he saih: " huch rs l.-
~ sv,y is forever setlrd;" aud after the naugu