The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1868-10-23
GENERAL BLAIR SPEAKS
HE IS WILLING TO RETIRE.
A Dependent Candidate.
Packing His CaFPet-Bag for
Salt River.

ST. LoUIs. Oct I6.-Genersl Blair
was serenaded last night at his resi-
denee on Washington avenue. Several
Democratic clubs With torches, banzars
and music were present. A large
crowd of citizens flIsd the street.
After referring to local mstters at some
length he spoke as follows:
l am the candidate Of the Democrat
10 party for a very distinguished pos
ition. / expect 10 be a candidate so
long as they desire it; so long as I can
avail to help the great cause which we
all have at heart. But, my fellow
citizens, it will be no Bscrifcs to me or
rather it will be a work of pleasure
to me to surrender that position when
ever by 50 doing I can add one vote to
the strength Of Democracy in this
State orany other Of the States. 1 am
not a candidate for the purpose Of
embarrassing or frustrating and defeat
ing principles which have my cordial
support and when 1 cease to be Of
any use in one capacity am ready to
try it in another, and / call on you
here tonight for the great cause which
we all have, not to hesitate to make
any sacrifice demanded to gain for as
the victory. So am 1 ready to make
any sacrifice required. So am ready
10 60 on and do anything, to take upon
my shoulders any burden, or lay down
any that may have been conferred on
me heretofore. And this brings me to
allude to that rumor in our midst
to-day. A voice "Thafs what We
want" 1t has been said here that both
the candidates for the Presidency and
Vice Presidency have signifed their
intention to decline in favor of some
other candidates. All have to say is
that both ofthe candidates always, from
the moment they were nominated to
this moment always were, and will
always be ready to lay down their
candidacy when it can no longer be of
service to the Democratic party of the
country. [Cheers.
If it should be thought now, if it
should be believed by so doing we
could add to the strength of the Demo
cratic party, and give it better chance
of victory, you win find you are not
mistaken, either in your candidate for
President or Vice President, for they
will justify in your eyes the great
honor and distinction which you cons
ferred on them by showing they are
not unworthy and not insensible of the
honor A voice-''We want no Chase" :"
other VOices-'No, no."l That is for
you to say. Voices-"Well done"
and cries of "Hurrah for Blair"1 lido
not desire, my fellow-citizens, an ex-
preston from you tonight on that sub
ject. l want yon to review it calmly,
and without regard to the feeling Of
any man, because the feelings Of iu-
dividuals are nothing as compared with
the great objects we all have in view,
that of success and the restoration Of
our country. 1 do not intend to aban-
don the field in one sense at least I
mean to bear my share of the battle;
whether in the ranks or as officer will
depend on the wishes of the Democratic
party" General Blair then thanked
the crowd for their attention and bads
them good night.
In the opening part of his speech,
ihe General announced that he was
neither dismayed, terrified, nor dis
at the result Of the recent
elections, which declaration was reeeiY-
ID with cheers.