Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-05-29
GENERAL GRANT NOTIFIED OF HIS
NOMINATION BY THE SOL
DIERS AND SAILORS,
The Generals speech.


The Generals speech.
The committee of the National Soldiers and
Sailors Convention, recently held in Chicago.
appointed to notify General Grant OF his nom-
ination for the Presidency by that Convention,
waited upon General Grant this afternoon at
one O'Clock, at his headquarters on 18th street.
for the purpose of discharging the duty as.
signed to them. The committee was composed
of the following named gentlemen Col H
q. Alleman, (chairman,) Gen. W. NJ Gregg
Gen. John A. Logan, Gen. Alfred Pleasanton.
Gen. Jos. Il. Hawley, Gen. Z. W. Rice, Col
w. b. Stokes, Capt A. Grant, and w. A.
Short. Gen. ID. f. Sickles, Gen John R. Har
tranft, and Gen. L. Fairchild, members of the
committee, were unable to be present The
committee was received by General Grant
and having been introduced, Col. Alleman
the chairman, spoke as follows:
General: The soldier and sailor citizens who
assisted in disarming treason, by their repre-
sentatives In National Convention assembled,
made proclamation of political principles,
and dec olaratIon Of Presidential preference
We are committee delegated 10 present you
an authenticated copy of their platform of
principles. The principles enunciated are can
did, precise. and expressive. They are uue.
qulyocal in their designated choice. emphatic
in their tone. and decided in tteIr character
They breathe the pure spirit of loyalty of oer-
~. and OF equality before the law. They con-
form to the preaohings of the fathers of the
Republic, and never lose sight of the God like
truth "That all men are created equal
They recognize no political distinction bet iween
the naturaliZed and the native born citizen
and demand Governmental protection to ali
citizens OF the country, whether at home or
abroad. They admit no discrimination in legal
rights Of race or caste, and make LOYALTY, only,
the debt OF political privileges They are firm
in their denunciations of apostacy. and speak
IN thunder tones against the recreants who
hn load
names you as the only and unanimous choice
OF the survivors ofthe war, for the Chief Mag.
istracy of the nation.
The free-will Offering OF Presidential nomi.
nation, which promises certainly of success. is
the highest compliment which can be paid to
an American citizen. That distinguished com.
pllment has been rendered you in its most un-
selfish, most acceptable and most exalted form.
1 ne act was voluntary, the choice of unprece-
dented unanlmity - springing affectIonately
from the hearts of your fellow comrades. and
seconded oy the gratitude Of the loyal millions
o. the land. The close of the war
brought the returned soldiers of the Key.
stone Commonwealth into State Con nyention,
Wnen the Speaker introduced resolution
proposing you as the Soldiers choice for the
highest post in the gift OF the people That res.
olution was received with the most rapturous
enthusiasm, and its sentiment was speedily
and gratefully echoed from ocean to IN, and
from the cnain OF lakes IN the North to the great
gulf In the South. The feeling was sincere: the
enthusiasm unbOunded; eliminating i'm toe ex.
pressed gratitude, the expressed love. and the
expressed confidence OF your companions in
aims Tor their beloved commander. Your
comrades honor you because they love Won.
because you have been true to the Government
which fostered you; true to the rights of hu-
manly: true to the interests Of loyalty: true to
the principles OF justice and equality, and true
TO your honor as a soldier. You were to your
country during the rebellion what Washington
was to the patriots of the Revolution, .First in
war, nrst In peace, and first in the hearts of
your countrymen.'
The Republican Convention. in the fuIlpess
OF Its love for the soldier. with one voice and
one heart, declared for you, well done good
and faithful servant, thou hast been mindful
over few things, We will make thee ruler
over many" They rewarded merit with their
highest honor; they paid their happiest compIi.
accepting our choice for the Presidency, and
king our nomination their unanimous rati.
fcation. Our council of war has ended. and
you are our chosen chief. You will find the
volunteer army in good fighting trim: the ranks
nIled to their maximum; the commands well
omcered, and the supplies both ample aud ex-
eelleni The troops are in the highest state Of
discipline. There was some detection: but il
has all been remedied by the promptness ana
emciency OF drum head court-martial"
The necessity wrung bitter anguish from every
Gesr n heavng sghs Of ardent hope and
IN rome OF Almighty God, that We should
"never look upon its like again." We are
stronger now than ever-more courageous and
we have posted our pickets: we have formed
our lines; we have protected our ranks and
are ably supported by millions of militia.
with Schuyler Colfax at their head. At YOUR
command FORWARD" we will ssInOve on the
enemy's works" Here is our plan of battle.
tpresenting the resolutions.l We will slight il
out on this line all summer" and send the en-.
emy "whiriing down the valley" We will
charge them in 'front.' storm their breast
works, pierce their centre, flank their stroug.
holds, and take them in the rear, where we will
have repeated the familiar summons from our
Chmmander-in.C Chief, 81 demand an uncondi
tional surrender" Our victorious General
shall then mount the pinnacle OF Fame, twice
dignined by washing ton, twice honored by our
Lincoln. We have the honor, sir. to submit
the plan of battle.
General Grant replied as follows:
Gentlemen Of the Committee Of Soldiers and
SddcTs: will say that it was never a desire of
mine 10 be candidate for any political office.
IL Is source OF graufication to me 70 feel that
have the support OF those who sustained me
through the great rebellion which we have
passed. If did not feel had the support of
those, / would never have consented to be a
candidate. 1t was not a matter of choice with
me, but hope, as have accepted, that 1 will
nave your aid and support, from now until
November, as had it during the rebellion.
The General then conversed pleasantly with
the members Of she Committee; after which
they withdrew.
AT half-past two o'clock the Committee visi.
ted speaker Coifax at his residence, opposite
Lafayette Square.
RESIGNATION ACCEPTBD.-The resignation
OF Edwin j. Stanton, clerk in the War De-
partment, mas been accepted by the Chief Clerk.
and ne has retired from the Department.