Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1868-05-28
Grant and Colfax Serenaded

Gen. Grant was serenaded last Friday
evening. After the band played "Hail
to the Chief" calls were made for Grant.
He appeared at the door of his residence,
and was greeted with prolonged cheers.
Representative Boutwell,, ofMassachu-
sets, who was standing at his side, ad-
dressed him in terms expressive ofgrati-
fication at his unanimous nomination by
the Chicago Convention.
GEN. GRANTS SPEECH.
Gen. Grant said. ,"Gentleman, being
entirely unaccustoried to public speak-
ing, and without the desire to cultivate
that power [laughter], it is impossible
for me to find appropriate language to
thank you for this demonstration. All
that can say is this, that TO whatever
position may be called by your will, I
shall endeavor to discharge its duties
with fidelity and honesty of purpose.
Ofmy rectitude in the performance of
public duties. you will have to judge for
yourselves by my record before you.n
Three chez rs were then given for Gen.
Grant, and hundreds of the crowd enter
ed the house and congratulated the Gen
eral.
The procession then moved to the resi-
dence Of Speaker Colfax. Calls having
been made for him, he appeared at the
door of his residence In company. with
Representative Pike, of Maine, who, in
few remarks, introduced Mr.. Colfax.-
The latter said:
SPEECH OF MIR. coLFAX.
"My friends, / thank you with all the
emotions of grateful heart, for this fat
tering manifestation of your confidence.
L congratulate you on the ahspicious
opening of the eventful campaign OH
which we are entering. In the Chicago
Convention, representing the entire con-
| tInental area ofthe Republic, every State,
every Territory, every district, and every
delegation from ocean to ocean, declared
that their first and only choice for presi.
dent was Ulysses s. Grant. [Great ap'
plause. Brave, and yet unassuming
reticent, and yet when necessary, firm
as the eternal hills [applause1; with
every thought and hope and aspiration
ed by his merits, 1t Is not extravagani
for me to say that he Is to-day the mar
of all men In the land, first in war, flrst
in peace and first In the hearts of his
countrymen.' [Great applause.l Hi,
name Is the vely synonym of victory
and he will lead the Union hosts to vic
tory at the polls, Ms he led the UnioI
armies to triumph In the field. Blu
greater even than the conqueror OF Vicks
burg and the destroyer of the rebellion
Is the glorious inspiration of our nobl
principles, animated by the suhlim
truths of the declaration ofIndependenc
Our banner bears an inscription NOR
magnetic than the names fits standar
bearers, which the whole world can BE
as 1t floats to the breeze: Liberty an
loyalty, Justice and public safety. De
fying ali preludices, We are for upliftin
the lowly and protecting the oppressed
fApplause.1 History records to the I'm
mortal honor of our organization that
saved the nation and eman eipated q rac'
We struck the letters from the limbs {
the slave, and lifted millions into til
1 sunlight Of liberty. We placed th
2 emancipated slave on his feet as maj
: and put into his right hand the ballot
0 protect his manhood and his rights. w
Q staked our political existence on the r,
4 construction of the revolted States; O
v the sure and eternal corner stone OF 10,
: atty, and we shall triumph. l kno
q there Is no holiday contest before us, b'
/, with energy and zeal, with principle
Q that humanity will approve, and that
v believe God will bless, we shall {
: through the contest conquering and
i conquer, and on the 4th day of Marc
a next the peoples champion will be borl
L by the peoples votes to yonder Viii
Il House, that, / Iregret to say, is now di
d honored by its unworthy occupant.
!. Then with peace and confidence we m,
/. expect our beloved country to enter up'
a career Of prosperity which shall eclip
the most brilliant annals Of her past.
= bid YOU God speed in this work, an
" now, good night,
e Applause followed the conclusion
70 Mr.. Colfax's speech, and the hand pla
y cd an appropriate air. Many persons
the crowd entered the dwelling and 9
a tended their congratulations.