Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-10-18
FRANK BLAIR.
Ne Speaks to the Democrats of ST
LOuis, and Gives His Views of the
Situation.

He Speaks to the Democrats Of st.
LOuis, and Gives His Views Of the
Situation.
ST. LOUIS, Oct. l6.-General Blair was
serenaded tonight at his residence
on Washington avenue. Several Demo-
cratic clubs with banners, torches and
music were present, and large crowd Of
citizens generally filed the street Az
ter referring to local matters at some
length, the General spoke as follows:
am the candidate Of the Democratic
party for distinguished position, and l
expect to be candidate so long as they
desire it and so long as can avail to help
the great cause which We all have at
heart
But, my fellow. citizens, it viii be no
sacrifice to me, or, rather, it will be
work of pleasure TO me, to surrender that
position whenever, by so doing, can add
one vote to the strength of the Democra-
cyin this State, or any other Of the States.
am not a candidate for the purpose of
embarrassing or frustrating and defeating
the principles which have my cordial
support; ard when cease to be Of use
in one capacity 4 am ready to try it in
another, and call upon you here to.
night, for the great cause which we all
have espoused, not to hesitate to make
any sacrifice demanded to gain for US the
victory SO am ready to make any sac
rifce so an ready TO go on and 90 any
thing; to take upon my shoulders any
burden, or to lay down anything that
may have been conferred upon me here +.
tofOre.
This brings me to allude to that ru-
NOR in our midst to-day; (NOiee-
That's what we want" It has been
said here that both Of 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 of the candi-
dates have always, from the moment
they were nominated TO this moment,
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)
IL it should be thought now, IL it
should be believed, that by so doing we
could add to the strength Of the Demo-
cratic party and give it a better chance
for victory, you will find you are not
mistaken either in your candidate for
Presidency or the Vice Presidency, for
they will justify in yOnr eyes the great
honor and distinction which you have
conferred upon them, by showing that
they are not unworthy and not insensible
of the honor a voice" we want no
Chase other voices, "no, no. That
is for you to say. (YOiees-" well done,
and cries Of hurrah for Blair
! do not desire, my fellow-citizens, an
expression from you tonight GpOn that
subject 1 want you to view it calmly
and dispassionateiy, without regard to
the feelings of any man, because the
feelings Of individuals are nothing in
the scale as compared with the great OBJ
jects we all have in yiew-that of suc-
cess and the restoration Of our country.
| do not intend to abandon the field, in
one sense, at least | mean to beat my
share Of the battle-Whether in the
ranks or as an officer, will depend upon
the wishes of the Democratic party.
General Blair then thanked the crowd
for their attention and babe them goOd>
night In the opening part Of his speech
the General announced that he was
neither dismayed terrified, nor ..discOur-
aged at thf result of the recent elections,
which was received with cheers.