Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-05-27
Serenade to Grant and COlfax.

General Grant was serenaded at Washing
ton Friday night, by a large concourse OF
his friepds and admirers. After the band
played g Hail to the Chief calls were made
for I" Grant, when he appeared at the door
of his residence, and was greeted with pro-
longed cheers.
After being presented to the crowd by
representative Boutwell,, Gen. Grant spoke
as follows
GENTLEMEN Being entirely unaccus-
toned to public speaking, and without the
desire to cultivate that power (laug hter), it
is impossible for me to find appropriate Ian
guage to thank you for this demonstration
All that L can say is, that to whatever
position 1 may be called by your will, I shall
endeavor to discharge its duties with fidelity
and honesty of purpose. OF my rectitude
in the performance OF public duties you will
have to judge for yourselves by my record
before you
Three cheers were then giveu for Gen
Grant Hundreds of the multitude entered
| the house, congratulated the next President,
and enjoyed hearty hand shaking.
These things over, the procession moved
to the residence of Speaker Colfax. Calls
having been made for him, he appeared at
| some appropriate remarks from Representa-
tive Pike, of Maine. Mr.. Colfax then spoke
| as follows
My FRIENDS Il thank you with all the
| emotions of grateful heart for this fatter
| ing manifestation of your confidence anC
! regard. congratulate you on the auspiciou.
| opening of the eventful campaign on which
we are entering. In the Chicago Con
vention, representing the entire continental
| orc" of tho Ropablie, ovory state, nvery tor
ritory, every district and every delegate
| from ocean to ocean declared that their first
| and only choice for President was Ulysses S
| Grant Great applause.) Brave, and yet
| unassuming, reticent, and yet, when neces
| sary, firm as the eternal hills (applause)
with every thought and hop, and aspira tion
| tor his country with modesty only equaled
| by his merits-it is not extrayagant for me
| to say that he is to-day, of all other men in
| the land, - first in war, first in peace, anC
first in the hearts of his countrymen .
Great applause.) His name is the very
synonym of victory, and he will lead the
Union hosts to triumph at the polls as he lee
the Union armies to triumph in the field
But greater even than the conqueror o
NIcksburg and the DESTROYER of the rebellion
| is the glorious inspiration Of our noble prin-
| clples animated by the sublime truths OF the
Declaration of Independence Our banner
bears an insert ption more magnetic than the
names of its acknowledgements, which the
whole world can see it floats to the breeze
. Liberty and Loyalty, Justice and Public
Safety" Defying all prejudices. we are foi
| uplifting the lowly and protecting the op
pressed (Applause.) History records, t.
| the immortal honor of our organization, thai
| it saved the nation and emancipated a race
We struck the fetter from the limb of the
| slave, and lifted millions into the gloriou.
| sunlight of liberty. We placed the enamel
pated slave on his feet a man, and put into
| his right hand the ballot, to protect his man
hood and his rights. We staked our polit
/ cal existence on the reconstruction of the
revolted states-On the sure and eterna
| cornerstone of loyalty-and we shall tri
J umph. | know there is no holiday contest
| before us but with energy and zeal with
principles that humanity will approve, anc
that | believe God will bless, we shall 70
through the contest conquering and to con
quer, and on the 4th day of March next tn,
peoples champion will be borne by tn,
people, votes to yonder White House that
regret to say is now dishonored by its un
worthy occupant. Then, with peace anc
confidence, we may expect our beloved coun
try 10 enter upon career of prosperity
which shall eclipse the most brilliant annals
of our past | bid you God speed in thi,
work and now, good night.
Applause followed the conclusion of Mr.
| Colfax speech, and the band played an ap
propriate air.