New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-06-21
NEW ORLEANS REPUBIIOAN, lsUNDAY, JUNE q, -l868

politics when he declared that if elected it
would be his highest care to execute the
will of the people. He is man of liberal
education and large experience. He was
graduated at the best school in America
He has since that time had a wide ex-
perience ofaatfairs. Above all, he is man
OF honest purpose, of perfect personal in
tegrity, OF clear perceptions and determined
purpose. He must be elected. He will be
elected. loud applause.)
Fellow.eitizens, some of us were in the
army of General Grant during the war, and
some were not. Some of us were called to
serve our country in the field, and some just
as good were called to serve her in other
ways. The war is over, but the great polit.
ical campaign which is to secure us, we
hope, the legitimate fruits of the victory of
the Union arms has just begun. in the
peaceful struggle for the supremacy of our
principles we are all soldiers, and Grant,
not as soldier, but as a citizen--is our
leader. We will move on like true army.
The true soldier is an unselhsh man. He
fights not for himself, but for his flag; so
will we contend. The true soldier is
brave man. He cheerfully risks health,
comfort, and life for the good of the cause;
so will we contend. The true soldier is a
man of discipline. He obeys orders and
observes rules; he fights with the army; so
will we contend. Shoulder to shoulder we
will move on, elbow touching elbow, and
each foot keeping time to the music of
freedom and the Union. Great applause.)
You cry "Hurrahr-it is word which is
used more often in political campaigns
than any other, and very notable word it
is. l mean this word "Hurrah.n like to
study the origin of such words, and find
by looking in the dictionary that it is of
Oriental origin. that it was the battle.cry
of the Arabians, and it meant ''To Para
disc, > ''To Heaven, ITO Glory" We use
this explosive word with the same idea
We strive for political heaven in our coun-
try; for the millennial reign of liberty, of
justice, of equal rights before the law, of
universal education, and a recognition of
the indefeasible rights of manhood. When
we say hurrah for Grant we mean that we
are on the way to this happy state:
we mean that we are on our way
to this glorious consummation, and
tell you, fellow citizens, when these
noble truths we advocate shall have free
course and full triumph in the United
States, it will be as nearly political heaven
as is possible to weak humanity. Toward
this we move with Grant as our leader.
Shall we, with this idea in our minds, say,
"Hurrah for Grant ?" (Great cries OF
''Yes.') Well, then, three cheers for Grant!
Three tremendous cheers were given, and
the Judge retired.
In presenting Mr.. Durant to the assem-
bled masses Governor Warmoth said there
was no need of formally introducing him
as his name was household word; and he
had go long identified himself with the Re.
publican party of Louisiana that he was
known to almost every individual compos.
ing it.
Speech OF Hon. Thomas j. Durant.
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND FELLOW CITIZENS: /
was glad to hear the remark of Judge Howe
that as a rule there was not much in pro-
tesstonal speechmaker. l scarcely feel on
this occasion able to make a speech at all.
think, fellow citizens, that the moral
and political contest in which all
are now engaged is not inferior in
importance to any in which the Amer
lean people have been involved since
the beginning of this government. True, it
is not destined to swell as the contest for
and against secession did, into the roar of
artillery and the clangor of arms, but it
does involve as deeply and as truly the
fundamental principles upon which Ameri.
can government is founded. 1t involves
the very doctrine of popular government
1t will decide the question whether in this
country the people and their representa-.
tives in Congress are to be the supreme
power which is to dictate the law of the
land, or whether there shall be substituted
the will of one man who at the time may
chance to be President-whether, in short,
monarchy is to be substituted for repub
imperialism for popular rights.
For as you all understand, familiar as you
are with the history of the past two
or three years, the claim of the
present executive falls nothing short
of this; that such laws of Congress as are
consistent with his good will and pleasure
he will obey, and such as do not meet his
approval he will refuse to execute, or what
is still worse, he will endeavor to thWari
in their proper execution. And if the
American people, calmly considering such 6
claim, knowing its fuh extent, aware of the
| consequences to which it must inevitably
lead us, are willing to acquiesce in hi,
dictates and support the principles of hi.
party, then they are willing to give up the
| privilege of popular government, and are
willing to submit, as people of less happy
countries Go, to the imperial sway of DIES
| pot Mr.. Johnson has declared that those
laws of Congress which he approves he Will
execute, and those which he does not ap
prove he will not put in force. 1t was fol
this he was tried before the Representatives
of the people. 1t was not so important that
the President should be convicted
OF thu. crimes with which he wal
Charged, but it was important that he
should be tried. 1t was important that il
the face of the whole world, while Europe
with its monarchical institutions, was look
| ing on, 1t was important that In the pres
ence Of free people the man who had de
featcd the laws and though he was thu
chief magistrate, had placed himself above
the necessity of executing them
before the Constitutional tribuna
and compelled to plead like any other Grim
inal. This was a triumph, whatever thu
result (; this was a triumph of the Repub
lican principles. It displayed to him anC
to his party si.d the world that the American
people had the power to try their chic
| magistrate or any other officer when b,
pursues course contrary to the law, ant
to guide the counsel of the people, wht
g know their rights, and knowing dar,
maintain.n There is no werthier chieftaiI
/ than he whose name appears upon tina
banner; there is no worthier heutenan
than be whose name stands second upo1
the list, and / think that Thu
men who were nominated at Chi
cago were the best men, not onll
ROW In this nation, to lead the destinies O
the republic, but as my predecessor said
4 they are Worthier in every respect than am
other men who have been placed in powej
by the American people since the era O
the Industrious founder of our republic.
think that the convention at Chicago pre-
sented the most sublime spectacle 10 thu
world that any convention OF a similar kint
ever presented TO the eye Of man. It wa
the first time in the annals Of America tina
the whole American people was represent
ed. No State, no portion, no race, NJ
color was unrepresented there.
/ For the first time in the history of oJ1l
country a nominating convention was as
sembledtO which were admitted represent
atives Of the African race in America. (Ap
plause.) II was composed Of men from
| every part of the country, some who haC
unfortunately adhered to the rebellion, bu
who had repented. but RlInnat wholly q