The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-02
THE BOYS IN BLUE.
Soldiers and Sailors Convention
IN Philadelphia.
DELEGATIONS from All Parts or
the Country.
Speeches by Mayor Mdhichael, Generals Bar
mum, Fitzpatrick, Burnsies and Others.


->~~~-~~~~>~--
An IUDosjNg Display AM
ticipated To-Day.
r~ tMnn1,4 -- aNt
tr ,hNsr PHILADELPHIA, Oct I, 1868.
livery train last evening came heavily freighted
with delegations 70 the Soldiers and Sailors Con-
vntaon, besides largo numbers Of enthusiastic repub-
hcans who came a spectators OF what is deemed to
b the greatest display that has yet been made IN
Rannsylvania. To-day was devoted chiefly to Or
ranging the disposition OF the delegates in hotels and
boarding housea A portion Of the afternoon and
evening was occupied In hearing an address OF wei
como nom Mayor NcMichael ana the speeches OF
several prominent republican soldiers. Tomorrow
Ne grand procession comessDn, In which 1t II ex-
pected some twenty thousand men will participate.
OF course every city in the Union Ii moro or less
exersed the question Of the Presidential sue
eeseon, but there Is certainly none In which such
esp seated interest-n fact, positive excitement
Dccvails over the issue a. In this city Of Philadelphia.
1he republicans speak confidently Of carrying the
city; the democrats are equally sanguins Of being
victorious. So far no serious rencontre has taken
place in the streets between the opposing organiza
tons though they jostle each other in the streets
aatly. In fact with the exception Of slight scrim-
rage near the Press once few nights ago, matters
have gone along smoothly.
display Of uncommon courtesy occurred yester-
cay when two Of the rival clubs passed each other
On Chestnut street. Tho democrats took on their
hats to the republicans and the latter observed the
same polite token Of recognition. But there is Q
very wide spread excitement to the result Of the
canvass here. The chances are exceedingly close,
and anything In favor Of the democrats. To-day
Independence Hall was the great centre Of attrac-
ton. The country people thronged in'and around it
through the whole fore and afternoon. Chestnut
street was alive with all conditions OF
people, Flags waved from every elevated
building and the newspaper oces OF the republican
stripe were literally mass Of bunting Forney's
Press once SO bedaubed with old faded banners
II every known and unknown nationality that IL
looked rather like an old rag shop. Somewhat be-
tore three O'Clock in the afternoon the people began
70 assemble In Independence square either side OF
long avenue, which was left vacant for various
delegations to march up through 10 the speakers,
stand.
About I'VE thousand persons all told were assem-
bled when the speaking began. NO great enthusiasm
was manifested, the occasion seemed to be little
premature tomorrow being the principal day--for
any overwhelming outburst.
1 MAYOR M'MIcHAEL's WELCOME
A little after three O'Clock Mayor McMichael ad-
vanced to the front Of the platform and silence being
restored, spoke a. follows
SOLDIERS AND Misunderstanding IN the shadow
81 this venerable edce near to the consecrated hall
e which the foundations Of our republic were es-
tabhshed, on this hall0wed spot where the Declare
ton Of Independence was nrst publicly proclaimed,
and 30 surrounded by these tokens Of indicated
nationality, pr0ner to you, In behalf OF the loyal
people Of Philadelphis who rcverentiy cherish the
Onion that you manfully defended. an earnest and
been expressed in the booming Of the cannon
mat announced your arrival and IN long
you we're conducted nsnsr; IN juSiant strains o.
music that enlivened your progress; In mute but
eloquent emblems that sparkled with memorials OF
women that surged along the streets over which you
passed; in radiant smiles that were sh0wered upon
your ears. And In comparison with these, any
words that might utter would seem tame and
words are not nee aess
TO assure you OF the pleasure we feel IN having
with rs, or the purpose we hold to give You
. h0epitable reception and entertainment. Many
heard that while the war Of the rebellion
20 cheer the ..boys Ia blue on their march; TO pro
vide for them food and rest and healthful comforts
when God Wilsd that they should die here. AWAY
from friends who loved them and homes which they
loved TO soothe their passage to the grave by gentle
ministrations and anectionate s0licitude. And now
that actual war has been succeeded by war OF IDEAS
recognizing, as we do, in the motives that have
inspired you and believing that the influence OF your
presence viii largely aid in achieving the moral
triumph, not less important than that triumph that
crowned your arms we rejoice in your coming and
gladly render you thanks and courtesy and service.
vrterans-1hey who sought to dampen your ener-
denounced the holy war In which you were engagedas
impious aggression, and in the period OF Its high
midst OF your tolls and sacrifices Knocked at and
vled you as hirelings and rufhans; they who would
lowed YOUR dead Comrades e rot pnbured Where
they fell, and withheld from their widows and or
phans means OF scanty subsistence-they now dare
70 charge You that you falsely pretend to be soldiers
and that the object OF your visit Is to perpetrae the
worst political crime OF which freemen can be guilty
to waste breath on such caInmny Let the universal
acclaim with which you have been greeted, let the
glowing testimonials Of admiration and respect
which have been this day paid to you, let the Govern
ors ana ex-Governors Of loyal States who unite In
this celebration, let the delegations OF eminent
you honor, and above oil let your own mutllated
forms aud your SCARED visages aud your own swell
ing bosoms In which Imperishable memories of SUI.
fering and success In the past are mingled with sen.
timents OF just indignation In the present, and pur
poses Of stern retrlDuon In the future. be an all
soiaiiers and saiiors-speaking for the majority OF
my felow-citizens say TO you that Notwithstanding
here = no less honorable to yourselves, no less
0minous TO the foe that was In your presence at
your vaior and the vSlor Of those who fought and
won with you, have given world wide and erdur
ing renown when the insane fury Of the rebellion
government You freely offered your lives for pro-
lection; and now that the insane fury OF defeated
rebels, stimulated and sustained by odious incite-
mests OF Northern allies, once more menaces its In
tegrity you are anxious to attest your determine
son 70 maintain y q any legitimate s, cost and every
well that the gallant spirits who rushed TO the front
70 rescue the nation when the fire and the sword
were employed aginst Il should again be among Its
most Jealous defenders when false doctrines and
evil teachings and revolutionary plottings threaten
q with violent disturbance. And with such an array
on the side Of the right who doubt the issue OF
the c0nfictS
Az gaze on this vast assembiage, composed as IL
n Of men who st0rmed Dones0n and scaled Look
out end penetrated the thick Junges Of the Wilder
ness; men who marched with sherman and rode
with sheridan and bled with Sickles, and con-
lnered with Meade: men who sailed and fought