Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-09-25
NR. GRIswOLD's SPEECH.

Abiding to his invitation to address "a few
friends - there, Mr.. Griswold said
" If the standard Of a few friends IS to be-
measured by this immense concourse, then | can
understand that il was but .ew friends who iu
the Green Mountain State the other day gave
forth the record of the ballct-box so gloriously
lApplause and cheers | can understand how
It Is that but few friends re-echoed the voice
that went back to the Green Mountain State
from the Pine tree State when she >wellel up
her majority to 23 900 for the Republican ticket
and if few friends can accomplish 80 much in
those States, then have abiding faith that -
few friends in the State Of New York will H.
dorse and corroboraie and re-echo the sentiments
that have come from Vermont and from Maire.
tCheers and applausel
By curious, most significant, and, il seems
to me, .lmost provilential coincidence. We selsst
the man as the great stHnlard-bearer Of our Re-
publican forces, who, having carried the nation
through its terrible valley Of war, has brought
it to the plain Of peace. say and you say that
the country has right 10 demand. and i'll the
name Of all That is worth preserving, say 10
the people Of the South, as well as 10 their sym
pathizers in the North, that not only DO We de
sire peace, but we viii have it, Applause and
cheers. And after this long conflict why IS il
that We are not in perfect repose Why is it that
the issues in the present campaign are not these
Of ordinary campaigns, of ordinary political con-
tests Why Is it that We are called upon again
10 discuss the merits Of the war which We have
just closed Simply, my friends and fOllow-citi-
Iens, because those who were unable TO destroy
the Republic by force Of arms are now prepared,
as they distinctly and uneq quivocally, TO Sc
cure through the bAllot-box what they lost on
-. Il. - /.
pathzers Of theirs at the North saw in a crushed
rebellion the recuperation Of political party. /
cite one single fact conclusive truth, or At y
events, as an incident carrying conviction 10
every unprejudieed mind. Among the delegates
10 the Democratic Convention which assembled
on the 4th Of July in the City Of New ! iork.
numbering, rs it did, the men Of the North and
South who were slike responsible for the pro-
tractei course Of the war,-am0ng those dele
gates there were hirty-ihree who had been IL
mates Of Fort Lafayette for disloyalty and trea-
son. [Cheers.l
Now, say TO you, gentlemen, as ! say every
where, SO far as | may represent the sentiments
az the party to which am attached, we desire
only the good of the North and the South.
Loud Applause and Cheers As am address
ing Democrats perhaps well as Republicans
Voice That's SO, y | should hesitate to say
anything 10 wound the feelings Of any sincere
and honest man. do not arraign every mem
Der of the Democratic party as disloyal and un-
worthy Of trust and countenance, and when
speak of that party. speak simply Of the lead
ers Of it, the men who are the representatives Of
the party, and who led the rank and file as they
see fit and proper.
Gentlemen, | believe that the future of the re-
public is safe believe in the Intelligence, the
patriotism, the love Of liberty, and the devotion
to country which have been eyinced in such
abundant measure by the masses Of the people. |
believe that they in the future will carry US
safely through, as they have in the past. | be-
lieVe that the very men who rushed to the rescue
Of the national standard, and who destroyed thst
banner which was thrown to the breeze as the
emblem Of rebellion and treason, and who, with
out reference to personal comfort or regard for
personal interest, went forth to do battle in the
yindication Of the emblem Of national liberty,
who planted that emblem upon every mountain
top and in every valley-thAt those brave boys
will DOW stand as they then stood, and by that
flag which has been made the sign Of true
liberty everywhere in this broad land-the en-
bem of liberty for men, without distinction Of
| color or race. Enthusiastic and long continued
applause.]