Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-05-26
GRANT AND COLFAX sERENADED-
OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN.


Grant and Colfax were serenaded By
the Radicals in Washington on the even
ing of cd inst. Grant responded as
follows
"Gentlemen: Being entirely unaecus-
toned TO public speaking, and without the
desire 10 cultivate that power llaaghter,I II
is impossible for me to find appropriate
language 10 thank you for this demonstra-
ton. All that can say is this, that TO
whatever, position may be called by your
viii, / shall endeayor TO discharge it vith
fidelity and honesty of purpose. OF my
rectitude in the performance of public du7
ties you will have to Judge for yourselves
by my record before you"
The crowd was tolerably large but the
candidates opening performance excited
no enthusiasm.
The serenaders called on Mr.. Colfax,
who addressed them as follows
any friends, l thank you with all the
emotions Of grateful heart for this fiat
tering manifestation OF your confidence. l
congratulate yOu on the suspicious open
ing of the eyentful campaign on which we
are entering. In the Chicago Convention,
representing the entire continental area of
the republic, every State, every territory,
every district and every delegate, from
ocean to ocean, declared their FIRST and only
choice for President was Ulysses S. Grant.
[Applanse. Brave, and yet unassuming,
reticent, and yet, when necessary, firm as
the eternal hills, [applanse,] with every
thought, and hope, and aspiration for his
country; with modesty only equaled by his
merits, il is not extrayagant for me TO say
that he is to-day the man Of all other men
in the land; "6rst in war, first in peace,
and 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
led the Union armies to triumph in the
field. But greater even than the conqueror
of Vicksburg and the destroyer of the re-
bellion is the glorious inspiration of our
noble principles, animated by the sublime
truths of the Declaration Of Independence.
Our banner bears an inscription more mag
netic than the names of its standard-bear-
ers, which the whole world can see, as it
floats TO the breeze-liberty and loyalty,
Justice and public safety. Detylng all pre-
JUDGES, we are uplifting the lowly and pro
tecting the oppressed. CApplause.1
History records, to the immortal honor
of our organization, that it saved the ma
ton and emancipated race. We struck
the letters from the limbs of the slave, and
lifted millions into the glorious sunlight of
liberty We placed the emancipated slave
on his feet as a man, and put into his right
hand the ballot, to protect his manhood
and his rights; we staked our political ex-
istence on the reconstruction of the res
volted States, on the sure and eternal cor
ner-stone of loyalty, and we shall triumNb.
know there is no holiday contest be-
fore US, but with energy, zeal, with princi-
pies that humanity will approve, and that
1 believe God will bless, we shall go
through the contest conquering and to con-
guer, and on the 4th day of March next,
the peoples champion will be borne by the
peoples votes to yonder White House, that
| regret to say is now dishonored by its I'M
worthy occupant; then with peace and con-
hdence we may expect our beloved country
to enter upon a career of prosperity which
shall eclipse the most brilliant annals Of
the past. | bid yon God speed in this
work, and now, good night"