The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-03-17


RAwLISs.-The citizens Of Illinois, now re-
siding In Washington, assembled at Will
lards' hotel last evening for the purpose OF
adopting certain congratulatory resolutions
to Gen. John A. Rawlins upon appointment
to the office OF Secretary OF War. Al Ii3O
o'clock the meeting was called to order by
Ex-Governor Wood, Of Illinois, and the com
mittec appointed for the purpose reported
series of resolutions which were unanimous
ly adopted. Amer which the meeting re-
solved TO form In procession and proceed In
body to visit the Secretary, who has not
vet removed his office from the late army
headquarters, at the corner Of Seventeenth
and + streets. A procession was formed,
and the 1llinoisnns, to the number OF sixty,
headed by Ex-Governor Wood, proceeded to
call upon the Secretary.
Arriving at his office, they were met by
Col. Webster, who invited the company TO
the large room on the second floor Of the
building, and In few moments General
Rawlins entered the room. He was met by
J. Young Scammon, esq, of Chicago, who
thus addressed him;
R.SEcRErARYi On bohsif and 10 the name Of
your fellow citizens now In thi, city, | am CON.
| missioned to address you upon this interesting
| occasion. We congratulate you upon your APP
| poIntment At the head Of the War ONCE, and
We congratulate the country and the President
| upon so fortunate choice. Illinois has many
| causes Of tn ankfulness Her situation makes
| her, geographically, the most national State OF
the Union. Situated almost in the very centre
| Of the country, between the two great oceans
and mountain chains, looking out on the north
| upon the great lakes on the west, upon the
Father of Waters, and finding Its opposite ter.
| minus 10 almost a southern cline, blessed be.
yond all other States Of our happy land, in II.
| variety Of climate and production, with broad
acres and fruitful soil, capable OF supplying an
Of Blessing iiiume her lot. The heroic event.
ofthe Last four years has demonstrated that hei
record OF courage and patriotism :. not want
who have done honor to our State and nation
It Is certainly not out Of place here to mention
= In word: Of gratitude and eoTmcndstion, th,
congratulate the country that they have beer
, selected as its national armor-heafers.
Your name, sir, Is treasured ~ the heart, Q
I than the great general who has no peer In IN
8 American heart. General GrAnt has bee
chair Of state, and Il i. 4. that You, Who wer
| by his side during all that long and eventfu
: struggle, who aided him byyour counsel, Jujs
: and patriotism, should be placed prominenti
In his Cabinet on the return OF peace. In gu
; heart. 30 name Is more loved AID trusted thai
: you and the country that so faithful, tried
national and efficient a public servant hs
been sPpqpiiInIt uN Secretary q war; The cit
hal a meeting In this city and adopted the FOL
lowing resolutions, which they have commits
5 | STONED me 10 present 10 you,
4 Mr.. Scammon then read the resolutions
n which were as follows:
II The citizens OF Illinois now present
Washington, at meeting held at Willsrdi
, Hotel; on the occasion Of the appointment {
c Rawlins, as Secretary OF War, have Adopte
: the following resolutions;
# :, RtIoiret, That the appointment OF Ger
is an appropriate recognition Of the service
Of our patriotic volunteers, and just ttibut
}. to the ability and noble besrlug OF our distit
guished feliow-citilen during the last mos
evcntful period In our country'a history.
fcsoiped, That we tender 10 Gen. Rswlin
= tht congratulations OF his fellow. citizens
a thu Prairie State, and assure him that, in ou
judgment, no more faithful or competent pei
= son could be named for the place.
/ R,Iolved, That we will go 10 = body to tel
:, der these resolutions to Gen. Rawlins, wit
III our personal congratulations and wishes f
;, his health aud prolonged usefulness.
lc The Secretary appeared greatly moved /
b, the expression of good feeling on the part
N his fellow-cltizcns, and spoke as follows:
&c GENrLEIES: I have not words 10 EXPIRE.
j. the gratitude feel towards you for this CON
/, pliment. shall try to uphold 10 the council
. as have the ability to do so, rememb eri O
IL always that no soldiers upheld the nations Al II
l. Of any State higher than the soldiers OF III
ID nois, during the rebellion, upheld that OF III
~ nois.
" In the exercise OF the duties OF the War d,
v partment shall exercise the best of my abb
r ity, fearing that then shall bring far less
Il that position than ought to be brought Their
ID but what have | shall devote to the prop,
= discharge Of Its duties.
e. The gentlemen present were then lntr
lc duced to the Secretary, who shook ham
ID cordially with each one. General Rawll
Dr appeared very unwell and remarked to SC
Or cral Of his friends that he greatly regrett
It, that his delicate health prevented him fro
wv properly tcstifying his appreciation of &
us compliment paid him. After few momet
spent in social converse the company
for tired. Among the prominent Illlnoisa
nd present were ex-governor Wood, j. Y. Sea
* mon, esq, Hon. Sidney NJ. Cullom, Gene
zen 5. A. lIurlbut, Judge C. Beckwith, Gene
ed Day, Judge T. L. Dlckcy, General IIov,
~. Colonel Bridges and others.