The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-02-20
The President and Vice President Elect.


On saturday morning, 18th inst at past
10 o clock, Senator Morton and Representa-
tives Pruyn. Of New York, and Wilson, of
Iowa, made their appearance at the head
quarters of the army for the purpose of
pres nting to General Grant the certificate
OF his election as President of the United
states. The impres sion that the proceed
ings would be altogether private together
with the fact that the committee arrived a
half hour in advance of the time at which
it was understood the ceremony would take
place. prevented the presence of 4 large
number Of persons who would otherwise
have been attracted by the interesting pro-
ceedings. General Grant was i'll his office
at the time of the arrival of the committee,
busily engaged in the performance of his
official duties. They were soon invited into
his>presence, and with but very little delay
Senator Morton addressed the President
elect, announcing that they were the COM
mittee appointed by Congress to present
him with his commission as President of
the United States for four years, common
cling on the 4th Of March next, and in few
remarks assured the General that his cleo
ton was extremely gratifying to his coun-
trymen. and that the people felt assured he
would, in exercising the duties of his dis
tinguished office, apply the same energy,
Integrity, and patriotism that had charac-
tcrized him in former spheres of usefulness
In concluding his remarks he said that he
would have the support of the people
OF the nation. even including those who
differed politically from him. in admins
tering the affairs of the Government
General Grant, receiving from Senator Nor
ton the certificate OF his election, an
nounced, amid intense interest on the
part Of the few gentlemen who We're pres
ent. and in firm. audible voice, substan-
TALLY, that in accepting the Office of Presi-
dent of the United States he assured them
of his determination to carry out faithfully
the obligations of that Office and referred
particularly to the necessities for an honest
and faithful discharge of the revenue laws.
He weuld call around him men who would
earnestly carry out the principles of econo-
omy. retrenchment, and honesty which
were desired by the people of the country.
Should the officers of the branches of the
Government service not satisfy him in the
discharge of their duties. he would not
hesitate Il moment about removing them.
and would do SO just as quickly with his
own appointments as with those of his
predecessor. General Grant stated that he
had not announced his Cabinet up to the
time of the official declaration of the result
of the election, but had intended at that
period to make known the names of those
whom he would invite to become members.
In the interval, however. he had concluded
not to make known the names of the gen
tlemen whose services he would be glad to
have i'll this respect. even to the gentlemen
themselves, until he sent them into the
Senate for continuation. The reason for
this determination, General Grant said,
was because of the fact that should he do
so pressure would immediately commence
from various parties to endeavor to induce
him to change his determination. enot so
much probably from the fact that the oppo-
sition would be made from personal motives,
but on account Of the interest which pen-
tlemen might have for their own friends
For these and other reasons he had con-
cluded to make no public announcement of
his Cabinet until the time mentioned
General Grant spoke without any reserve.
and with the greatest frankness and cour-
tesy. his remarks were received by his dis
tinguishcd visitors with every mark of III
terest and appreciation. Afterwards. Mr..
Pruyn, of the committee. addressed the
General very briefly. to the effect that while
the party with which he was identified diff
fercd politically from the President elect.
he desired to assure him that his admins
itttii. pttt lIc WHICH
he had mentioned, would have their hearty
support and cooperation. The speeches
were delivered more in Il conversational
tone than in Il formal set manner, and the
occasion was one of quiet though most in
tense interest. The members of the staff
of General Grant were present. About
twenty gentlemen were present altogether,
including the committee. and staff officers.
The committee, after leaving General
Grants head quarters. proceeded to the
Capitol and waited upon Speaker Colfax in
his reception room. They presented him
with the certificate of his election as Vice
President, signed by the President of the
Senate, and then severally congratulated
him, to which friendly expression he re-
Sponded:
GENTLEMEN Please convey to the two
houses of Congress my acceptance of the
Office to which | have been elected by the
people of the United States. and assure
them that | shall endeavor to prove worthy
of this mark of confidence by fidelity to
my principles and my duty.
The committee then withdrew.