The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-02-23
Gen. Grants Speech to The Committee
The New York Trih,Sna,o yVaoh;pr

The New York Tribnne's Washing
ton correspondent says:
''On Saturday N orning a. 10 o clock,
Senator Morton and Representatives
Pruyn and Wilson of Iowa, made their
appearance at the headquarters of the
Army tcs the purpose OF presenting TO
general Grant the certificate of his cleo
ton as President of the United States
The Impression that the proceedings
would be altogether private together
with tie fac. that tile Committee arrived
hall hour in advance OF the hour at
which u VAS understood the ceremony
would take place, prevented the pres
sence of a large number of persons who
would otherwise have been attracted by
the interesting proceedings. General
Grant Was in his Office at the time Of the
arrival of the Committee busily engaged
in the performance Of official duties -
They were soon invited into his pres
ence, and with but very little delay,
Senator Morton addressed the Presi-
dent 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, commencing Oh the 18th of March
next, and in few remarks assured the
HiS ClSCtloh was extremely
gratifying TO his countrymen, and that
the people felt assured he would, in ex-
ercising the duties Of his distinguished
Office apply the same energy, integrity,
and patriotism that had characterized
him ia a former sphere Of usefulness;
and in concluding his remarks, said that
be would have the support of tho PEG
pie OF the nation-even including those
who differed politically from him-in
administering the affairs Of the Govern
ment. General Grant, on receiving
from Senator Morton the certificate OF
his election, in firm and audible voice
made the following RESPONSE
Il can promise the Con- mittce that it
will be my endeavor to call around me
as assistants, such men only a.. | think
will carry out tile principles which YOU
have said the counLry desires to see sue.
cessful--economy. retrenchineat. faith
full collection Of the revenue. ADD pay
ment of the pablic debs IF I should
fail in icy first choice, / shall pot at any
time hesitate to make "a second, or even
2 third trial, with the concurrence OF the
Senate, who have the confirming power
and should Just aS soon remove one of
my own appolntees as the appointec of
my predecessor. It would make no diff
ference. There is one matter that
might properly speak of here. and that
| is the selection OF q Cabinet ] have
always felt that it would be rather inlel
icate to announce or even to con suit
with the gentlemen whom | thought of
inviting to positions IN NY Cabinet, be-
fore the official declaration o. the result
of the election was made, although
presumed that there was no doubt about
what that declaration would be. But
after consideration | have come TO the
conclusion that there is not man in the
country who could be invited to a place
in the Cabinet without friends Of some
other gentleman making an effort TO Sc
cure the position; not that there would
be any objection to the party nsmed
| but that there would be others whom
| they had set their hearts upon having in
| the place. / can tell that from the great
number of requests which come to me,
in writing and otherwise, for this par
| ticular person or that one, from different
sets and delegations. If announced in
advance efforts would be made to change
my determi alton, and, therefore, l have
| come to the conclusion not to announce
who / am going to invite to seats in my
/ Cabinet until | send in their names to
| the Senate for confirmation. If | say
anything to them about it, it will GER
tainly not be more than two or three
| days previous to sending in their names
/ think it well to make a public declar
| alton Of this to the Committee, SO that
my intentions may be known
General Grant spoke without any re
serve, and with the greatest frankness
| and courtesy; ard his remarks were re-
/ IL, 81, 4.
every mark OF. interest and appreciation.
Afterward Mr.. Pruyn, of the Commit
tee, addressed the General very briefly
to TIL effect, that while the party with
which he ws-s identified differed politi
caily from the President-elect, he DIES
ed to assure bin that his administration
in carrying out the principles which he
had mentioned would have heir CO ope
ration and hearty support. The Com
mittee then shook hands with the Gen
eral and retired