Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-02-13
GENE. GRANT AND MIR. COLFAx
NOTIFICATION OF ELECTION.
SPEECH OF GEN. GRANT AND RE
MARKS OF MIR. COLFAX.


WASHINGTON, February 3-The Congres-
sional Committee appointed to wait upon Gen.
Grant and notify him of of bis election as Pres
ident of the United States, performed that duty
this morning.
At half past ten o'clock Senator Morton and
Representatives Pruyn, Of New York, and
Wilson, of Iowa, made their appearance at the
Headquarters of the Army, for the purpose of
presenting to Gen. Grant the certificate of his
election as President Of the United States
Gen. Grant was in his Office at the time of
the arrival of the committee, busily engaged 10
the performance of official duties. They were
soon invited iato his presence, and with but
very little delay Senator Morton addressed the
President elect, announcing that they were the
committee appointed by Congress to present
him with his commission as President OF the
United States for tour years, commencing on
the 4th of March next, and in few remarks
assured the General that his election was eY
tremely gratifying to his oountrymen, and that
the people tet assured he would, In exercising
the duties OF his distinguished Office. apply the
same energy, integrity and patriotism that had
characterized him in former sphere of useful
ness; and 10 concluding his remarks said that
he would have the support OF the people OF the
nation, even including those who differed polit-
ically from him, in administering the affairs Of
the government
Gen. Grant receiving from Senator Morton
the certificate of his election, announced, amid
interest, on the part of the few gen tlemen pre-
sent, and in firm, audible voice substantially:
that in accepting the Office of President of the
United States he assured them of his determi-
nation to carry out faithfully the obligations of
that office, and referred particularly to the ne
cessities for an honest and faithful discharge of
the revenue laws. He would call around him
men who would earnestly carry out the princl-
pies of economy, retrenchment, and honesty,
which were desired by the people OF the coun'
try Should the officers of the different
branches of the government service not satisfy
him in the discharge of their official functions,
he would not hesitate a moment about remov-
ing them, and would do so just as quickly with
his own appointments as with those OF his
predecessor. Gen. 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 who he would invite to be-
come members. In the interval however, he
had concluded not to make known the names
of the gentlemen whose services he would be
glad to have in this respect even to the gentle
men themselves, until he sent them into the
Senate for confirmation The reasons Tor this
determination Gen. Grant said were because OF
the fact that should he do so, pressure would
Immediately commence from various parties to
endeavor to induce him to change his determi-
nation; not so much probably from the fact that
the opposition would be made from perso nal
motives; but on account OF the interest which
gentlemen may have for their own friends.
For these and other reasons he had concluded
to make no public announcement Of his Cabl
net until the time mentioned.
Gen. Grant spoke without any reser We, and
with the greatest frankness and courtesy, and
his remarks were received by his distinguished
visitors with every mark of interest and appro-
baton.
Afterwards Mr.. Pruyn, Of the Committee,
addressed the General very briefly, to the effect
that while the party with which he was idcnti-
fed, differed politically from the President
elect, he desired to assure him that his admin
istration in carrying out the principles which
he had mentioned. would have therhearty sup
port and Co operation.
The speeches were delivered more in con-
versationa tone than 10 formal set manner.
The members of the staff of General Grant
and about twenty gentlemen, including the
committee and staff officers, were present.
The Committee then proceeded to the Capt.
to-, land waited upon Speaker Colfax in his room
when they also presented to him the certificate
OF his election to the Vice Presidency, and
congratulated him. Mr.. Coltax expressed his
qualification, and said in accepting the office,
his desire was to manifest his appreciation OF
the honor conferred upon him by his friends.
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