The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-02-15
Presentation of the Certificates of
Election.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., February 10
This morning at half past 10 Senator
Morton and Representatives Pruyn and
Wilson, of Iowa, made their appearance
a. head quarters of the army for the
purpose of presenting TO General Grant
the certificate of his election as Presi
dent Of the United States. Senator
Morton addressed the President elect,
announcing that they were the commit
tee appointed by Congress To present
him with the commission as Pres ideht
of the United States for four years,
commencing on the 4th of March
next, and ia a few remarks as
sured the General that his election
was extremely gratifying to his cOun-
trymen and that the people felt assured
that he would, in the exercise of the
duties of his distinguished office, apply
the same energy, Integrity aud patriot
ism that had characterized him in
higher sphere of usefulness, and in con-
Guiding his remarks, he said he would
nave the support of the people of the
nation, even including those who differ
ed practically from him i'll administer
Ing the affairs of the Government.
In receiving the certificate of cleo
tion General Grant said that in accept
Ing the Office of President of the United
States, he assured them of his deter
miuatIOu 20 carry ont faithfully the OBJ
legations of that office, aud referred par
ticularly 10 the necessities for an hon
est and faithful execution of the rev.
enue laws. He would call around him
men who would earnestly carry ont
principles of economy, retTenchment
and honesty, which were desired by the
people of the country. Should the
officers of the different branches of the
Government service not satisfy him in
the discharge of their official duty, he
would not hesitate moment abous re
moving them and would do so Just as
quickly with his own appointments as
with those of his predecessor. General
Grant stated he had not announced his
Cabinet up. TO the time of the official
declaration of the result of the election,
hut 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 couclud
ed not to make known the names of
gentlemen whose services he would be
glad to have in this respect, even
TO the gentlemen themselves till he sent
them into the Senate for confirmation.
His reason for this determination, Cen
eral Grant said, was because of the fact
that, should he do so, a pressure would
immediately commence from varlous
parties to endeavor to induce him to
change his determination; not so much.
probably, from the fact of the opposi-
ton that would be made from personal
motives, but on account of the interest
which the gentlemen have for their own
friends. For these and other reasons he
had concluded to make no public an
Douncement of his Cabinet until the
time mentioned.
General Grant spoke without any re-
serve and with the greatest frankness
and courtesy, and his remarks were re-
ceived 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 par
ty with which he was identified differed
practically from the President elect. he
uesIteU to assure him that his admins
ulS!'on IN carrying QUE the principles
-. NC uaN mentioned, wOald have
'n g, "e"''! support and cooperation.
lhe speeches were delivered more in
conversational tone than in \ formal
set manner, aud the occasion ,y,s nna -;
quiet though of the most intens MS G ints VI
est. me members OF the star -.
present. The committee, after lso'.;a
General Grants headquarters. procasdaS
to the Capitol and waited on SneoL eu
COlfax in his reception room, to present
him with the certificate of his electio,,
as Vice President, signed by the Presi-
dent of the Senate, and then severallv
congratulated him, to which friendly
expressions he responded as follows:
gentlemen, please convey to the
Houses of Congress my acceptance of
the office to which | have been elected
by the people of the United States, and
asssie them that shall endeavor to
prove worthy OF this mark of confidence
by ndellty to principle and duty.
The committee then withdrew