Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-03-07
THE GRANT MOVEMENT.
Meeting az the -ResoIu
lions, Speeches, etc.

ME- a. .. onankland as CHAIRMAN who on
taking his seat stated the objects of the
meeting 10 few remarks.
The editors and reporters of the different
newspapers present were appointed secre-
taries. a.l
Ex-Gov. Foote then offered the following
preamble and resolution which were read
by him and after some remarks adopted:
WHEREAS, This meeting of citizens of
Tennessee has convened in compliance with
call inviting the presence of individuals
without regard to former political afilia-
tons or former party names, for the pur-
pose of expressing the confidence of those
who assemble, in the integrity, patriotism,
and of capacity General Ulysses s. Grant
10 administer with success the high Office
to which he has been recently elevated
BY the suffrages of his countrymeu !:
Therefore,
Be it resolved, That this meeting of cit
liens without distinction of party take
great pleasure in declaring their respect
Ior the new President as a soldier, a pri-
vate citizen, and patriot; their confidence
In his good sense, his equity, and his mod
Grafton, and their conviction and desire
that IN administering the government in
accordance with the general principles set
forth in his inaugural, with the aid of the
safe and excellent cabinet he has selected,
he will be able TO secure to our whole
country increased prosperity and happi-
ness, and to all classes of our fcountrymen
the fullest enjoyment of life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness.
GOV. FOOTE'S REMARKS.
Mr.. Chairman: / am not disposed to
make an extended address to the meeting.
1t is unnecessary. 1fspeeches are regarded
as desirable, prefer that my friends pres.
ent shall attend to the matter. The pre-
smble and resolution embody my views in
full, and hope and believe such views as
as ell parties and classes of our community
concur IN. They at any rate express my
own. l have been a close observer of the
conduct of Gen. Grant since his election /;
and l have seen nothing that he has either
said or done during the time which has
since elapsed, that has not increased
my respect for his character, and
added to my confidence in his integrity.
his patriotism and his admirable good
sense. l am confident that he intends to
be the President of the whole people, and
TO labor earnestly and diligently for the
repose and happiness of all of US. / re-
Joiee that be goes into the office
OF President untrammeled," pre-
pared to act out the part which
events have assigned 10 him, in a
calm, dignifed and statesmanlike manner.
Those who might be induced to feel any
curiosity in regard TO my thoughts in this
matter IN more extended and detailed
manner, refer to an article over my own
signature in one of our leading newspapers
this morning.
10 reference to the cabinet, shall only
say that so far as l am acquainted with
the gentleman who are to compose il, they
are just such men ia all respects as he
should have chosen, and as will efficiently
aid that distinguished chief in the great
task before him.
l cheerfully give way to others who ]
hope will address this meeting.
Col. A. S. Colyar having written his
speech read as follows;
Grant they would have a President who
would do great deal in harmony with the
people. Certainly there is a great destiny
for our people and certainly we can
live together and it will not be long until
every man in Tennessee will be a voter.
Nou all know how anxious | have been
for long time that these restrictions be
removed from the DISTINGUISHED people.
The best thing in. Gen. Grants inaugural
address is the making Of a greenback
dollar as good as q gold dollar" That
utterance will have al excellent influence
in this country. He hoped fraternal feel
ing with one another would be cultivated,
and that they would throw all their educa-
lion, wealth and genius together and make
Tennessee one of the best States in the
Union. He loved Tennessee and her
noble, generous and brave people. Why
not love Tennessee? Why not 10000
more men from the North come down here
and live? After some further remarks
he concluded his speech, and was followed
Mr.. CoLYAR's SPEECH.
10 olden times, under the rigid party
regime of Wing and Democrat, it was well
nigh worth a good mans reputation to
speak in terms of eommendation of any,
thing coming from the leaders of the oppo-
site parry. The fear of public party ostra-
cism is still a terror to many people, but
rust the better class of our intelligent citi-
Zens are learning that the man and his
deeds, without regard to his party, are the
subjects Of a just and proper criticism
For several years / have labored to edu.
cate myself In the doctrine of sustaining
whatever was good and condemni0g what
ever was bad.
In the light Of the times have tried to
read President Grants inaugural, and am
prepared 10 speak about it unreservedly.
l an conscious of the fact that this paper
Is D., what many partisRns on both sides
desired. | am equally conscious that
mary good men of this section who are not
parlisans, DO not find in it, the strong
words of comfort which they hoped for.
Many Of the great men of the ten States
which suffered go much from the war and
its effects, hoped to hear from the new
President an assurance of his desire that
these States should speedily be restored to
their places under the constitution and all
political disabilities removed. Not finding
the new President coming up TO their
wishes in this respect, come are despon.
IDENTIFY Criticising his inaugural. And at
the same time | have no doubt extreme
politicians on the other side, are also criti-
cising the inaugural because in it there is
no pledge Of feslty 10 any party.
] am not here to become the fulsome
adorer of Gen. Grant, or even of indorsing
all that he has said in this paper but l
am here to join other gentlemen, who
think as ] do, in giving expression to a
most important truth, and that is, that all
questions of a secondary characterize
matter how important in the Abstract
should be dispensed with until the absorb.
ing question of a national restoration, as
well IN the sympathy of the people as the
of their political rights,
is accomplished, and that the common and |
public approval Of all that is national and |
not sectional in this inaugural, is the best |
step that can I've taken to attain that end.
After most caDful reading of the adj
dress, am willing to say, and say it with
great pleasure, that / think discover in
it-sul iect 10 crici,ism as il is-a desire |
10 the new President to heal these wounds. !
II | am right in this, if President Grant |
actually and earnestly desires that the dis
uurbed waters shall become placid, that the |
wounds shall be healed without unnecessary
pain, then ! am reCenciled to forego any
upon even grave errors in the |
questions discussed.
Does not the President mean by his |
silence upon party creed and party af1ini-
ties, to suggest that he is President of the |
whole people, and when be says the Office |
was unsought aud he comes uutrammeled,
does be not mean to enforce the sugges.
ton.