The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-03-23
LOCAL DEPARTMENT.

cIdcd to form IN association Of "oriRinal, ;
Simon pure" supporters Of Gen. Grant a,
a presidential candidate, assembled at Union
League Hall on Saturday evening.
Mr.. A. Watson, Of the Seventh ward, was
called to the chair, with Mr.. Barton as secre.
tary.
On assuming his duties as presiding
officer, Mr.. Watson read the following adj
dress prepared for the occasion
"During the fall OF 1857 the Republican
associations throughout the States, obeying
the spontaneous voice OF the Republican
party, commenced very generally TO nomi-
nate Gen. Grant for the Presidency yet the
Republican clubs Of this city remained SILENT
which, to me, seemed strange, considering
that Gen. Grant resided here at that time,
and also during the war for more than a
year defended the capital from capture, and In
a nelghboring State finally crushed out the
rebellion. Believing that he was the best
and most deserving man for the place, and
that he was certain to be elected President,
and knowing, as and all other Republicans
ofthis city did, that the party had been hor-
-ibly treated by the two preceding admins
trn, ions, nearly the entire patronage OF the
Cover, -ment during and since the war hav-
inc heen eiven to rebels and copperheads--
tnouInS, al If these facts and also that no
nar,y ce,Ia srs. ain itself for any length of
lime without The 'atronage which had been
won by lts political VI, tory, or that no army
could be kept In the felt without commits
sary and the payment of Its soldlers-believ-
ing these to be incoutestable t, iihs, and de-
string that our party In this city especially
should stand well with the coming dminis-
tration-I accordingly offered q resolution
In the Central Republican Association N
October, 1857, nominating Con. Grant for
the Presidency. To my surprise this resolu-
ton was met by most decided opposition,
with motions to lay on the table, motions to
80 ,.-ltH
finally, with q motion to adjourn; which
was carried amid much confusion and con-
siderable recrimination. l then learned, for
the first time, that q large mai ority of those
claiming TO be leaders Of the Republican
party in this city were opposed to Gen.
Grant.
"Aftor this the Central Association not
having been called together for several
weeks, l, In company with another, called
on the president, and requested him to
call a meeting for some local object. He
refused on the ground that the resolution
nominating Gen. Grant for the Presidency
being the unfinished business, Ii would come
up first, and that the association proposed to
have nothing TO do with national politics.
The truth Of which may be learned from the
following sequel:
SIN January, 1868, the association was
called together by its president, and after
the passage of resolutions relating to some
local anairs DR.. PeryiS called up the resolu-
ton nominating Grant for the Presidency. |
The resolution was read by me, when Reg
lat, " Boswell Immediately offered as a substi- |
tntc n resolution nominating s. 2. Chase for |
The pros, iency, which was received with
cheers. IN en- perceived that the meeting
was packed wit. Chase men.
= = A spirited ,.'ebate Immediately COM
mcnccd, in which Gen. Grant was denounced
by the packers, and JUDI Z Snnsc hlghly ex-
"A lEal.. A r..
on motion, the meeting was Peelarea ad-
journod, though the votes agalns. adjourn
ing was at least two to ono, showiL,S that
the meeting was thoroughly packed by the
Chase men. They at once commenced re-
examinations against Major Morse, who had /
occupied the chair, dcnOnnclng and threat
enlng him, and +. A. Boswell went so far as
to declare, in the hearing of more than a
dozen, that no Grant man should be elected
to any office under the corporation at the |
June election This threat | think was
generally verified, as but few original Grant
men hold Office at the City Hall.
"It Is also known that early In 1865
Chase association existed In this city with
Secretary MCCulloch at its head. into which |
they endeayored to draw some of our most
influential Republicans. Also, that they /
attempted to buy up the Chronicle aud Re |
PCBLICAS newspapers, and the same parties |
offered $l50,OoO to secure the nomination of |
In the South, thence TO be extended to the
North. To aid this movement Mr.. Chase
visited the South and made speeches to
arouse enthusiasm In his favor.
"Of course some of the Chase men felt
cheap when the name of their very Radical
Candidate was not only offered to the friends
OF the country at Chicago, but was also pre-
scented 20 Its enemies at New York. Yet IL
Chase had been nominated at the rebel and
copperhead convention, many OF these Chase
Republicans openly declared that they would
have gone over with their leader.
This conspiracy 10 fOrcstall public opin-
lon by packing associations and by attempts
TO buy up newspapers to secure the nomlna-
lion Of Chase In this city, in Virginia, and |
throughout the South, has caused recrimi- |
nation and much dissatisfaction among Re- |
publcans, especially In Virginia, and Is one
great cause Of the present split In That State.
Tho Chase men are In power, and unless
checked by the Administration they will
crush out those who were originally In favor
OF Grants nomination"
A committee OF three gentlemen, with DR..
William Boyd as chairman, was appointed to
prepare resolutions for the consideration of
the meeting. They reported the following. |
which were discussed Of some length by sew !
eral of those present. The resolutions are as |
follows:
Whereas, No political party, organized upon |
well defined and radical principles, can sus- |
nyiessts of Re unie.s ,S S psFan nsp msSh
tsls into Its hands by its political victory
shs a Se gwen 70 rs es,Sss1 ana active friends
three.fourths of the Government patronage In
this city and elsewhere throughout the Union
rebels, copperheAds and Democrats, therefore
ResoiUed, That the entire Government patron
age "a this city and throughout the Union
reliable Republicans; and any man who 10 ele-
waited to position Of trust and power, who
political honesty, shall be deemed an enemy OF
the Republican party aud It's principles.
fair and Soasst Se sss1t h xns aSoys
of the action Of the Senate In Its proposed
change in the Superi ntendent Of the Printing
Bureau, and also Sergeant-stArnns Of the Sen.
ate, that these two nests Of rebels and copper
heads shall be cleaned out.
ResoiUed, That 10 view OF enormous frauds In
the 1nternal Revenue Department, consequent
upon the appointment Of relatives to once,
therefore we request OF Congress the passage
Of Internal Revenue, or other receiving and
disbursing officers, where colluAions and
frauds so often occur, from appointing their
relatives as Assistant Assessors or Collectors,
or to other positions In their respective dis
triots or bureaus.
Resolved, That as Gen. MlehIer has always
run his once Of Commissioner OF Public
Buildings 10 the Interest OF rebels and copper.
heads, therefore we recommend his immediate
removal, and the appointment of a well known,
reliable and competent Republican to his
place.
RssOlrcf, That we TecOmmsn md to the ward
clubs that each select one candidate, from
which the President may appoint new board
o. pohce commissioners that In this manner
ahe police OF this city may be reorEaniEed upon
hePublienn basis, and with satisfaction to
the Republican party.
Re!0lgca, That AS fast as the cont issions Of
maBiatrates shall expire, we Tecomme nd that
the places OF rebels, CoppeThsAds and Demo.
Gratis who now compose a majority OF the
magistrates OF this city, shall he allied by ear
nest, reliable, temperate and qualified Repub-
licAns, OF which the city has al abundance.
Mr.. o. M. Barton offered a. an additional
clause the following resolution.
RSIoiped, That the Senate olthe United States
Is earnestly entreated to repeal the clvll.ten.
ufe bill now before them as early a, possible,
In order to show confidence 10 President Grant.
Adopted.
The following resolution was offered US au
additional clause by Col. Arnold, of North
Carolina. Amer being discussed, 1t was
adopted!
ReIoivsd That 1t is the opinion OF this meet.
Ing, when all things else are equal, that
the hTst persons whom the government should
provide for 10 Its patronage. are those who,
hN AL ~ E.NN A.. a -.