Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-05-02
ADDRESS OF HON. STANLEY MAT
THEWS

He said: 1t is DO affectatiOn on my
part when I say to YOU that II Is impos-
-ible to express the deep sensibility with
which have received this unexpected
and most distinguished mark Of your
consideration. The honor Of tempOrar-
ily diseharging the duties Of the chair in
the preliminary organization Of body
which, / believe and trust, is 70 be
memorable in the history Of parties and
politics in this country Is altogether un-
deserved, and ! am altogether unpre-
pared bv the suddenness Of the invita-
lion to assume these duties properly, or
70 preface them with remarks which,
under other circumstances, might be
considered in proper conformity 70 the
usual custom. Nevertheless wonder
ful presence inspires thought OF two
which, perhaps, VIII not be trespass-
ing too much upon your attention and
your tine if / venture TO suggest.
Applause OF course, gentlemen,
il would not be becoming in
me, nor prudent to assume at the ont
set the roIe Of the prophet, for l am
neither a prophet DOR the son o. a
prophet. and no man yet can tell what
NAV be the issues of your deliberations,
or the result to which your conclusions
viii tend And yet, without reference
to any certain results within the scope
of present prediction, there are some
things which I know can be safely az
firmed with respect to this Convention.
The thing which l prize most in myself
as treasure tO beguarded and defended,
ssnd 10 witness the spectacle Of II IN the
breasts Of other men, is this: That the
time has come when il is the voice OF an
exceedingly large and influential pOr-
UiOn OF the American people that they
are determined that they viii not longer
BE- dogs te. wear the collar Of a party.
Applause. We have assembled our
selves together, under a call limiting
.,rr character as Republicans as those
Who have heretofore, in the divisions
OF party politics, been designated
A. members of the Republican
party. am not ashamed, gentlemen,
10 have borne that name with thou
sands Of others whose previous party
Affiliations might have led them other
wise united almost unconseiously and
involuntary BY the overpOwering force
of the public. Circumstance and his
tory Of the country with the other who
constituted that party rallying at the
call of the country when the integrity
of the Union was assailed by the spirit
NJ AIMS anu SECESSION lOI Inc BUA pN1N
of maintaining the integrity Of the ma
lion. That was successfully accom-
plished, and OF the past, at least, we
are secure. The great achievement
.Jf vour struggles has been embedded not
-,,niy in the hearts and habits and the
condition of the people, but have now
become perperually a part OF our funda-
mental laws, establishing forever the
inassailabiiity Of the Union and the in
fegrity Of the nation, with the principle
of the political equality Of all citizens
a@fore the law. lAppiause. So far
sDsptlemen as the Republican party un-
der the providence Of God was instru-
Saenffal in accomplishing that
work. they are entitled 70 and
will receive the congratulations
.sf this generation, and the approval
ii generstiOns 70 come Applause.I
And now then since this uprising, If the
RepubIican party has done 20 well IN
ne past. why not trust Il for the future2
And gentlemen, see I'm this assem-
IIags, IN this rebellion against the Re