Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-10-02
corresrondence Chronicle. !


that has been a complete success in every
respect. In numbers, in representation, in
character, in spirit and in its results it has
been entirely creiitable to the soldiers and
sailors of the grand armies that saved the
Nation from ACKNOWLEDGMENT, and ruin. ]
shall not attempt to give detailed ac-
cuunt of its proceedings for the CHRoNI-
Gle has had that long ago by telegraph. l
wish simply to note few of its leading
features. In the first place 1 wish to note
THE SPIRIT OF THE VETERANS
as indicated in the speeches and resolutions
of the Convention. There was marked
absence of that vindictive and pas
sionate spirit which it was charged
by the opposition press 1T was
the object of the Convention to engender.
1t was not partisan Convention congre-
gated for narrow sectional ends. Ev ry
soldier present was heartily and enthusiast
tically for Grant, but there were no harsh
vindictive sentiments expressed or enter
tanned towards the opposition. Every al
fusion TO their defeated foe was in the spir-
it OF magnanimous conciliating victors.
The soldier element of the country was
there, as Gen. Garfield we'll said, because
it had right to be there and because its
right to participate in political gatherings
HdO Deeu cVQteItyCu. Inc SOluleTS were
present more numerously and more enthu-
iastic than they would have been had not
he Greeley partisans made the war per-
tSondL one on the greatest soldier and leader
Of the war. The violent, unjust and I'M
called for abuse of Grant has Thoroughly
aroused The soldiers and their influence
will be felt
The Pittsburg convention demonstrated
that Grant has the confidence of his fight
ing soldiers and that abuse has only in
creased their attachment and zeal, The
convention endorsed his administration.
Not a sentiment unworthy of brave men or
inappropriate to the occasion was uttered,
and every delegate left for his home more
active for the good cause and determined
to work for Grant and Wilson.
A WORD FOR PITTsBURG.
The iron city of America stands before
the country as beyond all rivals the most
liberal and faithful to the soldiers cause.
No other city can present the record Pitts
burg has made. Geographically it occupi-
ed position that all during the war rend-
cred heavy taxes upon its generosity nee
essary. 1t boasts that not a hungry sol
dier or sailor passed through its limits
during the war without finding food, rest
and a cordial welcome. The brave
defenders of the Union one and all love
and bless the noble, liberal people
of Pittsburgh In the City Hall a record
as a monument that will speak their praise
long after their lips are sealed. The story
is briefly and modestly told. -Four hun
dred and eigIty-seUen thousand soldiers
acre fed IN that hail during the war by the
aides of the smoky city. This work was
done by the wealthiest, most refined and
most respected ladies of the city. These
same noble women were again at work
during the sitting of the late Convention.
Over fifty thousand strangers found food
and welcome from their hands. l saw
ladies hard at work feeding these veterans
who could summon in their own homes a
retinue of servants to do their bidding.
Ladies worked long hours at the refresh
ment tables feeding with their own hands
the city's guests, who could draw
checks in their own name for a
hundred thousand dollars and whose
husbands could add to the sum million
or two of bonds Nor property. These are
the women whose prayers, and works
saved the arms of the boys in blue during
the war and preserved for great and noble
future work, the best and most prosperous
government on earth. God bless the noble
women of Pittsburg, say the soldiers OF
America.
A CITY OF FLAGS.
But the men Of Pittsburg are not les:
worthy of praise. / never saw or again
expect to see a city speak out from its very
streets and buildings such welcome u
strangers as Pittsburg gave the soldier;
and sailors yesterday and the day before
Magnificent arches deliberately trimmed
with evergreen and inscriptions spanneC
the principal streets. Trees were trans
planted along the sidewalks and covered
with gay decorations. Flags were sus
pended across the streets, two or three to G
block. Every building public and private
or the principal streets was gaily covered
with flags, appropriate notices anC
Streamprs II il pstimated that i've tlOu
sand dollars was expended in this way
alone. 1t was beyond all question thu
most deliberately and tastefully decorated
city ever seen in this country.
At night every building was illuminat
ed and the streets crowded with people
bands Of music and thousands Of children
with waving flags presented a fairy scene
IT was so novel and brilliant that it die
not seem natural. / do not know tina
money or tease could have made ii NOR
attractive or brilliant. 1t battles all de
scription and ! will not attempt TO do NOR
than give a basis of facts with which tn
readers Imagination can paint the picture
THE PROFESSIONS AND CROWDS.
The Mass Convention of the 18th was al
imposing gathering Of the people Of ALE
ghany county, so loyal, wealthy and pros
porous that Lincoln called il the Stdtf 0
Allegheny. The day will ever be metnor
able in the history Of the iron city, Al
business and work was suspended duTin
the procession. The vast shops of his hiv
of industry were all representa- in tn
demonstrations Nail shopC kundarip