The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-07-31
HENRY CLAY's CHIEF OF STAFF
A RatiIing Speech From General
Leslie COnbs-The Talk Ofa yete'
ran Uni enlist who is very Patriotic
and q Triae PrOfane.

ran Unt enlist who Is very Patriotic
and n Trine Profane.
From the Lexington Ky.,) Press
The ratification meeting on Saturday
night, although an impromptu was still
a grand affair.
Judge Graves called the meeting 10
order, and nominated for Chairman
General Leslie Combs, who took the
stand amid great cheering. As many
of the crowd were still outside, the Gen
eral called out, Gall who are weary and
heavy laden come in, and you shall be
fed on sound doctrine, and we'll give
you something to drink; and all of you
come in, any how"
This scriptural invitation had the de-
sired effect, and the house was soon full.
The General then said:
Gentlemen and Felloo Citizens:
For the past ten years | have not been
in a political meeting, nor have | taken
any active part in any political move
ment. 1t is true that ever since the war
commenced have had my opinion Of
things, and have sometimes expressed it.
1 have not been dead, but am now
dead against Santo Domingo and Sew
ards North Pole. / have always
been q Union man and have differed
from many ofmy neighbors, but have
great respect for the man who takes his
life in his hand and goes forth,to battle
tor his opinions. A man who won't
fight for his principles has no business
living. l respect honest men, right or
wrong, but | don't respect thieves or
plunderers. The Cincinnati Convention
didn't love thieves any better than | did,
and it nominated an honest mana
man whom | have known for the last
thirty years to be honest. mean Hor-
ace Greeley. Enthusiastic cheering.
He has got white hat and white eye
brows and a white mead, bui he has
got the biggest head and the big
gest heart in the United States. He is
q man of will, aud those who think he
will be governed by cliques when he
gets into the White House will find
themselvs nightly mistaken, for he has
as much viii az General jackson or
Henry Clay. He is going to do right,
too. His letter OF acceptance plumps
from law, and is as good a platform as
any body ought TO want, for it shows
that he is willing to leave everything to
the people and to do jus what will ben
eft the whole country. ] never was q
Democrat; am not q Democrat now
but do say that the Democratic party
at Baltimore has immortalized itself
(Cheors) 1t has laid aside all its OLD
encumbrauces- and taken a fresh star
to save the country; to turn oIt the
thieves and robbers who are sucking
our lite.blood,. to kick the scoupdrel:
out OF Office and put honest men in them
1t has made no concessions; sacrificed
no principles, but it says: "Old white
hat, we'll 60 Tor you; we know you are
an honest man. and if you don't belong
10 our party we'll vote for you any how
and by the eternal-as old Jackson
used to say-we'll elect you y l an
proud Of such party. (Great enthus
asm) There was never such thing
done in the world before, and it has
walked up the ends of the earth. Why
! got letter the other day from Texas
and even q London periodical has pub.
lished the first letter l wrote on the
subject. Greeley was a poor boy, q
type. setter, and is the modern DR.. Frank
lin. The difference between him and
Grant is that Greeley is a Statesman; he
knows men, and has read books, too
Grants friends boasts that he is great
without having read books and he never
did read q book unless it wa.
about bull pups or horses. Greeley
is a kind man, for l know him, and he
is a sober man. He is neither a re.
formed nor an unreformed drunkard
for he never was drunk in his lite. He
is an honest man, too. and wouldn't sell
out anybody. When l introduced
Grant to the people here during the wal
al the Phoenix Hotel he stood just like
a wooden man, and did't know how tc
say a word. said the best could fol
him. 1 said: Fellow citizens: This
is General Grant who is not q talking
but fighting man. Aud when l went
out to introduce him | lett my carpet
bag, along with Eve day shirts and q
night shirt in it, ID the parlo5 and wher
came came back some Of his friends
had stolen it. After he was made Sec.
rotary Of War, l told him he ought &c
give me my earpet-bag again, bu
I've never got it yet. I reckon hs
needed it to equip some of hi
friends In the Southern States. / am
an Old Line Wing, but 1 voted fol
Mcclellan and 1 voted for Seymour
against these id scoundrels, and
would vote now for Hendricks, or Trum
bull ,ror any honest man, sgainst q thief
We are all, black or white, called OF
tonight TO- fatiiy the domination o
honest men for Office, and we ough. Il
/ 4 n ~