New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-08-22
SPEECH OF
Hon. GEORGE S. FISHER
At Augusta, Ca, July 4 1872.
THENATIONALR REPUBLICAN PARTY
THE HOPE OF THE NATION.
Mr.. Chairman and Fsllow Citizens:

pendence. ought to be success, and happily
it is one Yet, confess my own preference
would have been to have delivered to you
and all our people an Grafton instead OF a
party speech, for alas! this glorious day
finds too few to pay it that reverence and
honor all our fathers used to do without
distinction Of party, sectionality, or reserva'
ton of affection.
But, my fellow citizens, it is not an Of
Tense, nor Objectionable in justice, that on
this anniversary a loyal, Union loving party
should assemble and clearly avow to the
voters of this country the principles by which
we profess to be governed-ths principles
of the great Republican party Of this ma.
tion--the policy and platform of our candi-
dates, and the justice Of our ,ausc as politi-
clans asking the operation and suffrages
of all our people.
otk srANDARD.BEARERs.
Nor is it inconsistent with the highest
patriotism and devotion to duty-the honor
of this day--that we bear aloft inscribed on
the flag of our beloved country, in letters f
gold, or living light, the names Of Ulysses
S. Grant for President and of Henry Wilson
for Vice President in the political cam,
paign upon which we now enter. (Grea:
applause.]
The nomination of these distinguished
citizens by the great Convention at Phila.
delphia was an ovation of itself never before
witnessed in any National Convention
Republican, Wing, or Democratic-in our
country and was such spontaneous and
enthusiastic tribute to them as men, and the
place they respectively hold in the affections
of the masses OF the people, as no man had
ever before witnessed in any country or by
any people. Certainly no Liberal Republi.
can, or Democrat, had ever dreamed of such
unanimity, such enthusiasm, such an assem-
blage on earth, and surely there never was
one like it before in this or any other coun
try. Not discordant element, not tech
meal question or dilatory motion, not an
opposition vote, but one noble, solid, in
vincible phalanx of the peoples harmonious
standard bearers shouting forth in thunder.
like tones the peoples free choice-record
ing State after State by ballot unanimously
for the great soldier and statesman whom
the nation delights to honor, and who will
with frmness, justice, moderation, and
safety hold the helm of State for the next
four years. [Cheers.l
And it was most just and grand that such
a convention, fresh from the people of this
great land, should select as standard bearers
in this political campaign We are fairly
upon these great names for the
suffrages Of this nation. They are men who
give no uncertain sound. They are read and
known Of all men. And that they combine
all the true elements of American charac
ter-of selfmade, self reliant, great men
no just man can successfully deny. And it
is no exaggeration nor exhorbitant praise
to say that few men Of any age or country,
in ancient or modern times, have inscribed
their names so high on the scroll of fame as
great chieftains and civilians, as have Grant
aud Wilson by their own acts and deeds.
Loud cheers. Neither Of them were born
to greatness, but greatness has been achieved
by them. And such greatness how few a.
tain?
GRANT AS A GENERAL.
No common mind, no common man.
could SO conspicuously have written his
name on the roll of honor as General Grant
has done. Surely no man without brains.
with only ordinary or common understand
ing and comprehension of men, without
knowledge Of himself in this 10Th century,
in this age of wonderful activity and almost
progress, this age of intelligence
and unexampled competition, without capa
city of intellect, power of combination,
discrimination, and u comprehen
sive knowledge Of men and things, time
and events, could have accomplished what
historical facts show that he has done. |
biundcr into a good thing may b.. lucky at
influence men 10y eloquence,
by fattery, by money even to certain ex
tent-but no man ever yet moved batialions.
brigades, divisions, large armies Of men,
and moved hundreds Of ,hous
ands of men. like n great and unerring
machine through long and terrific war, and
then by spontaneous aud electrical enthu
siasm awoke a nations gratitude to elevate
him to its Chief Magistracy, and again
unanimously renominate him for the same
position without capacity equal to that Of
the highest, noblest, and purest of carti's
great dead or living. [Great applause. ]
In vain we search Grecian, Roman, Gallo,
Anglican, every historic page for his equal
or parallel, (for few men indeed in all the
world history have ever been able to move
or command even n half million of men }
and yet many able, conscientious, truth
loving men either do not comprehend or
prefer not to admit this fact. l am no man,
worshiper, but where shall we find another
who never met with defeat, SO far, in the
field or Cabinet? That's so, and cheers.
GRANT AS STATESMAN.
As a statesman, some Of his opponents
say he has failed, but they fail to show
wherein. And, without personality, or the
slightest disposition or desire to awaken
animosities, or carry thought back to strife,
l may be pardoned for asking these men
was it in his correspondence with Psmber
ton? Was it with Lee at Appomattox7
Was it with Johnston? do not mean Andy.
tLaughter.l l mean the greater, Joseph E.
Johnston? Was it while he was Secretary
of War, when President johnson bore tes-
timony that che Grant had saved the