The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-09-20
LOCAL MATTERS.

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LOCAL MATTERS.
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CITY NALL nj Z ETHNC.
SUBSTANCE OF THE SPEECH OF HON
JOHN H. GILMER, DELIVERED AT
CITY HALL LAST NIGHT-A MASTER
LY EFFORT.
Fello,c-citisenS Of Richnlond:
This is the first occasion since 1861 on
which | have addressed you on political
occurred since that period! Then we were
a united, happy, prosperous people. The
Union, as it was created by our Revolu-
tionary fathers, stood firm on its basis the
States were answered, the rainbow of
peace spanned the entire reach of our
territorial domain and the onward march
of Americans in the pathway of national
grandeur and federative compactness
seemed to all an assured fact. But the
demon of party rage, sectional antipathies,
personal hatred had aroused the worst
passions of the American people, and had
aIrayed State against State and destroyed
the only true bond of national sympathies,
mutual confidence and assimilated inter-
ests.
1t was to warn you against the acts
which resulted in the civil war, and for the
time discovered the Union, that in 1861
often addressed you. | now, under cir
cumstances not less imposing, come to
warn you against approaching dangers not
less fearful. solicit your considerate at
tention.
How stands the Union now? What
dangers threaten it? What secret influ-
ences assal it? The past speaks to US to-
night in tones of solemn admonition. The
present is full Of danger; the immediate fu-
ture pregnant with issues Of fearful magni-
tude. With these we have to grapplc.
They must be met and mastered, or very
soon they will overcome us and again DEL
uge American soil in blood. No people
worthy to be free, can rule or be
ruled by passion. No government worth
pres CRYING, can be regulated by the
discordant struggle for power, irrespective
Of a wise, prudent, sagacious policy. Acri-
monious contests, heightened by passion
and embittered by revenge, cannot guaran-
tee that deliberate action, from which any
good may be expected. Then let us, here
tonight, reason together. Let US discard
prejudice, and commune as neighbors and
friends. Let us act with discretion, that
we may arrive at practical results. All
good government is matter-oi-fact instr
tuition; to attain it we must be rational
to defend it, we must be deliberate; to de-
serve it, we must be worthy of it. The
world is now but whispering gallery.
Thought travels with lightning speed, as
noiseless, until it bursts in the thunder
tones of revolution.
Much, if not every practical good to the
American States and people depends on
the result Of the pending presidential cleo.
| ton. How necessary is it then that we
should conduct it with deliberation? an
here tonight to advocate the reelection Of
President Grant. And | now proceed tC
adduce to you the facts, reasons anc
motives which have induced me thus tc
advocate his reelection.
First as to the claims which President
Grant has ON Virginia, and this audience.
do not ask you to support him, without first
furnishing you with good substantial
reasons. | present him fully endorsed by
the leading supporters of Mr.. Greeley in
this city. Yea, further, present him to you
fully endorsed by Horace Greeley, his rival
Yea, further, present him fully endorsed
by the people of Richmond, and that will
rapturous applause.
Tread the following dispatch from R. I
/ Daniel, chairman of the Greeley State Elk
ecutiye Committee, dated Richmond, July
Sth, 1869:
Mr.. President-On behalf of the State Exeeu
| tive Committee of the Walker party, congratt
late you upon the triumph Of your policy in Ptrgn
| ia The gratitude of the people for your libeI
atty is greatly enlivened by the overwhelmin
| majority by which that policy prevails
r. T. DANIEL, Chairman
To President Grant
On thu next day the people of Rich
mond held a public ovation to congratulate
| Gilbert G. Walker on his election. Gov
ernor Walker was in fine humor his hear
was full; the people were overrun witt
Joyous emotions. Men and women rea
each others souls in tie ecitd flush oferitbt
rant joy as it beamed IN their glances
Governor Walker said, in his speech:
We must not forget that the opportunity {
winning this victory teas gtOen as through II
li5erd1ity Of President Grant, Cloud and continl
GUS applause and zoe atitSt see that its fruits al
for the benefit Of all
Such was President Grant on the ct
July, 1869. in the estimation OF the Stat
Central Committee, Governor Walker, an
the people of Richmond And now,
your presence, call on the Greeley pres
and speakers, to show how, when, wherei
President Grant has done anything to fol
felt the good opinion of any one of thes
endorsers; and call on you to weig
well not only the reasons given but til
facts furnished.
Nor is this all. Horace Greeley, mo-
the rival of President Grant, and the pre-
fessed idol of the Greeley men. on the l3t
of February, 1869, (the same year, in h
paper, the Tribune, wrote as follows as t
the true character of President Gran
Mark his words, men of Richmond:
General Grant is as thoroughly citizen t
day, as perfectly civilian In his habits, as ar
man In the country. We cali think of no one
6 public station who represents more fully Il
t idea of the American gentleman. Unostent
tious, unassum,ng, brave, without ambitfo