New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-05-02
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCH.l


CINCINNATI. May Mozart Hall, where the
Reunion and Reform Convention" held its session did
not fill up rapidly and when the hour arrived for the
opening Of Convention there comparatively few
persons present At 1920 O'Clock the number had
swollen to 400 or Judge VIM. e. Caldwell President
OF the Cincinnati Reunion and Reform Association.
called the Convention order and nominated Juse j.
B. stalo Of Cincinnati for temporary President Judge
s,ao, on appearing upon the stage received with
considerable applause. he then delivered The following
address,:
While am profoundly sensible Of the honor Won have
conferred upon me by elccting me the temporary
Chairman Of this Convention. approach the attempt to
discharge the thus dev0lved upon with great
difdence. very much fear that reormers who pro-
pose 10 inaugurate TIE practice OF selecting men
for the discharge Of public trusts with a single
regard 70 their merits, You have made i some
what inauspciOns beginning, for | am sadly de-
dcient III all the qualifications. including great physical
vignr and a thorough familiarity with parliamentary
usage and rules, without which 10 Is impossible sails
fact0rly preside over your deliberations, even for
brief But bow 70 your decision, trusting That
there Is promise OF success IN the honesty Oi my
endeavOrs win the purposes for which this Convention
has called, and the circumstances under which We
have met, with which you are all familiar. We
are here as independent citizens OF the American
Republic. We have emerged from a conflict which h-
VOWED The very life OF the nation That conflict Ia now
ended the nation lives the old home OF fathers ID
still the OF the whole American family, OF all its
chlldren-native and adopted. That home has been
beautited and enlarged but IL has not been DIVIDED.
The Union is uubrOken. Wherever in all the land
an American freeman turns ~bs eye heavenward,
he behOds its sacred emblem, the old flag
and there none but freenen to behold it
the old aspiration which always rises from
the the lips whenever the Union is thought Of
" EstO perpetua is no longer trembling prayer, but
the spirited uttcance OF an imperishabe faith Ana
you who have come here from all parts-nO longer
sections-of our common country stand here side ny
side, united n spirit as Won United in interest There
is thrOb 10 al your hearts, and but one pur-
pose TO al ymr endcavors. That purpose * TO
make or country prosperous and great to secure Inc
freedom - happiness ana equal rights or all liz ciu'
zcns 10 rei the abuse, which have sprung rom the
long prevalence OF mere party sway ana from the law
lessncss and turbulence involved In the recent semi,
revolutic nary condition Of our civil affairs anu
10 restore the foundations OF our CONSTITUTIONS
liberty wherever they have ben impaired destroyed
Y0n meet here with the firm resolve 10 preserve recol-
lection ~ 50 much only OF The past as necessary IN Or
profit by ne lessons. and 70 consin to oblivion wnat
ever-tuongh It originated IN honest impulseended in
bitterness and anger You have been arrayed against
each other upon questions which the voice OF history
has answered. You have the same purpose
which has brought you To this room. Like
us, they are intent upon restoring the government
70 us CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS. on go haeo
been ehga5ed IN Ihe tlll OF ISSUES when hEe 49, ~
settled rrevOcnby ana forever In tine clear lght OF
clded are Issues OF to-day ana not OF Yesterday t az
the problems that present Themselves 20 the American
people for present solution problems Of peace ana
that the quespons OF the future Ind epresson h,l u
tie WatclT0rds OF camps that have long since Deeh
generated INTO clans but IN the artlenate demhds re-
sultlng rom the practical necessities OF the n I
convictions, you would not permit me TO address you
by any old party names You longer kepuDiioans
or Democrats [Great cheeringl You no longer I'll,
ylaea DS DIVERSITY OF interest or OF iee1E, ns
you are no longer separated by mutual disdrus ~,
Ine NlSoIb ups the Oll parry narhs N"i
aud you stand face u face, and yGur faces
exhibit the common lineaments Of P,friousl,,n'
Tie old DenOcrat. he looks into the eyes II hs He
publican brother, finds there gisnable love OF
liberty and an mperishnDe affection for the Union anu
these he recognizes good Old Democratic virtues
though things may have been DONE and may be done
now, IN their name which the true lover OF liberty anu
the Union reprobates. The Republican, as ne
feels the glance OF the Democrat, finds tnere
stern resistance 20 arbitrary rule the inie1 ron'
parpose stOntly 10 uphold, not only the Son-
stitutiOn. but also It's proper limits, aud these
are good republican virtues as WELL though IKE a VIZ
mean now 10 guard against ali excess ny
temper1ng the Steiner virtues OF the ola Dcih-
ocrat with the milder virtues Of the Older ne
publican. There may DE much 10 regret and something
To for bat there Is nothing in the sou Oh any
man who has to Cincinnati 10 attend TINS Con.
vent0n "a be distrus,ed. You are all aware that
In another and larger hall than this there Ii now or soon
win lie a gathering OF other men, VINO have come mere,
substantially for the same purpose which has brought
yGu 10 this Like us they intent upon restof-
ing the Government " s constitutional toundatouS