Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-06-11


years for the sufferings and burdens of the
poor and oppressed of all races and
classes. His head is covered with
long gray hair and from his face
flows a long silken beard of snowy white.
AS his tOttering form moved across the
platform and his familiar face was recOg-
nized by the thousands, the vast audience
rose to its feet and the solid walls shook
with the thunders of applause. Then all
was silence, for the old herO's form and
| face inspired awe in the heart of every man
and woman in the vast thrOng. Slowly
but distinctly earnestly and eloquently did
he adjure his old associates and friends, the
| pioneers of Republicanism, to stand firm
| still to the good old banner. When, with
deep feeling, he referred to the fact that be-
fore him he saw many faces of that race
for whose freedom and civil rights he had
| battled through cOntumely and bitter op-
| position, now for the first time in our his
| tory represented in a National Republican
Convention, the deep feeling that pervad-
ed delegates and visitors was unstruug and
eyes and tongues gave expression toit in un-
surpassed demonstrations. His alluSiOns to
Grant, whose sword had dseveredtheshackle
of slaves and dispersed armies that threat
ened the nations life, were received
with an enthusiasm that knew no bounds.
ElOquently did he pray for the peace, pros
perity and future of the South, now fairly
launched in its new future; and right nObly
did he appeal to the cOlOred race to show
themselves worthy of their new advan-
tages. Then when he took his seat there
came from the body of the delegates col |
Ored man from Arkansas, William Gray, |
to speak for his race and give thanks to |
one of their first and truest friends This |
speech was remarkably eloquent and ap-
propriate. AS he turned to the venerable |
emancipatiOnist and for his race in words |
of deepest feeling, thanked him for his |
life work, and as the old man with bowed |
head and tears streaming down his |
cheeks gave way to his feelings, |
there was hardly a dry eye in the |
vast audience and not tongue but that |
was lOOsed to give expression to the |
hearts deep impulses. This scene was so |
impressive that it will be remembered |
while life lasts to every one who beheld it. |
[ note this incident as showing that the |
earnest deep convictions and the moral |
force that created the Republican party |
and has made it the party of progress and !
solid worth, are still enlisted i'll its work !
and determined to carry it through its new
mission.
THE THIRD SCENE
and the crowning demonstration of the |
fact that the mass of Americans still love
and have confidence in Grant, was that |
witnessed when he was renOminated. 1t
Yas the widest dem9RRSsttEgaete;22n 9RRSt Egee2n 3 3t6 TIE
roll of States was finished and every dele
gate had recorded his vote for the great
soldier, every man in the audience rose to
his feet and with the bands playing, hats,
handkcrchiefs and flags waving, the
shouts were simply deafening. Cannon
thundCrCd in the streets, the thousands
in the broad avenue Just outside took
up the shouts within, and everywhere
the cry went forth assuring Grant and
victory Before the shouts were ended,
the band and choir of singers broke
forth, and several popular airs were sung
with wonderful effect. The "Glory Hal
lelujah chorus thundered from over four
thousand voices closed the demonstration
No enthusiasm for Grant? Well, il en-
thusiasm and genuine feeling ever was
manifested, it was in that convention.
THE VICE PRESIDENCY.
| will not prOlOng this letter too much
10y discussing here the merits of the can
didates or the platform, or of the scenes
attending the nomination of Henry Will
SON. From the beginning it was evident he
was the peoples choice There was no dis
satisfaction with COlfaX, but the strong de-
mOnstration of the oUOrkjRg men for Will
son demonstrated that his nomination was
!
COlfaXy Wilson and Maynard were all re-
ceivcd with applause. COlfaX had earnest
friends, and so had Wilson. The nOmina
ton of Wilson on the first ballot surprised
some, but not his closest friends. The re-
suit was greeted with demonstrations of
intense satisfaction, and the general ver-
dict is, it was the very strongest that could
have been made. 1t was earnestly pressed
by Pennsylvania, and the wOrkingmen,
who were represented here by large dele
cations, all agree that the ticket will be
enthusiastically supported by all their or
CARNATIONS.
MAYNARD.
Maynard's name, under other circum-
stance, would have received far greater
support. His eminent worth, his great
ability and entire fitness for the place were
all admitted, but the recollection of An
drew Johnson will keep the South and
Tennessee from such an honor for some
years to come.
These features of the Convention | have
presented as some that you would not
likely find in the fuller reports of the
press, and as some that seem to me con-
trolling facts in its history.
In conclusion, [ have only to say that
every man that participated in the delib- :
eratiOns of the National Republican, Con-
vention of 1872, or mingled with its earn 5
est, determined, intelligent and highly
honored delegates, leaves Philadelphia =
thoroughly convinced that the honest
people of this country still adhere to the ]
grand old party of so many glorious deeds
and victories, and that the election of
Grant and Wilson next November is as
certain now as victory was in 1868. Dele
gates go forth from this city determined to
re-elect Grant, stronger in the faith and
determined to give boilers stinging re-
buke. The patriotic fires are everywhere
burning, and Grant and Wilson will GER
tainly be our next President and Vice Z
President. The nominations were ratified J
here tonight by the largest political meet
ing ever held in Philadelphia. A. J.. r.
River News.
On Sunday night, owing to heavy rains, the Y
river began rising and continued to do so until
noon yesterday, when the waters came to a {
stand and IN fauy hOurs haron 10 |