Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-09-27
SVhDIEHS AND SAILORS MA.
TI0NAL CONVENTION.

Vass ~
audhurec aud ehoristers, assisted by the bands
shu t audience. At its conclusion three
~ GERS were given with special JUNCTION.
After the cheering had subslded, Major
Samuel Harper came to the front of the
stage and introduced General j. B. sweitzer,
who delivered the welcoming address, as
follows:
.CoMRADEs: In the name and in behalf Of the
cluzens OF Pittsburgh, and Of the State Of Penn
sylvanie, bid you welcome among us. l greet
you as the representatives Of valisnt patriots who,
81 the call Of their country went forth to battle
now over, and In the full enjoyment of the glorl
Gus results, nation saved and united, with all its
people free u is pleasantto come together again
70 keep mp the memory Of past events, to
thank the Providence that he's carried us compare.
i.VSIy i & unharmed through years Of fiery trial and
dence had appointed to die in order that great
nauon might live What recolections throng
o US as we look back to that day, but little more
Una tnan eleven years since, when the blow struck at
our conntrya nag by traitor hand thrilled like an
eaarnquaHe's shock through the length and breadth
OF our land, and the streets OF our cities echoed
UNI er the tread Of million OF men who were In
'.rms TO avenge 1t; when the strife was not, who
should be excused, but, only, who should be allow
ca TO and place in the ranks Sf its defenders.
among the earlier of the more important engage
ments OF the war was the battle OF Antietam, on
whose anniversary we meet today, 1t occurred
gust ten years since, in the darkest hour of the Re-
PUBLIC. The campaign of the Peninsula had termln'
d sted disastrously, and the Army of the Potomac
mad been Withdrawn.
Here the General went into a thorough descrp
tlon of the battle Of Anietam. and reviewed the
Character of the contest in which the country was
then engaged. In conclusion. the General said
that OF those who died, nation saved would be
the monument, 30 long as time endured The
dead, In such strife, are scarcely to be mourned
Tor Theirs Is crown Of imperishable life. II
they are not here to-day, IL is only because the
giorles OF martyrdom were reserved for them,
while we are left to share with others the fruits Of
thelr great struggle, Honor to their memories. To
you who survive, it would be presumptuous in me
70 rehearse the stories of your marches your
ntvouacs your battles, your tolls, your sufferings
ana your sacrifices during the years that you gave
TO the redemption of the nation. To do this would
require recital of the entire history OF the war.
Ihe stories are already written and will be read by
your children In after years q lesson and an eX-
ample. 1t Only remains for me to express the wish
ta at your visit may be pleasant and profitable and
ally TO the maintenance of the objects and prnci-
pies for which you fought and to the yindication
OF the great Captain who led You to victory, and
who, ut the head of the nation, has been true ef
ncent and successful as he was at the head of his
armies arm IN the field and my comrades, may you
long survive to enjoy the consciousness OF duty
Wen Wen performed, and the peace you have so honor
ably earned
Governor Geary followed in a supplement
airy speech to General Sweitzer, in which, on
behalf of the State, he extended cordial
welcome to the National Soldiers and Sail
ors' Convention in Pennsylvania.
AT the conclusion of Governor Geary's ad-
Dress, General A. L. Burnside stepped to
the front of the stage and introduced the
NS'' Di' l. IIestOH, WuO lucl uuuIessSu but
ihorne of Grace, after which General Bnrn-
side addressed the Convention as follows:
COMRADES While in attendance a delegate
70 the National Republican Convention iii Philadel-
proper for the veterans of the late to assemble
IN a mass convention, to express their views upon
the political questions which are now agtatng the
country. Knowing, as did, that soldiers and sail
ors OF the Union army entered the service of their
country from patriotic motives, and when their
WORK was completed returned to their peaceful pur
nr1n Il NNtl lAn nd
quiet, peaceful citizens, and that their opinions
would be respected, at once joined heartily in the
movement. A meeting of those who attend
ing thc Philadelphia Convention, and who had
been identified with the army and navy of the
Lnon, was called and National Committee OF
veterans was appointed for the purpose of arrang
ing Tor this grand mass convention. | had the
great honor of being named as the Chairman OF
that Committee, and now appear before you com
fades, to complete the duties which devolved upon
me by calling your Convention to order and naming
10 you temporary chairman. 1t is quite un'
necessary for me to say to you that in making ar
engagements for this Convention, the main part OF
t1e work necessary to its success and to give com
Tort and happiness, has been done nv the local
committee and the loyal men and women of Pitts
burg and its vicinity. You can all bear testimony
to the great labor which has been performed by
Mr: dudley, the Secretary of the National Com.
Comrades, you have before you great duty to
perlorm-second only to that which devolved
upon you when you left your homes to battle for
Ine preservation and integrity of the nation. 1t is
nut few short years since you returned to your
peaceful pursuits, and you now find yourselves
confronted by formidable coalition composed Ol
bad and weak men, who were either in open hos
tlly to the authority of the Government or i'm &C
tive sympathy with the enemies of their coun ~
during the time Of its grearest trouble. This com
Dlnation has been enhanced in numbers by the de
sertion of a few disappointed, discontented aud
dllapidated men who acted with the Republican
party during the war, and large majority o
whom have been heavy weights upon the Republi
can party ever since had during the war sligh
personal experience which illustrates the cours
winch these men pursued. All my comrades o
western pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana will re
member that was compelled by sense of duty t
arrest Mr.. Nalandigham for reasonable conduc
during the war. You will also remember that
gave him fair warning by issuing General Order No
%. In disregard OF that order he continued Il
counsel resistance to the authority Of the Govern
ment, and l arrested him. Mr.. Lincoln, in th
SlIess KSllndness of his heart, urged me 10 release MIR
Nallndlgham, and gave me the names of distin
Sulshed citizens who had told him that had mad
q very serious mistake in making the arrest, ant
that Mr. Nallandigham would be considered as
martyr, and that the political enemies of the Ad
mlnistration in Ohio would at once make him thei
sIahdard-hearer as a candidate for Governor an
elect him by an overwhelming majority. l repre-
sented TO Mr.. Lincoln that was upon the ground
and knew the situation better than thes
gentlemen, and that Mr.. Vallandigham should nc
De released unless superior authority so ordered
Mr Lincoln said to me that he would not iDtel
I%ere, % put had simply given advice at the instanc
OF prominent citizens. Among these was Nj
Trumbul, of Illinois. What was the result q
this decision of Mr., Lincoln's declining to inter
tere. as he was urged to do by Mr.. Trumbull an
candidate, and was beaten by that gallant old wa
morse Governor Brough, by 100000 majority. TIL
raed q e OF to ono tb az a me aHS
doubt not that their action IN the present can
palgn will quite as strongly Illustrate 1t.
Will not detain you, comrades, by discussin
the political questions of the day. You will hay
them fully discussed by other people who al
skilled in public debate. Besides, am quite sat
ned th9t you are fully posted upon such topi C
men VINO nave served in the field and staked the
lives and reputation upon an issue so important
your country cannot approach a political canya
ike the present without appreciating keenly II
real issues of the contest. II will not be amis
however fer me to cay that join you in the be
that General Grant has been a gallant soldier
that he has done service to his country In tn
held which cannot be oyer-estimated; that he HI
conducted the affairs of the Government since
mas been Its Chief Magistrate with great dtscretiO
and integrity and has shown himself in evci
way disposed to peace at home and abroad, an
entirely free from personal self-seeking and a
grandisement We are here TO express to Il
country continued confidence In Gener
Grant, and our purpose to elect him as Presidel
Tor second term.
l am quite sure that we will not make ourselv,
misunderstood to day by expressing any ill-feeliI
toward our late enemies in the field, because v
ct Is buried, and we are disposed to do all in OF
power to cooperate with the people in all section
Of our land IN forwarding the prosperity of o.
country; but for our rulers comrades, let us sele
men who In the hour Of their cosntty's peril we
true.
Let u.s. of all things, refuse our support TO mt
And now, comrades of Pennsylvania desire
express TO You hope that comes from my hear
General Hartranft, your candidate for Governo
Is my old comrade and tried friend. lie went in
the field with us at the first battle Of the war, al
Joined the North Carolina expedition at Annap
lis. From that time until the end of the war '
were together all the fields of Roanoke, Me-
bern, South Mountain, AntleLam, Vicksbnr
Knoxville, Campbell's Station, Blue Spring, al
the Rapidan campaign. From the Wilderness
AppomattoX Court House, he proved himself
efficient and gallant soldier. Comrades Of Pen
sylvania, it is clearly your duty, without referen
to politics, to see that so gallant and true COZ
rade is not harmed by the malicious slanders
designing politicians. You have but moment
think of the course pursaed during the war by /
opponent, Mr.. BuckGlew, In order to find d
strongest reasons for the firm support of Ha
ranft.
Comrades, my personal duties require me
leave you before the deliberations of your meet
are concluded, As you all know, ! am engrOss
in civil pursuits, Ihave never In my life solicit
an office, and never expect to. | can thereto
speak TO you my unbiased sentiments | beg
You to make every honest effort to reelee Genel
Grant, and 10 elect General Ilartranft TO the Off