The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-18
On the platform are to be seen some OF our most
prominent citizens.
Opening Proceedings.

OPcnAnS IEOCceuhnSSs
The business Of the meeting was formally opened
by Mr.. HENRY CLEws, Chairman OF the Committee,
who, coming to the front Of the platform, said:-
In calling this meeting to order have the honor
to nominate as the presiding officer gentleman
who is distinguished representative of the mer-
camille community-a leader in all movements Of
public good and President OF the Chamber Of Com
merce-Mr. VIM. L. Dodge tCheers)
Speech OF w. f. Dodge.
w. f. DODGE was received with appl ause, and
said:-
FELLOW CITIzENs-The rapid flight of time has
brought us again the eve OF the Presidential cleo
ton and to look along the line of the last three years.
There was considerable confusion at this point,
consequent on the crowd in the lobbies demanding
admission to the asles. Mr.. Dodge directed the
police to admit the citizens along the asles This was
done amid loud cheering, when Mr. Dodge continued
his address.) We are here to consult each other,
to encourage each other. and to ask the question,
'.What has been the result OF the administration OF
President Grant ~ 1.-TWO rounds OF cheers for
President Grant. confess myself TO have been
very happily disappointed as | have watched the
course OF the last three years In the administration
of the affairs OF our country by President Grant
him my warmest support In common with our fell
low citizens, there was shade Of doubt as to
whether his military training had lifted him for the
Chief Magistrate of the United States. The
administration had been placed in so
novel and so changed condition that
under the circumstances am more happily disap-
pointed at the result of the last three years, and
believe speak the sentiment OF the great ma
Jorfty or the thinking people OF this country.
(Cheers.) There never has been a President--there
never viii be President Of the United States who
viii administer the affairs of this great nation, sur
rounded by so many obstacles from all quarters,
who will not make mistake. There never has
been President but what may have made and has
made mistakes But the record Of General
Grant VIII . compare layorably with every
chairat least from the days of General Jackson to
the present President. l ask you, fellow citizens
in your review OF these years, to note an amount
qualled in its history We have had difficulties,
but, as general thing, our financial repnta-
higher and higher before the nations Of
the earth. Our people-the great laboring people
the last three years they have had abundance Of
employment. tCheers.) ! have recently re-
turned from long tour our, In our south
true; dflicultes that no man could have antci-
pated. But these changes could not have taken
place without there being faction and difficulty at
the South. The South started with the determine
ton to make slavery perpetual They have
failure of that determination, and their wise
men understood it perfectly, and they knew that
the black man: for the black man is not only free
but I'm emancipated man. They find 1t hard to en-.
dure the fact that their old slaves are their political
masters. They are therefore looking to their old
friends, who stood beside them in our civil war
namely, those democrats who always said that our
ticipating that these men will get into power, and
in some way, and by some way, they scarcely know
plank S is to b Sc laid by S0 the disaec
board s and Everything ay own
way. (Cheers.) Thus they hope through the bolt
Ing republicans to get into power II these boilers
should succeed am here to say that 1t will be the
ruin of the republican party, and II they
succeed It can only have We the e,o result
party. Mr.. Dodge concluded by stating that he had
no doubt Of the ultimate success of President Grant
lie would urge all to work, for there Is great work
before those who were anxious to attain that great
and desirable object.
Mr.. Clcws read the list OF Vice Presidents and
Secretaries, MANY of the names calling forth loud
Cheering.
Hon. E.sDEL AFIELD SMITH, on behalf Of the Com
mittee Of Arrangements, then read the following
address, remarking that 1t was prepared by one Of
the most eminent and substantial OF our business
mem
The administration OF public affairs under the
government of President Grant has been eminenty
tions have been conducted with scrupulous
Rpect for the rights of other nations Jealous re-
gard for the honor of our own; the noble aspiration
with which General Grant emphasized his accept
ance OF his great office, ''et us have peace has
been happily realized; the Union has been COM
pletely re-estabshed on such principles Of justice
and equity as to insure its perpetuty; the eonst.
tuition, with all It's amendments, has been adhered
to with rigid fidelity; domestic tranquility has
been restored; a spirit OF humanity has been
infused into our Indian policy; the revenues Of
the country have been faithfully collected and
honestly disbursed, so that, while the burdens OF
Taxation have been materially lightened, the public
debt has been largely reduced, and the national
credit apprecably strengthened. All branches of
industry have been stimulated to healthy activity,
and throughout the length and breadth of the land
security, prosperity and happiness reward the
perils and sacrifices by which the rebellion was sup
pressed and the Union preserved 1t is an act OF
poetic justice that the
SOLDIER WHOSE VICTORIES IN WAR
and the statesmen whose trumphs Of peace have
made the last decade the most glorious in the an
nails Of American history should receive an earnest
OF the gratitude Of his countrymen by his reelec-
ton to the Presidency. 1T is an suspicious clrcum-
stance that the people are evidently awakening to
higher sense OF the duties and responsibilities OF
hold oId men entrusted with place and power to
a strict accountability for their acts, and to
demand that honesty and capability shall be the
inhexible conditions of appointment to office. The
recommendations Of the President in favor OF the
principles enunciated in the report OF the Civil
Service Commission were timely and opposite, and
deserve universal endorsement Numerous inves
legations have been set on foot during the present
session Of Congress- having for their object the dis
covery Of corruption in the public service
DIsAFFEoTED REPUBLICANS AND PARTISAN DEMO
Gratis
have made common cause in the endeavor to elicit
evidence tending to show acts of wrong doing and
10 implcate the President in knowledge or tolera-
ton Q, such acts As In the days OF Daniel they
enemies Of Daniel, they could lind none occasion
nor fault, forasmuch as he was faithful,
with him" The more incisive the scrutiny the
more palpable the demonstration OF his purity.
The cost OF pursuing these Investigations has ex-
ceeded the aggregate loss incurred by the govern
ment through the dishonesty OF Its subordinates
since the administration came into power. A
record so clear and honorable challenges the admi-
ration and compels the approval OF citizens whose
only aim Is TO secure n stable and benefcent gov
eminent, to preserve invioate the faith Of the ma
ton, TO give security TO capital, adequate reward to
labor and equal rights to all. With the grievances
OF disappointed oflceseekers the masses, who
thrive by they own toll, cannot be expected to find
time or patience TO sympathize. Whether this Sen
ator has had more or that senator less than his
share OF patronage are Insignificant questions
compared with the grave issues involved In Presi-
Dental canvass. IL IS the constitutional preroga-
tive OF the President TO make appointments to
office. That he has not exercised these functions
unwisely the success OF his administration abund-
antly proves. Believing that
GENERAL GRANTS CIVIC CAREER
fifty supplements his military greatness, that he
has brought to the discharge OF his duties to the
State the same energy, foresight and Judgment
which marked his achievements In the field, and
made his campaign from Donelson to Appomatox
forever illustrious, and that he possesses ana de-
serves the confidence OF the American people, we
pledge to him our united and hearty support as
candidate for reelection.