The Van Buren press., 1875-05-18
HON. HENRY WILSON.
Visit Of the Vice. President to Our City
A Speech BY the Distinguishsd visitor
Last hight.
Little Rock Gazette, May l2ih.l

Little Rock Gazette. May l2ih.l
Hon. Henry Wilson, vice. president, arrived
In the city at 3 o'clock yesterday morning. on
the Memphis train. He was met at the depot
bv Mayor Fletcher and Aid. Davis AMI Wolf
and escorted to the Metropolitan hotel. where
rooms had been prepared for him. The vice
president retired soon sfter his arrival. aud
rose and breakfasted about o'clock. Early
In the morning lie took u drive around town.
In company with Judge N. 5. Howe. land
commissioner Of the Little Rock and Fort
Smith railroad, Returning about half past 10
O'Clock. he received company In the hotel par
lors. The state officials called on him in a
merous callers among our prominent citizens
OF all politics and colors. MIR. Wilson received
them in the most courteous manner, talked
ire-lry. and spoke very highly of the hand-
some receptions he received at Louisville
Nashville and Memphis. He seemed well
pleased with our city of roses.
At o'clock in the afternoon Mayor Fletch.
er and the city council made II formal call on
the vice. president. A delegation of promi-
ncnt colored men also called About this
time the vice. president, accompanied by Con-
gressmaa Wi..hire, U. 5. Judge Caldwell and
Judge David Walker, Of the supreme court,
took a drive about the city, first visiting the
arsenal, where salute was fired In honor OF
the distinguished visitor. Other prominent
places were visited, but the rain somewhat
interfered with the drive.
Between 8 and 8 o'clock last night about
one thousand people assembled in front of the
hotel, and commenced calling for the vice.
president. After some little time he appeared
at the foot Of the hotel steps, and Judge vii.
shire. mounting dry goods box. introduced
the distinguished visitor to the audience
Tnv INTRODUCTION.
Ftllop-citizens Of Arkdnsds:
| have the extreme pleasure. tonight. OF In
Producing to you a distinguished visitor, who
has given us the compliment. In his tour
among some Of the southern states. of paying
us a call and In so doing. have the honor to
introduce to you the vice president Of the
United States [cheers] the honorable Henry
Wilson. Loud cheering.]
vicE-PREsIDENT WILSON'S REMARKS.
Fsllow- citisens Of Arkansas:
! am very grateful to you for this NANTES.
tation Of your interest and this ex preston of
your regard. am In your city and your state
Tor the first day. 1t has been my fortune. In
years gone by. to visit most ofthe states ofthe
union; but ! have never had the pleasure OF
visiting your state before. ! am here now not
in the pursuit OF business. not on any errand
touching public affairs. or connected In any
way. directly or indirectly with any political
affairs. lApplause.l am here not in my
official capacity. but to See for myself this
portion OF my country and this portion OF my
countrymcn. Applause
Gentlemen. YOU have great state-Kreat
in territory great in resources. God, in His
providence. has given you II great common.
wealth, to bc developed for human happiness
ami human power THIS state ofyours Is large
enough To contain at least seven states like
my own. But. gentlemen God has comnis-
stoned you, and those who cone after you. to
make this great state one of the grandest and
most powerful coinmonwealths nf the repub-
lie. [Gheers. and cries Of "ilear!' That
work Is yours.
And now. gentlemen. II you ask me to say n
word with you. you will expect me to speak
just What think aud if you don't expect me
speak lAppause. and cries of" Go ahead y
and Speech "Sp~rch!'J
Gentlemen. you know We have passed
through. In the last few years. one OF the most
bloody civil wars IN the history of the world.
Before that war came. there was struggle OF
ideas. growin ing out Of the existence OF human
slavery. In portions Of the republic. These
ideas, OF liberty on the one side aud slavery
ON the other grapplcd; and then came the
civil war. You men of the south as We claim
for the men OF the north. fought ~ bravely as
any men have fought IN the history Of the
world. Expressions of approval, We learn
ed one thing. at least and that was, to respect
each other [Applause
The war is over. Thank God for It! The
system Of human slavery has perlshrd. and
will exist no more forever on this continent.
I [Applause | have not seen II man since |
crossed the Ohio river who has said to me. or
hinted to me, that he would bring 1t back
again. Renewed applause.
Now gentlemen. great duties grew out OF
the results OF the war. am among those who
believe that there was the time when. II GER
tain great truths had been accepted. the war
might have been prevented But that time
passed and we came to the bloudy struggle ;
and when that struggle was over. patriotism.
humanity. christianity. the good God above.
commanded us all-of the north and OF the
south-to accept he result Of that war, and
to do all that we could. to righten the terrible
country a united, indivisible republic, the
pride and glory Of the world! (Repeated
cheers.
And, gentlemen. have faith IN the Ameri
can people, faith In God faith In our great
destiny. and that every year since the war
this nation has made some progress; aud that
1t will continue to make progress; that we
shall be more and more united that we shall
come to respect and love each other more.
and that we shall accept IN our heart OF
hearts. the sublime doctrines. born In heaven.
that all men were created by God, that Christ
died for them all. that every man who comes
into this breathing world has the right to cul-
tlvate his head and heart and to make. OF
himself all that Almighty God intended lap.
plausel and that this right has no reference
to lines Of latitude or longitude. to races, or
to men born In our country or out Of our
country.
You tell me. gentlemen-I am told everv
wherc-that there Is q better feeling. ] thank
God for IT. and | feel 1t to be my duty. q!
home and abroad. BY day and BY night, 1t all
times and on all occasions, by word and by
acts. to do what can to unite our country ;
to bind together our countrymen. and to es-
tablish here in America abs lutte and perfect
nOny men, but ut the same time
equality among the states. and equality Of all
rights and privileges to all the citizens Of the
union. Loud chrering.l
You. gentlemen. can do a great work, here
In your state. think you are Masking prog
any rate. hope you are. ! know
progress Is being made In portions ofour coun-
try In the right direction. But let me state
to you this plain fact. and want YOU to carry
IL home and remember It for I have no OBJ
ject to gain. here. to. night, other than that OF
stating to you plain facts just rs I would say
to YOU. or to any portion Of our country men.
the last words | should utter on earth-lrt me
say to YOU. who have given me cordial well
come. and nothing elsp.-if you are gentle.