The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-06-29
A Noble Speech.


Gov r. B. Hayes, the nominee Of the Re
publican party for President, visited his home
at Fremont, o., on the 22d He was met by
his old friends and companions of all party
pursuasions, who united their congratulations
on the honor that had been conferred upon
him. In response he made the following no.
BILE speech, breathing sentiments that will find
response and commentator in every manly
heart. Surely the sharp bitterness of party
feeling can find nc encouragement against a
man who is capable of such lofty and peace
loving utterances. Gov. Hayes heart is in the
right place, and if the people of the South are
wise, and will meet the man who is capable of
speaking such noble sentences, in the spirit of
fairness and Cancellation, they will find in him
a better friend and one more powerful to aid
them than any of the political schemers and
marplots the St. Louis Convention will be
likely to present:
Mr.. MAYOR, Fellow CITIZENS FRIENDS
AND NEIGHBoRs 1 need not attempt to ex-
press the emotion feel at the reception which
Che people of Fremont and of this county have
given me tonight. Under any circumstances
an assemblage of this sort at my home to well
come me would touch me, would elicit the
warmest emotions of gratitude. But what
gives to this distinctive character is the fact
chat those that are prominent in welcoming
me at home know very well in the past have
not voted with me or for me, and they do not
intend in the future to vote with me or for
me.
It is simply that, coming to my home, they
rejoice that Ohio, that Sandusky county, that
the town of Fremont, has received at that con-
vention that honor; and thank you, Demo
cratic fellow citizens, Independents and Re
publicans, for this spontaneous and warm and
enthusiastic reception. trust that in the
course of events the time will never come that
you will have cause to regret what you do to-
night. 1t is very great responsibility that
has been placed upon me to be the representa-
tive of forty millions of people-a responsibility
which know very well am not equal to per-
form. understand very we'll that it was not
because of my ability, or talents, OF position
that was chosen. There were accidents and
contingencies that caused this result but that
which does rejoice my heart is, that here,
where have been in my childhood, there are
those that come and rejoice at the result.
After al. allusion to his early days and sub
sequent life in Fremont, he continued:
If defeated shall return to you oftener than
If 90 to the White House. If l go there l
shall rejoice at the time when 1 shall be per-
mitted to return to you, and be neighbor
with you again. Events follow upon one an
other as wave follows wave upon the ocean,
It is for each man to do what he can to make
Others happy. That is the prayer, and that is
the duty of life. Let US. my friends, in every
position undertake to perform this. For me [
have no reliance except that which Abraham
Lincoln had when he went from his friends at
Springfield, when he said to his friends, IL go
to Washington to assume responsibility great
er than that which has devolved upon any one
since the first President, and beg you, my
friends and neighbors, to pray that may nave
that divine assistance without which cannon
succeed, and with which l cannot fall. In
that spirit ask you TO deal with me.
If it shall be the will of the people that the
nomination shall be ratified all will be well.-
IT, on the other hand, it shall be the will OF the
people that another shall assume these great
responsibilities, let us see to it that we who
oppose him give him a fair trial, and also our
prayers. My friends, thank you for the IN
terest you have taken in this respect, and that
you have laid aside partizan feeling. There
has been too much bitterness on such occasions
in this country. Let us see to it that abuse
and vituperation Of the candidate that may be
named at st. Louis does not proceed from our
lips. Let us on this Centennial occasion, this
second century of our existence, set an exam
pie of what free and intelligent nation can
do. In electing the chief magistrate OF the
nation, the office that is to be the first OF 40,
900, 900 of people, let us show all those who
visit us how the American people can conduct
themselves through a canvass of this Sort. Ii
it shall be in the spirit in which we meet here
tonight, if it shall be that justice and fairness
shall be in all the discussions, it will commend
free institutions to the world in way in
which they have never been commended be-
fore.