Year: 1868

AAO buC way " Anls uhpp1 bLdIEs
we mean that we are on our way
TO this glorious contamination, and
/ tell you, fellow citizens, when these
noble truths we advocate shall have free
course and full triumph in the United
States, it win be as nearly political heaven
as is possible to weak humanity. Toward
this we move with Grant as our leader.
Shall we, with this idea in our minds, say,
''Hurrah for Grant," (Great cries of
'fYes.p) Well, then, three cheers for Grant!


Three tremendous cheers were given, and
the Judge retired.


In presenting Mr.. Durant to the assem-
bled masses Governor Warmoth said there
was no need of formally introducing him,
as his name was household word; and he
had so long identified himself with the Re.
publican party of Louisiana that he was
known to almost every individual compos-
ing it.


speech Of Hon. Thomas j. Durant.


Mr.. PRESIDENT AND FELLOW CITIZENS: l
was glad to hear the remark of Judge Howe
that as rule there was not much in pro-
fessional speechmaker. l scarcely feel on
this occasion able to make speech at all.


think, fellow citizens, that the moral
and political contest in which all
are now engaged is not inferior in
importance to any in which the Amer.
lean people have been involved since
the beginning of this government. True, it
is not destined to swell as the contest for
and against secession did, into the roar of
artillery and the clangor of arms, but it
does involve as deeply and as truly the
fundamental principles upon which Ameri.
can government is founded. 1t involves
the very doctrine of popular government.
1t will decide the question whether in this
country the people and their representa-
tiVes in Congress are to be the supreme
power which is to dictate the law of the
land, or whether there shall be substituted
the will of one man who at the time may
chance to be President-whether, in short
monarchy is to be substituted for repub-
licanism-imperialism for popular rights
For as you all understand, familiar as you
are with the history of the past two
or three years, the claim of the
present executive falls nothing short
of this; that such laws Of Congress as are
consistent with his good will and pleasure
he will obey, and such as do not meet his
approval he will refuse to execute, or what
is still worse, he will endeavor. to- thwart
in their proper execution. And if the
American people, calmly considering such a
claim, knowing its full extent, aware of the
consequences to which it must inevitably
lead us, are willing to acquiesce in HE
dictates and support the principles of his
party, then they are willing to give up the
privilege of popular government and are
willing to submit, as people of less happy
countries DO, to the imperial sway of des-
pot. Mr.. Johnson has declared that those
laws of Congress which he approves he will
execute, and those which he does not ap-
prove he will not put in force. 1t was for
this he was tried before the representatives
of the people. 1t was not so important that
the President should be convicted
of the crimes with which he was
charged, but 1t was important that he
should be tried. 1t was important that in
with its monarchical institutions, was look
ing on, it was important that in the pres
ence of free people the man who had de-
feated the laws and, though he was the
chief magistrate, had placed himself above
the necessity of executing them,
that this, man should be brought
before the Constitutional tribunal
and compelled to plead like any other Grim.
inal This was triumph, whatever the
result this was a triumph of the Repub-
lican principles. 1t displayed to him and
TO his party and the worldthat the American
people bad the power to try their chief
magistrate or any other officer when he
to guide the counsel Of the people, who
"knOw their rights, and knowing dare
maintain" There is no werthier chieftain
than he whose name appears upon that
banner; there is no Worthier lieutenant
than he whose name stands second upon
the list, and / think that the
men who were nominated at Chi
cago were the best men, not only
now in this nation, to lead the destines of
the republic, but as my predecessor said,
they are werthier in every respect than any
other men who have been placed in power
by the American people since the era of
the illustrious founder of our republic.
think that the convention at Chicago pre-
sented the most sublime spectacle to the
world that any convention Of a similar kind
ever presented to the eye of man. 1t was
the first time in the annals of America that
the whole American people was represent
ed. No State, no portion. no race, no
color was unrepresented there.


For the first time in the history of our
country "a nominating convention was as.
sembled to which were admitted represent.
atives of the African race in America. Gap
plause.) 1t was composed of men from
every part of the country, some who mad
unfortunately adhered to the rebellion, but
who had repented, but almost wholly OF
those who had always been true to their
cOuntry-of men who themselves and their
fathers had always been excluded from the
councils of the nation. That convention
chose for its chief the man who led the
Republican armies to vietory-that con.
vention laid down il its platform that
the great truths which Congress asserted
in the reconstruction acts were made
permanent, that under no circum.
stances was the Congress of the United
| States to desert the newly enfranchised
citizens of the South; aad accordingly we
have seen that when on late occasion, in
our own city, an attempt was made to de-
| feat the will of the people here,' Congress;
| told the Commanding General Of the de
partment he could not be permitted to igh'
| it out all summer on that line, and, coming
| to our rescue, the Congress Of the United


States has settled the question of the admis
| sion Of the State of Louisiana; and soon, ,mort


bright and beautiful than before, appearing
like goddess adorned with the jewels 0


freedom, Louisiana will take her seat as al
| equal State in the councils of the nation
| (Applause.) Louisiana, not as shl
| was, founded with her riches ol


the sufferings of half of the people


Louisiana-nOt as she was with the libeI
| ties of one race springing from tn
| enslavement of the other, but Louisiana


great, glorious, and free. She will SEN
her representatives to those council


elected, as they have already been, b


voters without distinction of race or color


and by this compact she will seal the pro:


perity of all her people. Her great source


Of production will be renewed, and he


march of happiness and plenty and peac


will be more proud and more distinguishe


than it ever WAS before. Now, in oppos


tion to a Congress guaranteeing the rights {


the people without distinction in oppositlo


to the lead of such a chieftain as we hay


nominated. who is to be put forward by tn


other party.


If You set the question OF principle


aside, what man in the country can mate


with General Grantg There are no tw


men in the United States who combine /


themselves greater elements of persons
I ,,a,v1ar;txr .fhau VTlvpeaa n Grant an