Year: 1866

well hang up their fddles and assist in re-
storing the integrity of the Union, for against


Grant and the administration all their little


Presidential schemes will come to nothing.


The Great Veto Meeting speech OF


Secretary Seward.


The celebration of the anniversary of Wash
ingtons birthday in this city was very appro-
priately concluded by mass meeting at the
Cooper Institute, to endorse the recent veto
message of President Johnson. There was an
immense crowd; there was tremendous enthu-
siasm, and the meeting was In every respect
success. The cheers for President Johnson and
for his veto were only equalled by the groans
with which the names of Wade, Sumner and
Stevens were received. The assemblage was
evidently composed of our most respectable
classes, and in all its details it seemed of
higher order than mass meetings in general.
No one could look at it without being reminded
of the greatness Of metropolis which could
gather such an audience upon an evening
when other crowds in all the parks were
witnessing the fireworks, and thousands
more were attending the reception given
to General Grant, the hero Of the war
and the next President of the republic. At
intervals, when the intense spirit of the oc-
casion vented itself in shouts and wavings of
hats and handkerchie&, the scene at the Cooper
Institute was most impressive; and not less
impressive was the profound but appreciative
silence when the orators were demonstrating by
irrefutable arguments the constitutiOnality of
the Presidents policy and the justice and wis
dom of his views.


Secretary Seward, Postmaster General Den.
nison, Francis B. Cutting, George Opdyke and
Henry J. Raymond were the Speakers at this
meeting, and although we believe that they all
belong to one political party they certainly
represent a sufficient diversity of interests.
Arrangements were made, however, for future
meetings, when othes eloquent gentlemen will
be heard, and a committee was appointed to
wait upon President johnson at Washington
and consult with him as to the best means to
sustain his policy before the country in opposi-
ton to the fanatical radicals who rule Congress.
In singular contrast with these practical meas
ures, which clearly recognize and endeavor to
guard against troublesome national crisis,
was the declaration of Secretary Seward that
all was serene, that no crisis need be appre-
hended, and that no trouble could occur. The
Secretary was in one of his happiest moods,
and spoke with much more than his usual ami
nation. It is his custom, when he wants to
make u speech, to travel quietly to Auburn,
write out his remarks, assemble few
neighbors in his parlor, read over to them what
he has written, and then send the document to
the newspapers for publication. The change
from this private style df public speaking to
the hustle, the excitement and the enthusiasm
ofa popular assemblage appeared to inspire
the Secretary OF State with uncommon
vigor, and he acquitted himself admira-
bly,, 80 far as the manner of bis ad-
dress was concerned. That personal interest,
which up to the time Of the assassination he
seemed to lack, has been supplied to him
through his connection with the most startling
event in our history. The result was that his
reception by the audience was uncommonly
by fricnds ready to applaud him to the echo.


on all our, public men Secretary Seward is
moss fond Of looking at the bright side Of every
question. In the darkest night he axes his
eyes upon some star or spot Of light and de-
clares that everything is as brilliant as sun
shine. He does not now think that anything
or anybody is in peril. Unlike the President,
he sees no danger in Northern treason. Unlike
the radicals, he is unable to find cause for
alarm in the course of the President To him
all this trouble is about trifling disagreement
rs 10 whether the ship of State shall come into
port by the nearest channel or put about and
take little more time to reach the same
shelter. The vessel is sure TO 20 in safely one
way or the other, and If lot Of politicians
happen TO be washed overheard during the
operation Secretary Seward does not care
about that, nor worry himself as to which of
them will be drowned. With amusing uncon-
cern he bcgs none Of his friends TO shout for
help or throw him life-prcserver should he
be one Of the unfortunates Just as good fish
are in the sea as ever were caught, says the old
proverb; and in The same vein Mr.. Seward be-
lieves that just as good Presidents, Secretaries
Oh State nnu pouucians VIII f0flOw johnson and
himself and the radicals. The whole affair
reminds him of nothing more serious than an
old comedy called The Man of Nerve and the
Nervous Man." and as he sits quietly among
the listless spectators, he observes that Presi-
dent Johnson is acting the man of nerve very
WELL and that Thad stevens, as the nervous
man, trembling and troubled with earthquakes,
Is really IN excellent comedian. This is the
tone of bis whole speech, and 1t ends with the
very pretty point that 80 long as our President
refuses to accept srch imperial powers as those
conferred b. The Frecdmen's Bureau bill, even
when Congress desires him 70 WELD them. the
country must be quite safe and sound. Well, il
may he happy thing TO be able TO esteem
grave issues 50 lightly but we are afraid that
.rl L.. -. 4. l.