Year: 1866

lations of war will soon be removed It's
sacrifices of life, sad as they have been, with
Christian resignation, be referred to provl-
DENTAL purpose, of fixing our beloved coun-
try on firm and endurable basis which will
forever place our liberty and happiness be-
yond the reach Of human peril then, too,
and forever will our government challenge
the admiration and receive the respect OF
the nations of the world, and be in no dan
ger of any efforts to impeach our honor.
And permit me, sir in conclusion to add,
that great as our solicitude for the restora-
ton of our domestic peace and your labors
to that end, you have also watchful eye to
the rights of the nation, and that any at
tempt to be assumed or actual foreign pow
er to enforce an illegal blockade against the
government or citizens of the United States,
to use your own mild but expressive words,
g will be disregarded." In this determine
ton l am sure you will receive the unanimous
approval of your fellow-citizens.


Now, sir, as the Chairman of this Com
mittee, and in behalf of the Convention,
have the honor to present you with an au-
thentic copy of its proceedings.


REPLY OF THE PRESIDENT.


Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of The
Committee Language is inadequate to ex-
press the emotions and feelings produced by
this occasion. Perhaps | could express
more by permitting silence to speak, and
you to infer what might and ought to say
| confess that, notwithstanding the expert
ence have had in public life, and the audi
ences have addressed, this occasion and
this assenblage are well calculated to and do
overwhelm me. As / have said have not
language to convey adequately my present
feelings and emotions. In listening to the
address which your eloquent and distinguish
ed chairman has just delivered, the proceed
ings of the Convention, as they transpired
recurred to my mind. Seemingly / partook
of the inspiration that prevailed in the Con-
vention, when | received despatch, sent
by two of its distinguished members, con-
veying in terms the scene which has just
been described of South Carolina and Mas
sachusetts, arm in arm, marching into that
vast assemblage, and thus giving evidence
that the two extremes had come together
again, and that, for the future, they were
united, as they had been in the past, for the
preservation of the Union.


When the dispatch informed me that, in
that vast body of men, distinguished for IN
tellect and wisdom, every eye was sutfused
with tears on beholding the scene, | could not
finish reading the dispatch to one associated
with me in the Office, for my own feelings
Il
may Justly conclude that we are moving un-
der proper inspiration, and that we need
not be mistaken that the finger of an over
ruling and unerring Providence Is In this
matter. We have just passed through a
mighty, a bloody, a momcntous ordeal, and
do not yet find ourselves free from the diff
culties and dangers that at first surrounded
us.


While our brave men have performed
their duties-both officers and men, turning
to General Grant, who stood at his right
while they have won laurels imperishable,
there are still greater and more important
duties to perform; and while we have had
their cooperation in the field, we now need
their support In our efforts to perpetuate
peace. Applause. So far as the execu-
tive department of the government is con-
cerned, the effort has been made to restore
the Union, to heal the breach, to pour oil
into thewounds which were consequent upon
the struggle, and, to speakin common phrase,
to prepare, as the learned and wise physi-
clan would, plaster healing in character
and coextensive with the wound. Applause. !
We thought, and yet think, that we had
partially succeeded. But as the work pro-
gressed, as reconciliation seemed to be ta-
King its place, and the country becoming
united, we found a disturbing and marring
element opposing US. In alluding to that
clement, / shall 90 no farther than did your
Convention and the distinguished gentleman
who has delivered to me the report of its
proceedings. / shall make no reference to
it. That, DO not believe, the time and the
occasion Justify. We have witnessed In one
department of the government every effort
as it were, to preventive restoration of peace
and harmony int the Union. We have seen
hanging upon the verge of government, as
it were, body called, or which assumes to
be, the Congress of the United States, but
in fact a Congress of only part of the
States We have seen this Congress assume
aud pretend to be for the Union, when Its
every step and act tended to perpetuate dis
union and make disruption of the States
inevitable. Instead of promoting reconcile
alton and harmony, its legislation has parta-
ken of the character of penalties, retaliation
and revenge. This has been the course and
policy of one department. The humble In
dividual who is now addressing you stands
the representative of another department
of the government. The manner in which
he was called upon to occupy that position
shall not allude to on this occasion; suffice
it to say that he is here under the Constitu-
ton Of the country, and being here by yir-
tue of its provisions, he takes hisstand upon
that charter of our liberties, as the great
rampant of civil andreligious liberty. Pro
longed cheering. Having been taught in
my early life to hold it sacred, and having
practised upon it during my whole public
career, / shall ever continue to reverence
the Constitution of my fathers, and to make
it my guide 1 Hearty applause.


/ know it has been said, and I must be
permitted to indulge in the remark, that the
has been despotic and tyrannicaf. Let me
ask this audience of distinguished gentlemen
around me here to-day to point to vote ]
never gave, to a speech never made, to a
single act of my whole public life, that has
not been against tyranny and despotism.
What position have ever occupied, what
ground have / ever assumed. where it can
be truthfnlly charged that | failed to advo-
cate the amelioration and elevation of the