Year: 1867

CHICAGO, October s.


Hon. T. B. Washburne Representative in Con
gress from the Third District Of this State who ha
Just returned from his European tour addressed th,
10 Davies County Convention, on Thursday AT
ter touching upon many questions Mr. Washburns
proceeded to speak Of General u. S. Grant.


he had gone out from 10 Davies county six year.
ago or more, and since then had changed his name
TO the history of the world. His fellow-citiEens
therefore had more than an ordinary interest in all
that pertsined to him, and they had in all viciss
tudes Of war, amid obloquy, calumny and de.rac-
ton, given him their confidence and support. He
said it was not strange that when the loyal masses
Of the country sgitated by the gravity Of the
situation, public attention should be turned 10 the
| General Of the armies Of the United States II
was net surprising that many people should be SEN
sitivesand exactng and perhaps disposed to unjust
criticisms, and should be agitated by imaginary
fears. But the fellow-citizsns Of General Grant
who had followed his career from the beginning,
and who knew the man, never had any anxiety 10
regard to bis position nor any fears that he would
not in the future as in the past realize the fullest
expectations Of the loyal people of the country.
But many false ideas had obtained. Many peo-
pie had looked upon General Grant as they would
upon a civilian, and politician, and even cand-
date for civil Office. They would seem to demand
that he should make known his polisical views on
the hustings, and through the newspapers with all
arts of the common dem6gogue. The public had
more right to expect General Grant 10 speak out
/ than they had TO expect Lieutenant General Sher-
man, General Meade, General Sheridan or General
Thomas to make public their political views. The
General was not in the habit of proclaiming him
self 10 the world, but, like wise man, had always
made his record through his acts.


Though not speaking for the public, no man was
more frank in the expression of his views on all
public matters. He was raised in the Wing school
Of politics. His venerable father, so well known
in Gaena, was an active and influential member Of
the old Whig party, and after it went out of exs-
tence Of the Republican party. The General was
always Whig, so far he a politician at all,
and never belonged TO, or had any sympathy with,
the so-called Democratic party. He stated this as
fact.


Had General Grant been a member Of the DEM
ocratic party, he would have been in the same po-
sition he now is, and the same as all the most
loyal and patriotic men who were in that party now
occupy. Though not 3 voter in Illinois in 1860,
yet after Mr.. LincOns administration commenced,
and after the firing upon Sumter, there was no man
who gave more earnest support to that admins
tration.


General Grant was among the first to compre-
hend the results that would grow out of the rebel
lion; and the country will not forget that early
1868, he wrote letter saying that, anxious
he for peace he did not wish to it establish
cd until slavery was wiped out.


In 1864, he was profoundly anxious for the
election of Mr.. Lincoln, and no man more fully
comprehended the great fact that upon his re-elec
tlon hinged the success Of our cause and the sup
preston Of the rebellion He so far departed from
his usual course in such matters to write and per-
nit the publication Of letter, In which he briefly
and emphaticslly summed up the whole question.
The letter was published by hundreds of thousands
by the Republican Congressional COMMITTEES, and
exerted great influence in the country.
He was openly and strongly for both Constitu-
tional Amendments. BE hailed the reconstruction
act Of the 89th Congress the solution o. diff
hcuties and he entered upon the discharge Of his
duties under that act with zeal vigilance and fdel
ity.


synpathizing with Congress in its action, and
Appreciatng the importance of being IN session, be
urged and advised such setion as would secure an
extra session if necessary. When that session
came he expressed the most serious fears Of the ef
feet of long adjournment and with far-reaching
sagacity anticipating the precise state of things
that has occurred he used his influence with Sena-
tors to have them adopt the House provisions of the
amended bill, requiring the assent Of the Senate to
the removal Of district commanders. Fav0ring the
reconstruction acts, effort Of his has been want
ing to secure their enforcement in their letter and
spirit TO the end that the Union might be speedily
and fully restored.


He believes there is ne protection safety to the
colored people and loyal white people in the rebel
States, except through impartial suffrage. The re-
construction acts having recognized the entire
equality of all American citizens in the States late
lv in rebellion, he believes that consistency well
as impartial justice demands that there should be
discrimination against any classes Of persons in any
Of the States.


His sympsthies, his convictions, and his hopes,
are now as they always have been with the great
patriotic and loyal people that carried the country
/ through the war.


BE Is in favor of upholding the honor and credit
of the National Government, and holds that all our
obligations must be discharged in conformity to the
terms on which they were contracted.


He thinks that there should be exercised by Con-
Ill \, .r 4ko
= more rigid and searching economy in e1pendi-
lures of public money, and wherever he has had
control he has struck of every useless expense and
reformed every abuse General Grant occupies at
the present time the position Of Secretary Of War,
ad interim in the Cabinet of Mr.. johnson. His
action in accepting that position had been subject
to great deal of Comment. 1t excited the fears Of
many good and loyal men. 1t invoked the denun-
citation of enemies and brought forth the excuses of
friends. BE accepted that position, not has been
alleged, in obedience to the command of superior
officer, but from a stern sense of duty to his coun-
try. The President had determined 20 remove the
| Secretary Of War at all hazards, and without ex-
euse or Justification. The President thought to re-
lieve himself from the odium Of Mr.. Stantons re-
movai, and draw attention from that action by Of
/ fering the place TO General Grant. What 10
be done2 Should the General step into the shoes
Of Stanton and WELD all the legitimate powers of
| the Department in aid Of reconstruction, and in
support of the District Commanders, in the man
agement of the Indian whr and the supervision OF
the war contracts7 Should he be there TO resist the
raids of the thieves and punderers and claim agents
whom Stanton had held at bay, and who wero
waiting to thrust their hands into the Treasury to
| fch untold millions of public money! Or should
he refuse and permit that most important position
| TO be filed by Copperhsad and johnson man, who
| would hinder reconstruction who would democrat
| ize the army who would sanction the fraudulent
and bogus claims of rebels and bring reproach
/ generally upon the public service2 General Grant
did not hesitate to accept the position and all Its re-
sponsiblities and his action had the concurrence oil
Stanton. Indeed, steps were taken in that
whole business except upon full consultation sno
understanding between those two distinguished
men. Under such circumstances the loyal men OF
the country would have had good cause to eensure
General Grant had be refused the position. The
/ very men who had censured him the most fer Ia
king Is would now have been censuring him more
for not taking it. They would have said that pro-
Tossing TO be in sympathy with loyal men and in
favor of reconstruction he shrunk from the respOn
sibility Of place offered TO him in which he could
have been Of inestimsble service to the country
and by such refusal the War Department went intC
the hands of an enemy. But the General wants no
other vindicatiOn fog his action than will be fur
nished by his record when it shall see the light and
BY his ofical acts. He can afford to wait.


In conclusion, Mr.. Washburne said be was no
speaking Of General Grant as s candidate for h
Presidency for he had no right to speak for him il
that regard. he had spoken as be had because 81
many Of his fellow-etiBsns had asked him in rels
ton 10 the position the General occupied on ,eues
tions Of most overwhelming public importance and
what we're his views sentiments and CONVERSIONS
touching matters in which all good citizens feel 8
! deep sn interest.