Year: 1867


gress, as far as can see, daily read
ing Of the Constitution [laughter1, and
the remainder OF the session In careful
meditation Of it? loud laughter. T.
1 wish to do no injustice to his Excel
lency's platform. 1t is sound, bat how
far it will lead US to peace and tranquil
ity without some practical measures
which will solve our problems. I do not
see. But very likely il Attorney Gen
eral Stanbery were called upon for an
opinion it would be entirely clear tits
equally true, think, that the American
people do not desire ultra measures to
delay or impede the just and proper set
tlement of our relations with the rebel
States. It is equally true that they de-
sire to be relieved as soon as possible
of the burden Of an imperfect and i'm
provised financial system forced upon
US by the exigcncies of the war. There
is no doubt we shall have more equal,
uniform and easy modes Of collecting
the public revenue, and q more reasona
BILE rate Of interest for our public debt
l trust you will allow me TO affirm as my
opinion and belief, and to express it as
my hope, that that noble act of Justice
by which the Congress Of the United
States gave to all the South who were
loyal to our flag the right of suffrage
will be deemed and held by the Ameri-
can people as sacred and as irreyersible
as the proclamation Of emancipation
[Applause. You can not make man
free to-day and make him slave to-
morrow, You can not give . freeman
the sign and badge of manhood by put
ting the ballot in his hands and take it
away to morrow and maka him the slave
of some other man who holds that bal
lot. [Cheers.l And never, never can
you, without outraging justice. and with
out planting within your border an in
extinguishable fire of resistance and re-
volt, take away the ballot from the black
man and give it to the rebel. [Grcat
cheering. "Threc cheers for that senti-
ment." But when security is restored
you can grant general amnesty to all
who have fought against our flag, and
from that general amnesty, for one,
would only expect those whose signal
crimes against the Constitution and the
laws of the land have marked them out
as fit examples for human justice. You
do not expect any one on this platform
to rehearse to you the military exploits
of General Grant


There is no soldier who doubts that
when his illustrious chief assumes the
direction Of civil affairs Justice will be
done him. Now when these brave men
ask for employment in Government
service, the illustrious politicians an
swer them, !" / wish could do some.
thing for you, but have got to make
some seven or eight appointments of
politicians down in the Eighth Ward
before can do it." Laughter I
would like to see list of soldiers who
were stone -masons who are now employ
ed on the New City Hall in the park.
Laughter.] Millions of money have
been wasted by going into the pockets
of worthless politicians on that monu-
ment OF folly and vfllainy. [Applause.


also understand, from very good
authority-for good many of them
have told me so-that the Common
Council of this city are, with great
unanimity opposed to the extension of
suffrage to the blacks in the South. /
am told such is the general opinion who
vote for them. understand that they
are of the opinion that if negroes are
admitted to voice in public affairs
there will be more or less dishonesty.
| Laughter. They fully believe that
negroes will steal. Now, il that vice of
stealing is peculiar to negroes exclusive
ly, ask you what must be the color of
our Common Council and of the men who
vote them into Office. [Laughter.] But.
to conclude, in commending, as I do,
General Grant to your confidence and
affection, do SO not because he is
trimmer in politics; not that he is
craven who would conceal his opinions;
not that he is man who would put ON
The gown of humility and solicit your
sweet yoices-no, like another Corioia
aus he would say:


" Better to die, hsttss to serve


Than crave the hire do deserve.


Rather than fool il so


Let the high ofscs and the honor 20