Presidential election, 1872.: Proceedings of the National union Republican convention held at Philadelphia, June 5 and 6, 1872 .../ Reported by Francis H. Smith, Official reporter.

PHILADELPHIA, 1872.
11
This only proves the fact that he has done well. He has performed the duty that
you imposed upon him to your entire satisfaction. [Applause.] And you come
here to repeat, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things, we will make thee ruler over manythings." [Great applause.]
After the remarks of General LOGAN, continued calls were made from
the audience for "Morton," "Banks," and others.
Mr. CHAP.LES S. SPENCER, of New York. li~r. Chairman: The delegation from the
State of New York desire me to move that their venerable head, the oldest pioneer in
the cause of emancipation in this room, [cheers,] GERRITT SMITH, [great cheering,] be
invited to address you.
The motion was received with great enthusiasm, delegates all over the
building rising in their places, waving their hats and handkerchiefs, and
calling for Mr. SMITH.
The venerable gentleman rose in his place and bowed repeatedly, the
assemblage continuing to cheer him. The Chairman came down from
his platform and moved towards the part of the house -where Mr. SMITH
was, waiting to conduct him before the audience. Music being called
for to fill up the gap until Mr. SMITH could get upon the stage, the band
in the circle played " Hail to the Chief."
When the music ceased, Mr. Smith stood before the cheering assemblage.
The CHiIRMAN. Now, gentlemen of the Convention, three rousing cheers!
Three cheers were given with a hearty will; and Mr. SMITH spoke as
follows:
REPARKS OF GERRITT SItITH.
Gc( e'aem of the Con-ention: I will detain you but a few minutes, for I fear I
shall not be heard distinctly from my hoarseness. Gentlemen, the time has nearly
come roudi again when the American people are to choose their Chief,iagi-trate.
Who shall it be? [Cries of "Grant! " Grant!" and loud cheers.] Whom,,shall we
nominate? [ienewed cries for Grant.] You all say Grant; well, I agree with you.
Why do we all say Grant? Because he was the savior of the country. [Applause.]
Because he has blessed his country in time of peace. [Applause.]
From the breaking out of the rebellion the American people defended their country bravely, but not always successfully. They passed through a long alternation of
successes an-d defeats, and quite as many defeats as successes. Sunshine was now
upon their cause and now it was wrapped in gloom. It was in this crisis, in this
period of fear, that General Grant was called to the head of the army.
The people had begun to despair of ultimate success, when General Grant, by the
persistency of his policy, by his resolve to fight it out on the same line if it took aI'
summer, achieved victory.
This course subjected him to much severe criticism on the part of distinguished
gentlemen; but the final battle was fought and won; Lee surrendered, and our
country, then divided, became one again.
I said that he had helped us in time of peace, also. He has done so. He has pre served us on terms of amity with all the nations of the earth. HIe has preserved the
policy of kindness towards the poor, erring, deluded Indians.
And he is doing what he can, and if you give him time he will fully accomplish it,
to crush out Ku-Kluxism and save the negro and the few white men who defend the
negro fromn the bloody, fearful, and terrible vengeance threatened against them.
But it is said that General Grant has had one term of the Presidency, and now he
ought to retire to give place to another. Well, my friends, my doctrine is that his
having proved himself a good President once, proves him fitted for it a second term.
[Applause.]
This was the doctrine of the American people when they re-elected Washington,
the first savior of the country. [Applause.] It was their doctrine when they re.o