What we want, still more than Baltimore conventions or presidential elections, is success under Gen. Grant.

I know no reason to doubt that I shall accept the nomination tendered; and yet perhaps I should not declare definitely before reading and considering what is called the platform.

I have just been saying, and will repeat it, that the hardest of all speeches I have to answer is a serenade.

Now, without detaining you any longer, I propose that you help me to close up what I am now saying with three rousing cheers for Gen. Grant and the officers and soldiers under his command.

I will say now, however, I approve the declaration in favor of so amending the Constitution as to prohibit slavery throughout the nation.

Such amendment of the Constitution as now proposed became a fitting and necessary conclusion to the final success of the Union cause.

I will neither conceal my gratification nor restrain the expression of my gratitude that the Union people, through their convention, in their continued effort to save and advance the nation, have deemed me not unworthy to remain in my…

I propose that you constantly bear in mind that the support you owe to the brave officers and soldiers in the field is of the very first importance.

I have the honor to submit, for the consideration of Congress a letter and inclosure from the Secretary of War, with my concurrence in the recommendation therein made.

To the Senate of the United States: I transmit to the Senate, in answer to their resolution of the 28th instant, a report* from the Secretary of State, with accompanying documents.

In reply to a resolution of the Senate of the 25th instant, relating to Mexican affairs, I transmit a partial report from the Secretary of State of this date, with the papers therein mentioned.

I also recommend that First Assistant Engineer James M. Hobby be advanced thirty numbers in his grade for distinguished conduct in battle and extraordinary heroism.

Hence we behold the process by which thousands are daily passing from under the yoke of bondage hailed by some as the advance of liberty, and bewailed by others as the destruction of all liberty.

We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word, we do not all mean the same thing.

With some, the word "liberty" may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself and the product of his labour; while with others, the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men and the product of other men's…

Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name,--liberty.

The world has never had a good definition of the word "liberty," and the American people, just now, are much in want of one.

The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty.

To the House of Representatives:I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of War, in answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 4th instant, in relation to Major N. H. McLean.

I could not feel that, to the best of my ability, I had even tried to preserve the Constitution, if, to save slavery or any minor matter, I should permit the wreck of government, country, and Constitution, all together.

Right or wrong, I assumed this ground; and now avow it.

I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me.

Was it possible to lose the nation and yet preserve the Constitution?

Nor was it my view that I might take an oath to get power, and break the oath in using the power.

By general law, life and limb must be protected, yet often a limb must be amputated to save a life; but a life is never wisely given to save a limb.