John Sherman

I say now, as I said at the commencement, that the passage of this bill seems to me a matter of public duty.

Deeply impressed with the gravity of the responsibilities which have so unexpectedly devolved upon me, it will be my constant purpose to co-operate with you in such measures as will promote the glory of the country and the prosperity of…

I felt that, as Secretary of the Treasury, I had rendered the country valuable service, that I had dealt with vast sums without receiving the slightest benefit, and at the close was humiliated by charges of petty larceny.

While this investigation imposed a severe labor upon the committee on appropriations, it had a beneficial effect in securing a more careful control over the contingent expenses of the departments, and it silenced the imputations and…

The report fairly and fully relieved me from the false accusations made against me.

If the accusation is true it is the duty of the Senate to examine into the matter.

For this reason, when this imputation is made by a leading and prominent paper, that there is on the files of the treasury department a document which reflects upon me, I think it right that it should be published to the world, and then…

The only wish I have is to see that every officer accused of improper conduct shall have a fair chance to defend himself, and then he must stand or fall according to the rectitude or wrong of his conduct.

I neither have nor will I oppose or delay any investigation of the treasury department while I was its chief officer.

It was a political crime, made with the view of changing, by assassination, the President chosen by you.

The President is the victim of a crime committed without excuse or palliation, in a time of profound peace and prosperity, not aimed at him as an individual, but at him as the President of the United States.

If I felt at liberty to be guided by my own feelings, I would, in view of the present condition of the President of the United States, forego all political discussion at this time.

He said no, he could not be lost for he could go to the top of any hill or mountain and determine his course.

But I want to say to you: Teach your children to honor the flag, to respect the laws, and love and understand our institutions, and our glorious country will be safe with them.

The dear old flag we carried through the storms of many battles, ready to die, if need be, that it might still wave over the government of our fathers.

We fought, not for ourselves alone, but for those who are to come after us.

I cannot distinguish to-night who are and who are not soldiers, but let me say to you, soldiers, I am very glad to meet you again, after so many years, in this time of peace, when yet the recollection of the hardships of war is a bond of…

As I look over you I do not recognize the faces that I used to know, and when riding about your city to-day, I only found some of the names I then knew--your Hedges, your Parkers, and your Purdys; for the rest I had to go to your cemetery…

The death of Garfield, by the hand of a half crazy crank, created a profound impression throughout the civilized world.

Let us, then, do our part; work as Republicans of Ohio know how to work, and victory will perch upon our banners.

We have got to emphasize our approval by indorsing this administration in the election of the Republican ticket this fall.

Let him further advance the public credit; let him punish all who do wrong; let him give us an administration pure, simple and republican, worthy of a nation like ours, and we will send him our approval twice over again.

And now the tax on whisky will pay the interest on the public debt.

But, in the main, the general principles and policy of this administration are in harmony with the aspirations of the Republican party.

We know office-seeking is undoubtedly the proper pursuit of mankind.