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Our thanks and support to the gallant soldiers and sailors of the Union army and navy, who defend the existence, honor, and perpetuity of the republic; and the nation owes to the survivors who have been disabled in its service an honorable and permanent provision, and we will hold in grateful remembrance those who have fallen in its defence.
The convention was one of the largest, most earnest and enthusiastic, ever held in
Massachusetts, composed as it was entirely of delegates representing one of the great parties of the
Commonwealth.
The Democratic State Convention met in Faneuil Hall,
Boston, on the 21st of September, and was organized by the choice of
Dr. A. Page, of
Springfield, as temporary chairman, and
Theodore H. Sweetser, of
Lowell, as permanent president.
On taking the chair,
Mr. Sweetser made an impressive and eloquent speech, which closed as follows:—
And, while we raise here the banner of civil conflict, we will neither now or ever cease to remember our brothers—braver men never lived—who have upheld the honor of our flag, under Sherman at Atlanta, under Sheridan at Winchester, under Grant at Petersburg, on the land; under Farragut, Dupont, and Dahlgren, and other commanders, on the seas.
Nor will we forget our not less brave but more unfortunate brethren than if they had died with the shouts of victory on their lips, whose mournful groans come up to us from loathsome prisons, unheeded by the ear and heart of him who sits too long in the presidential chair.
If we are powerless to save, we will pity them, and we will not forget their beloved ones at home.
At the close of
Mr. Sweetser's speech,
Charles G. Greene, editor of the Boston Post, proposed three cheers for
General Sheridan, and his victory in the Shenandoah valley; and expressed the hope that the
General might drive the enemy from the valley, and keep him out; and restore the valley to the Old Dominion, and restore the Old Dominion to the
Union.
The convention nominated the same gentlemen for State officers who had been the candidates of the party the year before; and selected
Robert C. Winthrop, of
Boston, and
Erasmus D. Beach, of
Springfield, as presidential electors at large.
