Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-11-06
EVENING STAR
Hon. Reverdy Johnson,s Speech.

On Friday evening, the 3lst October, tb,
Young Mems Democratic Union Club of New
/ I ork went in procession to the Astor House
and serensded the Hon Reverdy Johnson, who
was in that city on professional business Ir
answer to their call, Mr. johnson briefly ad
dressed them from the steps of the hotel The
following are, as near as recolected, given q,
| his remarks: -
Gentleman Ofthe Union Ciub: The hopo,
of this call is as unexpected as it lie gratifying
/ l appreciate II even the more, because, from
circumstances beyond my control, 1 have beer
unable to take much part in the pending DO.
| ltical contest. or to contribute towards that
| signal triumph that awaits the constitutional
party of the country on Tuesday next.
| without, at any stage Of the struggle re.
| riously fearing an adverse result, yet had
at times, sad apprehensions The termination
Of mere Presidential contest has ordinarily
no other consequence than the disappointment
| has ever been safe But in this instance, were
we to fail, the country, every part of it, would
| suffer 1t would be found to convulse our very
| government, from its centre to its circumfer-
cree, and all would feel and tremble at the
shock
The events, however, of the month now end
| ing have caused every true friend of the coun-
| try to breathe the fr6er. Indiana and Penn
| sylvsnia have given assurance that there is so
deep seated love of our Uuion in the Amer
| lean heart that no delusion can carry the
! States astray-no insane philanthropy mis-.
lead, nor mad fanaticism destroy us. The
| great and final struggle now at hand, and
| whose success is foreshadowed, will in its ter
mination render us more united than ever 1t
| will also, L believe, forever settle the only
| really disturbing subject that has at any time
greatly ogitated the land, and in a short time
will be followed by restoration Of those ira
| terual feelings which every motive, moral, po-
Iitical and religious, 30 strongly invokes us to
cultivate. 1t will prove, too not only to our
selves but to the world, that there is engrafted
in tho very form Of our government, and in
Our fortunate territorial condition, so many
persuasive inducements to continue one peo
J lie, as renders that unity impregnabIo to all
assaults from all quarters, whether internal or
external The nations Of the Old World,
some of whom are anticipating with a solicit
Gus pleasure oar rapid downfall, will learn
from it that thrones and empires, however
girded around and supported by bayonets,
may be, as they have been and often, over
thrown by outraged subjects but that this re-
public of ours, resting exclusively on the will
aud supported by the hearts of the people, is
as permanent as the majestic rivers and NIGH
ty mountains that belong to US
And, blessed as we are by heaven, with in
ttitutions # unequalled, but regulated free
Gom-with every variety of climate and of
soil, fitted to the production of all that is ne
cessary to supply human wants, or contribute
to human happiness-with a population of un-
surpassed skill, enterprise and patriotism
cur career, whilst defying tho rivalry, will
challenge and command the respect and ad-
miration of the world. A word as to my own
State, and / shall have done. There the con-
flict is between the supporters of Mr.. Buchan-
an and those of Mr. Fillmore. That these
last should possess the strength they have had
in that State would seem to be unaceountabls.
With but two avowed distinctive principles
a q party, and each clearly unconstitutional,
because warning with the very elements Of
cur liberty, and one of them a practical de
pinl of religious freedom TO the Romish sect,
they yet have a strong organization in State
settled by Catholics, whose first landing, and
whilst in the possession Of unlimited power,
was signalized by proclaiming religious free
dom rs the birthright Of all. In the words
Of our national historian, they thus gave such
" liberty its homeland its only home in the
wide world"
Their first chapel was an Indian cabin,
ceded for the purpose by the Indians, and here
was erected the first altar to it on this conti-
nent, and in the language Of an accomplished
historian Of our own, now living with US In the
fulness Of his fame and the maturity Of his
intellect, and heart and soul with US in this
struggle, the first fires kindled in it ascend
ed to heaven amid the blessings Of the saw
age"
The supporters of Mr. Fillmore, less char
liable than the poor benishted sons of the for
est, would erase if they could this great char
ter Of religious freedom, and with utter for
getfulness of the trse christian spirit in which
it was granted With an assumed better
knowledge of the will of God, and in disregard
of that charity which is equally proclaimed
by Iature and revelation, sacriligeouly assert
the right to stand between mans conscience
and his maker, and deny to him, except under
temporal penalty, the privilege of worshiping
his God, as he thinks necessary TO his eternal
salvation.
Whilst in almost all tbs older nations Of tho
world the Turk included, the skackles on con
science are being stricken off, and between
man and his God, human force is not suffered
to interfere these misguided citizens, recon-
cile to themselves their own practical return
to the days of religious bigotry and persecu-
ti0n under tho plea that to the extent they
carry it, il is necessary 10 the safety Of our po-
litical freedom-without charging this to be n
mere hollow pretence, it is perfectly consistent
with truth to say Of it, that if such an appre-
hension really does influence them, 1t Is the
merest figment that ever entered weak ana
deluded brain. There is one consolation to
those who properly regard the sacred freedom
| thus cruelty assailed, and truly love the mem
ory of ancestors that the day is fast approach
| ing, when the mad and unchristian warfare
| will have terminated, and in Maryland, as
elsewhere in our happy land, man can pray to
his God and without question, in that form
| which his conscience dictates to be right
| when in every chapel within its borders, and
| in every household, his invoeatiOns for mercy
and protection will ascend to heaven amidst
the blessings of all-when the delusion Of the
day shall have passed and its victims be glad
l to have their follies buried in the darkness Of
4 perfect Oblivion Again thanking you, bid
] you now adieu.
l. "DERP-M -MOUTHED II have heard many
ynofane readers of " Don Juan" descant witt
rapture on the beauty Of the lines: (canto 1
Y. 1889
rris sweet to hear the watch dog honest bark
| Bay deep-mouthed welcome as We draw hea