Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1861-02-16
spe ech OF Dlr. z0hnsom of TensIessse ON
Secession.

Mr.. JoHNsoN said that in former speech.
be thought be had placed himself on the
Constitution, with the fathers, and against
the doctrine of notification and secession,
which be considered to be national here
sy. As far back as 1888 be had planted
himself on the same principl es, and beiev.
ed the doctrine of secession to be an enemy,
which, II sustained, would lead 10 the de-
struction of the Government and he op.
posed this doctrine to-day for the same rea.
sons He believed that it would be the
destruction also of any Government which
might he formed subsequently. lie looked
upon this doctrine as production of anar.
chy, which was the next step to despotism.
But once, when be made speech on the
10th Of January, he bad been attacked and
denounced; bat be was inspired with con
6dence that he had struck treason blow,
and men who were engaged in being trai
tors felt the blow. His object now was to
meet attacks. On yesterday we had quite
a scene piece well played. gotten up to
order, and the pieces well memorized.
Whether anxious mouruers were prepared
for the occasion he could not say. The
senator from Louisiana Mr.. Benjamin)
had argued that his state had violated no
obligation, as she was not bought for q
price, but had her sovereignty simply hand.
ed over in trust. He (Mr Johnson) then
read from the first article of the treaty of
cession OF Louisiana, claiming that it was
explicit that by the conveyance of absolute
jurisdiction aud control to the u States of
The property and sovereignty, both we're
conveyed to the people Of the U. States.
1t was not as represented by the senator OF
Louisiana, any good will of the French, but
the U. S. bought this sovereignty for so
many million dollars Then the senator
from Louisiana portrayed the enormity OF
the wrongs done TO Louisiana till he (Mr.
Jobnson) almost thought Marc Anthony
come back, aud expected to hear the sena-
tor exclaim, If you have tears to shed.
prepare 10 shed them now What are
these dreadful wrongs The u. S. bought
her, paid for her sixty millions of francs,
and then admitted her to the Union. Was
any oppression and wrong there? Was
there any wrong, when, at the battle Of
New-Orlesns, Kentucky, who, thanks to
God, stands firm to-day, and Tennessee,
who. be hoped. will stand with Kentucky.
went to the help and saved that city from
Packenham 7 How much protection has
she had for sngar Is this another wrong I
Then where are The wrongs which justify
Louisiana to-day IN leaving the government,
in violation OF the rights Of sll the states
Of the union! Without consulting even
KeRtaeky and Tennessee, who defended her.
she has taken the forts, arsenals, and mint
Of the U. s. He said this reminded him
Of the fable OF the frogs and their King
Log, who got dissatisfied with the wrongs
they received. and took King StoFk, who
began 10 devour them, that South Caroline
goa King Stork now, and Louisiana win
have bin When they make heavy up.
preparations for war. Is Il not an outrage
on the government There was large
portion Of the people who think that there
have been aggFessions. and that something
ought to be done there was another party
who are afraid thai something NAV Ia done
being for reconciliation. He referred "a 4
speech from the senator from Louisiana
when he said, since the election OF lincoln
are those who pirate Of disqnion lie, slIly
saEages who shoot at the sun, bat the sun
gilll runs on. What changed the SENATORS
mind 90 sOODl He claimed that The seus