Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-01-04
SPEECH SENATOR JoaNsONOF TENNESSEE

SPEECH Of SENATOR JOHNSON OF TENNESSEE
In looking over the full report of SEN
ator Johnson's late speech on secession,
we have thought this able and patriotic
effort ought to be made better known to
our citizens than it could be made by
the brief telegraphic abstract. Com
ing as it does, from a decided Southern
man, and Breckenridge Democrat, il is
animated by sentiments which will be
shared by sound men Of all parties,
whether Republicans, Democrats or Con-
stilutonal Union men. We regard this
speech as one of the best signs of the
times, Indicating in the right quarter an
intelligent comprehension of the crisis,
and a patriotic determination, which can
not be confused nor overcome, but will
surely WORK cut all that we desire in due
season.
We append the following extracts
from Senator Johnaon's speech
SECESSION IMPLIES TREASON
Then We shall see where General
Washington stood, and where General
Jackson stood. Now, how does the pre-
sent case stand ? The time has come
when men should speak out. Duties are
mine; consequences are Gods. | in
tend to discharge my duty, and l intend
to avow my understanding of the Con-
stitution and the laws of the country
Have we no authority or power to exc
cute the laws in South Carolina as well
as in Vermont and Pennsylvania? l
think we have. And as / before said,
although State may, by an ordinance
or by resolve, OF by act of any other
kind, declare that they absolye their cit
liens from all allegiance to this govern
ment, it does not release them from the
compact. The compact is reciprocal /;
they, in coming into 1t, undertook to
perform certain duties and abide by the
laws made in conformity with the COM
pact. Now, sir, what is the government
to do in South Carolina If South
Carolina undertake to drive the federal
courts out Of the State, yet the federal
government has the right to hold those
courts there. She may attempt to ex-
cude the mails, yet the federal govern
ment has the right to establish post offices
and post roads and to carry the mails
there. She may resist the collection of
revenue at Charleston or any other point
that the government has provided for its
collection; but the government has the
right to collect it and to enforce the law
She may undertake to take possession of
the property belonging to the govern
ment which was originally coded by the
State, but the federal government has
the right to provide the means for re-
tanning possession Of that property. If
she makes an advance to either to dispos-
ses the government of that which it has
purchased, or to resist the execution Of
the revenue laws, or Of our judicial sys-
TEN, or the carrying of the mails, or the
exercise of any other power conferred on
the Federal Government, she puts her
self in the wrong, and it will be the duty
of the government to see that the laws
are faithfully executed.
BY resisting the execution Of the laws,
by attempting to dispossess the Federal
Government, does not South Carolina
put herself in the wrong? Does she not
violate the laws of the United States {?
Does she not violate the Constitution {?
Does she not put herself, within the mean
ing and purview of that Constitution, in
the attitude Of levying war against the
United States The constitution defines
and declares what is treason. Let US
talk about things by their right names.
| know that some hotspur or madcap
may declare these are not times for a gov
eminent of law; that we are in arev-
olution. / know that Patrick Henry
once said, "if this be treason, make the
most of it." If anything can be treason
in the scope and purview of the Consti-
tuition, is not levying war upon the United
States treason? Isnot an attempt to take
its property treason? Is not an attempt
to expel IFS soldiers treason? Is not an
attempt to resist the collection of the rev.
enue, or expel your mails, or drive your
courts from her borders. treason ? Are
not these powers clearly conferred in the
Constitution on the Federal Government.
to be exercised? What is it, then, | ask
in the name Of the Constitution, in the
meaning of the term as there defined Z
1t is treason, aud nothing but treason