Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-06-20

now dispel the illusion with which despots
have for three. quarters Of century cOnsOled
themselves, that our Union would melt away
before the first storm. Neither States nor
individuals have right 10 defy the laws; II
they DO, they must be chastised.
In The last struggle for the Presidency
there were four candidates in the field. The
friends OF Douglas claimed that he was the
best Union candidate; the supporters of
BTeckinfidge, Of whom the speaker was one,
believed their favorite the best Union candi-
date; the followers of Bell believed the same
OF their favorite; and, SO far as he was able
to learn, the Republicans had always been
for the UnieD. The only question during
the whole canvass was who was pre-emi-
Dently sound2 Was it Bell, Breckenridge,
Lincoln, or Douglas2 But in the present
great struggle all party lines had been oh
llterated-there were now no political par.
ties, but the country was divided between
the friends and enemies of the Union.
I lAll had Joined in one fraternal band in
support of the bright stars and broad stripes,
the emblem of their nationality. This,
which had been borne by so many victorious
armies, and by the most distinguished com
manders the world ever saw, must be Kept
floating unsullied-it must be defended to
the last extremity. For himself he was
proud to be an upholder of that flag. He
then gave history of the manner in which
the Legislature Of his State had voted TO
transfer her people to the Southern Confed-
eracy without consulting them. The slave
frequently has the choosing of master
when he is to be sold, but the free people of
Tennessee had had no such option. True, an
election had been ordered; but it was a CONS
plete farce. Fifty.fve thousand men had
been voted, and placed in charge of the
Southern Confederacy, before the election
took place. Outside of Eastern Tennessee
the Union men dare not vote. Three thou
sand officers had been appointed and salaried
on purpose to overawe the Unionists aud
drive them from the polls.
What the Union men wanted was to be
placed in condition to repel invasion,
whether it came from the South, or from
parts Of their own State. If they have arms.
they will defend their homes, their wives
and children to the last.
He was no fugitive; he was now on busi-
ness connected with the action of O Conyen-
ton, which was to defend themselves, as
soon as the means to do so could be pros
cured.
If the country needed his property, or re-
quired his life, either or both should be given,
and all he desired was that his body might
be shrouded in the Stars and Stripes for a
winding sheet and buried amid his native
mountains. He had no desire to survive his
country, but if that were to fall, he asked to
be entombed with it.
HIS TRIP THROUGH KENTUCKY.
Mr.. johnson, with a party of three friends,
started In conveyance from the nearest
railroad point in Tennessee, for trip over
the mountains to Kentucky. On passing
through Cumberland Gap they were fred
upon ten or twelve times by men upon the
hills. but fortunately the entire party es-
capped unhurt.
Through Kentucky to Lexington the party
were unmolested, and generally we'll re-
ceived. On Monday evening Mr.. johnson
made Union speech at Richmond, Madison
County, to meeting of several hundred
persons, and was enthusiastically cheered.
The Union feeling appeared to be firm and
uncompromising.
Tuesday evening he spoke at Lexington,
and his remarks were loudly applauded
Along the line Of the Kentucky Central
Railroad, yesterday, wherever it was
known that Mr.. johnson was on the train,
large crowds assembled and gave him a
hearty welcome. The Secessionists treated
him with marked respect.
Mr.. johnson had been invited to address
the Indiana troops in the evening, but as
they did not arrive till late hour, he was
obliged to leave before they reached Fifth
street Market-spsce. He started for WASH
ington on the Cincinnati, Hamilton and
Dayton Railroad, at nine o'clock.