Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-02-13
TELLING THEM THEIR OWN.


Mr.. JOHNSON, Democrat, of Tennessee, said
that as far back as 1888 he had always advo-
Gated that notification and secession was
national hereSy, which must end in anarchy
and despotism, and the destruction of the ex-
listing Government. He believed it would be
the destruction of any Government that might
be formed subsequently. On the 18th of Janu-
ary lie had made speech, for which he was
denounced in and out of the Senate but he
was inspired with q confidence that he had
struck treason a blow, and that men acting
the part of traitors felt the blow. His object
now was TO meet attacks. On yesterday we
had quite scene: piece we'll played, got
ten up to order, and we'll memorZed. The
Senator from Louisiana, Mr.. Benjamin,) had
argued that his State had violated no obiga-
tion, as she was not bought for price, bnt
had her sovereignty simply handed over in
trust. Mr.. johnson read from the first arti-
Gle of the treaty of cession of Louisiana,
claiming that it was explicit that by the con-
veyance of the absolute jurisdiction and con-
troll to the United States OF her property
and sovereignty, both we've conveyed to the
United States. 1t was not, as represented by
the Senator OF Louisiana, any good will of the
French, but the United States bought this
sovereignty for so many millions of dollars.
Then the Senator from Louisiana portrayed
the enormity of the wrongs done to his State.
What are these dreadful wrongs? The United
of dollars, and then admitted her into the u
non. Was any oppression and wrong there
Was there any wrong when, at the battle OF
New Orleans, the brave sons OF Kentucky and
Tennessee went to the help and saved that
city from Packenham Was it because we
protected her sugar cultivation by paying
millions of dollars every year in the shape OF
duty ? Then where are the wrongs of Louisi
ana Without even consulting Kentucky
and Tennessee, who defended her, she had
taken FORTS arsenals and the mint OF the United
States. He denounced this an outrage and
a folly, and referred 10 speech of tie Sena-
tor from Louisiana, where he said, since the
election of Lincoln, those who prate of dis
union are like silly savages who shoot at
the sun, but the sun still goes on. Mr.. John
son then quoted from a speech of Senator
Hunter, of Virginia, in which that gentleman
held that secession was not right given by
the Constitution. AS to the right to compel
the obedience of a State, he would as soon
take the opinions Of the Old Dominion's ear
lier statesmen, as those of the present time.
He claimed that there was great difference
between the enforcement of the laws, and what
was called coercion of States. He quoted
from the Richmond Enquirer OF 1914 (which, re-
ferring to the Hartford Convention, said that
no State had right TO withdraw from the u
Mon, that resistance against the laws was trca-
son, and calling on the Government to arrest
the traitors, for the Union must be preserved
at all hazards. He then defined treason, and
said that treason ought TO be punished, North
and South, and If these are traitors, they
should have traitors rewards. He said South
Carolina had always prejudice against Gov
erpment by the people, and that secession was
no new thing in that State, and referred to her
early history, when her citizens were ready TO
go back under the dominion of King George.
lie read an address of 20G citizens OF Charles
ton. in 1880, setting forth that they never IN
tended to dissolve their connection with Great
Britain, that their natures reyolted at the doc
trine of independency regretting that an effort
had been made to subvert a Constitution for
which they had the most profound reverence
and substituting in its Stead rank democra-
cy, processing affection and zeal for the Eng
lish Government. King, &c. He then referred
TO the attempt of South Carolina in 1888 to
break up the Union, and the men who speak
in her Conventions now say they have been
working to this end for the past forty years.
The question then arises, are the other States
going to allow themselves to be prccpitated
into ruin by South Carolina All she wants
with Kentucky Tennessee and the other States
is, to furnish men and money. SO much for
South Carolina and Louisiana, which were set
ting examples not worthy of imitation. Mr.
Johnson said his former speech had made some
stir. Among other distinguished Senators,
MIR. Lane of Oregon felt it his duty to make a
reply. This | did not think was called for.
| | had not intended to say anything offensive
| to that Senator. / felt had just come out of
| a campaign in which l had labored hard and
| expended my money in vindcation of the
| charse of secession. Yes, through dust and
heat, through mud and rain, traversed my
| State, meeting the charge that secession was
at the bottom of his platform and principles.
| and that it was fixed and decided plan to
| break up this Government. 1t was charged
| that it was started at Charleston and consum-
| -, tt,,rr n Sr..a
as we'll as Mr.. Breckenridge, was the embodi-
| ment of disunon and secession. | met the
| charge; / denied it and repudiated it, and
! tried to convince the people that the charge
was not true. Now find the same Senator
assailing me because l again utter Union SEN
| meBts. | do not see what there was in my
| speech to extort answer from him. l may
not have defended him to his entire satisfac-
ton. 1t so turned out that we were unfortu-
nate, but was willing to stand or fall as We
| should. Had he avowed such a doctrine prior
| to the Presidential election as he did in his
reply to me, expressing disunion and seces-
| sion sentiments, | give it as my opinion, he
would not have received 10000 votes in the
State of Tennessee. That Senator said be
was not going to march under my bloody ban
ner, and | would not find the Democracy of
| the North ready to strike down the people of
a gallant State contending for her rights. Did
any one hear me talking of marching down in
to South Carolina? No. Why then at
tacks made on positions which | did not as
sumo ? Why is this language used toward me
| unless intended to create false impressions I?
Why, sir, ssw the CONSERVATION in the faces
of some, and knew | had struck blow at trea-
son, and it was important that somebody from
another quarter should make the attack on my
speech. ssBloody banner" l suggested no
such thing. No; war is not a natural element
of mine; / would rather wear the dingy gar
| Al Il ra1l &l