The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-06-29

that has a tendency to promote and anchor.
ate the condition Of the mass Of mank md -
Therefore repeat that this odious and ab,n-
abe doctrlnc-l do not say 1t in u piofane
SENSE but this doctrine | conceive to be hell
born and hell bomd and one which will carry
everything in its train, unless it is arrested
and crushed out from our midst.
In response to what has been said to me
here o-dav, confess when lay my hand
upon my bosom, | feel gratified at hearing
the sentiments that have been uttered that
we are all willing to stand up for the consti-
tutional rights guaranteed to every State
every community, that We are 4 Il determined
to stand up for the prcrogativcS secured to us
in the Constitution as citizens Of States com.
posing one grand Confcderacy, whether we
belong to the North or to the South, to the
East or 10 the West. ! say that | am graft.
fled TO hear such sentiments uttered here to.
day. [ regard them as the most conclusive
evidence that there is no disposition on the
part Of any citizens of tho loyal States to
make war upon any peculiar institution of
the South. whether it be slavery or anything
else leaving, that institution under the Con-
stitution, to he controlled by time. circum-
stances and the great laws which lie at the
foundation ofal things which political lcgis-
latiOn can control.
We have arrived at that point or that
period in our national history at which it has
become necessary for this Government to say
to the civilized. as well as TO the pagan world
whether it is in reality Government, or
whether 1t is but pretext for a Government.
II it has power to presove its existence and to
maintain the principles of the Constitution
and the laws that time has now arrived. -
II it is Government, that authority should
be asserted. say, then, let the civilized
world see that we have a Government. Let
us dlSpel the deluson under which we have
been laboring since the Inauguration of the
Government in 1859 let US show that it is
not an ephcmcral institution; that we have
not imagined we had Government, and
when the test came, that the Government
frcttered away between our fingers and
quickly faded in the distance The time has
come when the Government reared ty our
fathers should assert itself and give conclu-
Sivc proof to the civilized world that it is a
reality and perpetulety.
Let us show to other nations that this
doctrine of secession is a heIeSy--that States
coming into the Confederacy. that individuals
living in the Confcderacy, under the Constr
tuition has no right nor authority, upon their
own voliion. to set the laws and the Consti-
tuition aside, and to hid defiance to the au-
| thority Of the Government under which they
| live.
substantially cited the best authority
that could be produced upon this subject, and
took this position during the last session of
Congress. stand here to-day before you
and advocated the same Drinclplcs | then
contendcd for.
AS early as 1888, I say, formed my
opinions in reference to this doctrine Of seceS.
sion in the notification of the laws of the
United States. held these doctrines up to
the year 1850, and maintain them still
| Bringing it down to the present times,
there has been no disagreement between
Republicans, Bell men, Douglas men and
Breckenridge men, as regards the preserva-
ton of the Union of States. Now. however
these measures are all laid asillc--all these
party questions are left out Of consideration,
and the great question comes up whether The
Constitution, as adopted by the old articles Of
confederation. and afterwards rcailirmcd in
the adoption of the Constitution of the United
States-l say now. when the great question
arises involving the preservation and cXis.
tence of the Government of the United States,
| am proud to meet thus vast concoursc of
people and hear them say that they are will.
ling to lay aside all party measures all
party considerations, and come up to Join in
one (raternal hug to sustain the bright stars
and broad stripes Of our glorious Union-all
willing to unite, repeat, in one fraternal hug
all willing to cooperate for the consumma-
ton of a sublime purpose, without regard
to former party drferenccs-that we are all
determined to stand fast by the Union of
| these States.
| So far as am concerned am willing to
say i'll this connection that [ am proud
am gratlicd 10 stand here among you as one
of the humble npholders and supporters Of the
Stars and Stripes that have been borne by
Washington through seven years revolu-
tion-a bold and manly struggle for our
dcpendence-and separation from the
mother country. That is my fiag-that flag
that was borne by Washington in triumph
Under it want to live, and under no other
Mr.. johnson gave statement Of the pro-
visions of the Tennessee Scccss ion ordinance,
and said the eastern portion Of the State
had rejected it by large majority, and
would always remain opposed to it. lie
referred to the refusal OF Gov. Harris to fur
nish East Tennessee with arms unless the
people would agree to fight for the State Gov
eminent, gave an account Of the persecution
of the Union men in Tennessee, aud con.
cluded with glowing appeal for the preser-
walton Of the Union.