The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-11
Andy JOhnSOn'S Fourth Of July
Address.
THE VOICE OF A TRUE DEmooRAr.

Sketch Of Coo. Johnssns Speech from the
Porch Of the Capitol On the Night of the
4h.-SoUtheyn Republication Us. Northern
Negro Stealing - Treason Must be Made Odi-
O1es, and Traitors Impoverished.
From the Nashville Union, cth.l
Governor johnson being long and loudly
called for, appeared amid deafening and en-
thusiastic cheering. He said it had been his
nxed determination not to speak again in
Nashville without preparation. He had spo-
Ken 90 often inthis place, that he feared his
remarks would grow stale. (Shouts of $50
on go onF) He came here tonight tolisten
TO distinguished gentleman who was pre-
vented by sickness from attending, and with
no expectation of speaking himself But as
no one else seemed to be willing TO speak, he
would contribute his mite to the entertain
ment and information, if possible, Of this vast,
orderly, and intelligent audience. From the
hrst OF the wicked rebellion he had mado up
his mind as to his duty, and survive or perish,
SINK or swim, be was determined to fight it
through TO the end. He was q soldier for the
war. He had been denounced, illuminated
and traduced as q traitor for his devotion to
ms country, but challenged any one to point
OUT an act where he had violated his duty or
ms oath Of office In fighting under the old
nag for the Government, he was but conform
ing to the principles he had avowed from his
earliest manhood. He had always stood be-
lore the people as the advocate of popular
government, against the government of prop
erty, as democrat in the true and primary
sense of that word.
And tonight he appeared to defend the
great principles of civil and religious liberty.
In our old contests, political parties commended
whose policy was best adapted to promote the
good and prosperity of the Government and
OF the Union, but now the great question was,
snail this Government and this Union exist,
or shall they PERISH There were only two
parties now, one composed of the friends, the
other Of the foes of the Union. And although
demagogues attempted to raise the cry of
Slavery and Abolition, the real question to be
decided was, shall free government live on the
western continent Be assured that that is
the question which uEderlies the rubbish and
rant Of corrupt and reckless office hunters
Negroes Slavery Southern Rights Coer
cion What terrible bugbears to frighten
timid people and blind them to the real point
at issue. He asked the vast multitude before
MN what Southern rights any of them had
lost In the Union. Did it ever rob or impov-
erish2 Did it ever defraud or Cypress you /?
Then if you have lost no rights, why all these
vast armies-why these bayonets, and cannon,
fleets and tented fields? Why all these new
made graves and oceans Of blood?
Why are hundreds of you coming to the
Capitol, praying for the release Of your de-
luded boys? He could not tell why. 1t was
because some corrupt and reckless politicians
wanted place and power They were deter
mined to ruin the country if they could not
govern the whole Union-they wee deter
mined to govern a part He knew these
Southern politicians, Yancey, Toombs, Davis,
Wigfall, Mason, Benjamin, aRd Others, we'll,
for he had served with them for years in Con-
gress. He was familiar with their views and
feelings, and, having watched their course
closely, believed that he understood their mo-
tives clearly. He sat side by side with them
when they protested that thew wanted com.
promise with the NORTH he journals OF
congress proved that IT, re had an OPP
portunity to get the c 8 they pro-
fessed to desire, and yet l., lowed it to be
defeated when their vote could have obtained
it. They talked hypocritically. A settlement
OF difficulties was the very last thing thai
these rebel Senators wanted. They sought
continually how they mightdefeat peaceable
settlement Of the question in dispute. They
took their seats in the Federal Congress fol
the purpose of breaking up the Union, and
founding one which they could control They
succeeded, unhappily for the country, il
- luz q bivouJ oiu cEue1 duu thal
holy war.
A war, and for what ? Why this fearful sa.
erifice If life, this blight upon the happines;
OF once happy people2 People of Davidson
county, what have you lost that you should
20 to war? / ask those thoughtless boys who
have returned from the rebel army, the quickest
way they could, how many negroes they had
lost by the Abolitionist? You were induced
and cajoled by rich rebles, and threatened into
the army to fight against your county, but
when you returned didn't you find these arts
tocratic chivalry sitting snugly at home? The
very men who were most clamorous for South
ern rights were the very last to go into the
army to fight for them, but they were busy
in getting Others to go. The chivalry cham.
pions of Southern rights indeed Why they
have robbed and plundsred and devasted the
South. They have made East Tennesse q des
ert because her people are loyal. am 8 slaN.
owner mysely, not by inheritance but by hard
labor, and they not only robbed me of my ne.
groes, but turned my wife and little boy into
tho streets, and converted my dwelling into q
hospital and barracks, The southern chivalry
have been the greatest robbers and enemies o.
the rights of the people that the country ha:
ever seen.
And if this war goes on through the folly
and wickedness of Southern rebels, slavery j!
at en- end, for it has no protection and no guar
antee outside Of the Union. With the deatE
of the Federal Union dies slavery. The Abo
iitionist and Secessionist on this point occupy
the same stand; there is no difference bet eer
them. The Abolitionists, such as Wendell
Phillips, Garrison, and others, denounce Pres
ident Lincoln as worse than JEFF Davis
From the hands of these incendiaries on botl
sides the people must rescue the Union
There is a great middle party between thes,
two extremes who must maintain the govern
ment. The work must be done by the people
Don't wait for your leaders to guide You
know the people of Nashville well, and know
the feeling which controls them, and know
the men who have been your leaders; for
have been with them for years as a member Q
the Legislature, as Governor of your State, ant
as Senator in Congress You haverelied OF
these leaders as oracles whose bidding yol
must obey. You ask where are our leaders
the John Bells, Ewings, Neil Browns and til
U1zios and A0acricaas