The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-11
Andrew johnson at Home.
AN ELOQUENT SPEECH.
Interesting Revelations OF secession
In the Senate.
What he thinks Of Breckenridge and
Benjamin.

Tennessee would address the people OF Da.
wilson county in the Capitol, We were not
surprised to find the hall we'll filled when
we arrived there at IL o'clock A. M, and
before the Governor arrived, twenty-five
minutes thereafter, every available spot on
the floor and galleries was brought into
requisition to crafty the anxious crowd
who came to hear from the Governors own
lips, his views on the momentuous question
which now agitates not only the American
continent, but is felt by the powers and peo-
pie of the old world. Among the auditors
were several ladies, who were provided with
seats in front of the Speakers chair, and
who paid the most earnest attention to all
that was said, as did the entire audience.
One of the bands of the United States was
present, and performed several old time IA
vorite airs. At ll:25 the Governor arrived
accompanied by Hon. Horace Maynard and
other gentlemen. The Governor and Mr..
MAYNARD took seats at the Clerks desk,
when the band struck up Hail Columbia,
which being finished the Governor spoke:
I'VE can give only extracts from this
speech. We give, however, all that is of
importance.
Why do we behold weeping fathers, dis
consulate sisters, and broken hearted moth,
ers? Why is the matron clothed in black
and bathed in tears? Why is the disaster
brought upon contented and happy peo-
pie? Why is our beautiful land-the asy.
lum of the oppressed of every cline
bathed in human blood? hope you will
keep up the inquiry, Why all this?
-, 10 in M nj
fensive sense, but simply that l may be un-
derstood--another inquiry: What right
has been denied, what privileges withheld,
what prerogatives lost. under the constitu.
ton and laws of the United States, by any
citizen thereof, and particularly citizen of
Tennessee What one? Can you tell?
Can you point it out? Can you take up
the constitution and call attention to any
right there guaranteed which you have
lost ? Can you see it-smell it-taste it
feel it? You may tax all your faculties,
and cannot tell what has been lost. What
excuse, then, is there for all this turmoil of
war? What has the South lost under the
constitution, that palladium of our liberties,
framed by the patriotic fathers of another
century? "Slavery" is the reply. Where
has the institution OF slavery been invaded ?
Can any one tell =?
was a witness of the reign of terror
which followed the defeat of Bell, Breckin-
ridge and Douglas, and when the election
was over REPAIRED to Washington. 1t was
there that Breckenridge showed the cloven
foot. South Carolina was basely and
adroitly attempting to dissolve the Union.
I saw Breckenridge and conversed with
him; told him the people were all disap-
pointed; that we had all been caught in
snap; secessionists would break up the
Union. What was bis reply? "Can we
coerce Slater" remarked at is our
duty to save the Government" "Will you
coerce 2" be again demanded. I told him
not to deal in technicalities- laws must
be enforced. - ~
My interview with Breckenridge was like
an iceberg in my bosom. was deceived
in him and discovered that Breckenridge
had no hope OF being elected-no hope but
for Kentucky and the Southern STATS. l
asked him if be was willing to disunite the
States b cause of Mr.. Lincoln success,
and because disconnected South Carolina
agitated the subject? To this question
Breckenridge replied in ad captandum slang
about subjugation and the horrors of ci-
vii conflict, convincing me that he had gone
into the arms of dsunion. As be could not
to divide them and become President OF
part of them. We separated. "You de.
ceived NE then; that was your fault; but
when you deceive HE again it will be
mine."
liz returning 10 my native State, offer
the OH e branch 10 the enc hand ard the
constitution in the other. With and Tor it
| come 10 perish, il need be--to pour out
ny blood d Tree libatiOn for its presGrva.
ton, The federal government is made re.
sponeible Tor this war by the men who have
entall9d its horrors upon the country by
crying cut their pretended rights are gone.
Let US forget al parties and former associa.
tions, and see tie question as it is.
Were it possible for Old Hickory to re.
turn among us, and see what is gong on,
what would be the Il atment of southern
traitors Is illustrated in the answer of an
old man who knew and loved him well. He
came TO see me but short time ago, and in
reply to my question if any one had been
impious enough to plant the stars and bars
over the old hero's grave, be said d" Yes;
and iii be DIFF l didn't expect to see the
old man jump from bis grave and order the
last traitor to be ANONYMOUSLY hanged p
Tariff was the pretext for dsunion in
1882, and the slavery or negro question is
the pretext now. How do the facts stand
when we come to examine them Let US
60 back to the proceedings of the last
Congress. What was the true phase of the
times? A compromise, you remember, the
Crittenden compromise, was introduced.
The Southern Senators, including Bepja-
min Toombs, Iverson, aud list of others,
pretended that if the measure passed the
South would be satisfied but they desired
everything but compromise. Senator Clark
offered an amendment which be believed
would be acceptable to the South. l had
critically kept pace with these pretenders.
Their protest was only to disguise their reA
al intentions. When the vote was put on
CIark's ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS well, only IS
ballots we're recorded. The amendment
was adopted by two votes, thus defeating