Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-04-09
Speech of Gov. johnson in Nash
vile, Tennessee.

LFrom The NashriUe, Patriot. MareL 81
At the hour of III o'clock, Governor
johnson took his stand at the Speaker
desk of the Representatives Hall, and
spoke us follows
LADIES AND FELLow-C:TIZENS: l ap-
pear before you to-day, under extraordi-
nary circumstances, which l presume is
understood by all. | am not in the habit
of making a long exordium but, in my
crude way, desire to address you in the
spirit of one, who feels deep interest in
your destinies What / have to say,
will begin by calling your attention to the
! time when l made my valedictory address
as Chief Executive of your State. When
[ made that address, feel sure my fel-
low-citizens will testify to the truth that
the affairs of the gubernatorial Office had
been faithfully administered, and that l
yielded its honors in state of undisturb-
ed repose upon the bosom of Peace.
How have matters of State disposed of
since that period? I surrendered all the
powers of the Executive, and laid them
down, unimpaired at your feet. Peace
with all its attendant happiness, prevaded
the commonwealth then. How IS it now?
have returned to address you, and ask
your attention to the perilous and extra
ordinary condition of things now. When
quilted the gubernatorial chair, prosper
ity reigned throughout your State. What
condition do we find the country in now?
Look out, and see what is to be found
When you extend your vision over the
vast boundary of this beloved country,
what do you fnd2 You see men armed
in all the appointments of war; you look
upon battle-felds, and see fellow-country-
men bleeding. Why all this? And may
l not inquire what 1t has been for? Why
is it that fathers are disconsolate, that
mothers and sisters bear the impress of
grief and sorrow? Why is this disgrace
brought upon a contented and happy peo-
pie? Why is our beautiful land-the assy-
lum of the oppressed of every clime-bath-
ed in human blood? Ihope youwill keep
up the inquiry. Why all this?
-Four years ago l left my beloved State
quiet and happy-her free sons and love
" daughters had not dream of disorder.
return to-day in the midst of civil war
and the camp; in the sound of cannon
roar, and in the view of glistening bayon-
cts. Again / ask, why all this? Sisters,
mothers, fathers intend to ask you
something, and call upon you to hold the
guilty responsible for shedding innocent
blood.
You know that it has been said-and
said to me-that this is an unjust war
that the United States is unjustifably
prosecuting war against the South. 1t is
said, the South is carrying on the war for
rights southern rights. Who ever sought
to abridge their rights? The Govern
ment has never ceased to respect and fos-
ter its national structure Our pride
knows no East, no'West, no North, no
South-it is purely national in its charac-
ter.
The inquiry runs along, and what is the
conclusion reached? They complain of
lost rights; say they have been deprived
of just and constitutional rights in the
Territories and for their restitution. they
have gone to war. Permit me to make
an inquiry-in no offensive sense, but
simply that I may be understood-anoth- |
er inquiry of mothers, whose hearts are
bleeding for the slaughter of a dear son
or sisters, who pass their days in comfort |
less solitude, because fond brother sleeps
far away upon the battle-plain. 1t is this |
What right of the South has been denied?
What privilege withheld? What prerog-
atiye lost, under the constitution and
laws of the United States? What one p |
Can you tell me? Can you point it out ? |
Can you take the Constitution, and call |
the attention to any one right there guar
anteed, which you have lost? Can you
see it-smell it-taste it-feel it? You
may tax all your faculties, and cannot tell |
what right has been lost.
What excuse then is there for turmoil |
of war? What has the. South lost, under |
the Constitution, that palladium of our
Liberties, framed by the patriot fathers of
another century? Slavery, is the reply
Where has the institution of Slavery been
invaded? Can anv one tell? In what 1
have to say, L shall be pointed; address
myself to your brains and hearts, to your |
Judgment and patriotism. | can boast of |
no power of speech but when | feel that |
truth and right are on my side, am en-
boldened to speak with confidence. In
this connection, permit me to remark that |
since this excitement in reference to Sla-
very, because | and others have deter
mined to stand firm to our faith in self
government, we have been denominated
Is traitors. We declared faithfully to sup
port the Constitution, and because we
stood by that sacred instrument. we have
been denounced as traitors The Consti-
tuition defines treason to be, levying war
against the Government-adherin to the
enemy in time of war. l was the sworn
of the people; had regis
cred an oath in heaven to support the
Constitution, and see the laws faithfully
executed. Because we stand for the Con-
advocate and maintain the in
egrity of the Government of our fathers,
or which the purest and best men shed
heir blood; because we use our energies
n subscribing the great and unshalIen /
principles of the American Constitution,
conceived by men who united in their
characters the soul of honor, wisdom and
with Washington at their head;
because we work for the preservation, in
he hearts of our children of those patri-
ITS and soldiers, who bravely met priva-
ions and death-sleeping under inclem-
mt skies, and rising in the morning, to
push on their standards, Drawing every
)eT1l and sacrlhce-to achieve our indie
oendence; because we dare stand bv
hem; because we have esDoused their
leathless principles, We are denounced as II
Faitors. II 1t be treason to stand by ones
country, am here a traitor in your pres
nee.
was making the inquiry, "Why all
his ?" / direct your attention 10 some t
acts in our history. In the fall Of 1860.
ou remember the memorable contest for
he Presidency. Three candidates were
ut before the people-Bell, Breekinridge,