The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-09-26
Speech of Hon. Reverdy Johnson.

On the 18th of Sept, Hon. Reverdy johnson
OF Baltimore member of the U. S. Senate
for Maryland-delivered an address at Sarato-
ga before an Agricultural Association. The
closing portion of the address touched our
national affairs. Mr.. johnson is loyal to the
cora, but has his own views of the policy Of
the government. 1t will be seen from what we
copy below, that while he does not believe
that by rebellion the States lose their orgaai-
zation and institutions, he distinctly denies
the right of a state to re-enslave man made
free by the war, or by any constitutional act
of the President growing out of the war. He
sayss B 4 r
think do, that this cursed rebellion be put
down, now and forever At present this can only be
effected through the Union of loyal hearts and the
power OF loyal arms. so long as the bad and reck-
ess aens lew in number,l who for years plotted and
instigated the rebellion have the control of armies
the dcuded but honest masses of our southern
brethren viii be kept in awe, and prevented from
hbiting, what believe already to great ex.
s ssn as i0ye o. the to which they must aust
these armies dissolved and they promise to be
through the skill and yaor of our troops the authors
Of affective strife will be seen seeking safety in exile,
even from the indignation of the people they have
so ruined and the restoration OF peace. fraternal
S to Is %o
Grafton after victory Will e. found nd, absolutely neces-
sbou,a they he ~l ~
upon any conditions inconsistent with any of the
rights which, citizens of States, they eDjoyed be-
fore the rebellion broke out IT, under tho laws of
war, or any Constitutional exercise Of executive or
legislative power, during the existence of the war,
their rights OF properly have been lost aud SO lost
that they cannot be restored, this. have doubt
will constitute serious impeachment TO their return
to the national family. IL therslaves shall have been
made free by snch means, las to which express no
opinion, they must remain free Freedom gran
ted under our Constitution. and the principles upon
which it rests, nerer be recalled.
True it may be- and il is certainly true, that the
Government OF the Union in the ordinary exercise
of its powers has jurisdiction the institution
Of slavery IN the States yet i IS | think, equally
to'sidsery. sGuarantying each State republican
each citizen the protection of the principles upon
which such government reposes. 1t must. there
FORE tie authority foprohibit he States from
not to be considered as advocate of slavery either
In the abstract or in the particular Would TO iieav-
us Its introduction was against the sentiment Of
forefathers and constituted one of the items of
grievances enumerated in their Declaration of indie
psndence, Is just cause of forcbe separation from
It is possible that to the white man, in a govern.
men Ike ours, the institution has political and
social advantages, but TO say nothing of its injustice
il has many countervsing evils, aud must forever
be the cause Of national trouble and weakness. 1t
WILL therefore, in my view be matter for national re.
j0icng when 1t becomes censtitutionally extinct
No one can. think, doubt that, in the opinion of
the world IT IL blot on our otherwise fair fame,
and also seriously affects in the estimation of the
best and most enlightened men OF our own country
past and present. Y. ~. f-s-.s-sr ~
To conclude. gentlemen, hope that the time is
nearnt baud when the President win be able, through
the result of the conquerng progress of the nations
flag. and will be willing TO issue proclamation of
amnesty to all but the leaders who produced the
iratricdal strife nyi ing the people, misguided
brethren. to returnto the family mansion. And il
this should occur and they should come, / am sure
they would be welcomed back with the joy that
summation ofour Independence fathers in
49, That aficcted-and may it be at the earliest
ment-we shall again start on career of prosperity
that will once more amaze the world. and of power
that will efectually preserve and policy from
foreign encreachment or insult
Your labors, too, will then receive an additional
impulse You will then know that you will have
cured TO YOU fhrf ugh all time country to be cut-
waited by yourselves and descendants, and govern
ment to which You look for every protection that
free people have q right TO expect and demand.
mcsce; every lapd ied with admiration ut our prog
ress and every Kovernmcnt careful to observetoward
us every national duty. We may then feel confident
and happys and tear no danger from. foreign do
mcstio f0es. ~ 12A1E w ~ n MtNN a&LN "
with freedoms soil beneath our feet,
ssHAnd freedoms banner waving DER u.s." g,rg't
we will then be the rival and the envy of the world
and. carefully abstaning from interfering with the
rghte OF other nations, be found ever determined
and able to protect all our own.
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