The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-03-06

: Gov JOhnsOn's Speech
At tie Great Union Meeting at hdianap
oils. FEB. &c, 1868.
<--.---
RECEPTION SPEECH OF GOV. WRIGHT.
In introducing Gov. Johnson, Governo
Wright said:
have the pleasure Of introducing to yo,
q statesman whose name is familiar through b
ont the land. personal and political friend
Gov. Andy Johnson, of Tennessee. Twen
Ity years ago last December he had met bin
IN the halls of Congress as representa-
tive from Tennessee. Since then, as hel
Governor and her Senator. he had comman.
ded the respect and confidence of every
man North and South. He is proper rep
Ieseniative of that State to talk to you at
this terrible hour of our national crisis. He
was also representative of one of the feat
'ures Of our free institutions, rising from a
poor boy to the highest position. learning US
that the humbest may equal the wealthiest
in position. The question now is. whether
wealth shall rule the country, or merit and
talent. To every man who heard him to-
day, whether he pushes the plane or fol-
lows the plow. the question comes home.
whether you have a right 10 protection from
the Government, and to participate in it,
Gov. Johnson comes from the South. as
representative Of your Government, and
tells you that he is for the Union, the whole
Union, ard nothing but the Union. While
regretling that our worthy Governor was
not present to do this duty, and while, as
Executive Of this State, he had introduced
on former occasions, distinguished states
men, he had never in his lite ielt the emo
tions he now did in presenting to them a
statesman cradled in the State where Jack
son is entombed, aud Democrat ho knows
what Democracy IS. Nor could he refrain
from mentioning the fact that few months
ago. when Nashville was threatened by
Bragg. and it's surrender was advised by
military mer. Gov Johnson, with his iron
will, avowed that he would not abandon
Nashville till its Capitol was in ruins, and
himself buried by its fall. l present him
to you aud ask you to receive him with
open arms.
Gov. Johnson was received with outbursts
of applause, and replied as follows:
GOV. JoHNsoN's SPEECH.
Fellow-citizens of the State of Indiana.
low citizens. Although an inhabitant of
another State. claim to be a citizen Of the
United States. and recognize each and ev-
cry one Of you fellow citz-n, who claims
under the broad panopoly of this
Union of ours. In presenting myself to
you, it is with no ordinary degree of EN-
find an audience far beyond
my capacity to address, so far as my voice
is concerned. nor have l strength to present
the subject as l wish. Another cause of
is that appear before YOU
in the midst of civil war, . revolution.
which is calculated to interest each one OF
you. If any had come expecting oratory
they would be disappointed. For in pre-
senting myself to this concourse of people,
if l know my own mind. it will be for the
purpose of making lodgment in your
hearts Of the truth on the great questions
which have agitated the nation, and invol
we'd it in civil war.
When We look around, what condition do
we find the country in just the other
day all was peaceful. happy and prosper
rus. All portions OF the country Wed with
-ach other in their professions Of their de-
ire for the common good. The great con
rest seemed TO be between the advocates of
the various parties ard creeds, pronouncing
eulogies on their several States. Each one
uttered eulogies on the blessings which had
flowed upon this people under the Consti-
tuition of the United States since the iorma-
tion of the Government. Whit has trans
pired or taken place in so short period of
time, rs to make it necessary for one portion
OF your country men TO commence a war Of
in the nation?
1t has been contended by some in high
places, and some in places not so high. that
one portion of our fellow-citizens had been
deprived Of their rights. Let me ask this
sea of upturned faces before me to lay aside
heir prejudices--to forget that they ever
belonged to the respective parties of the
NE ask them what rights have
been lost in the United States since the for
nation Of the Constitution Has any rig I
been given up, or any right been taken
away? l care not what party any man be-
opgs to. can he put his finger on any one
right which has been lost t.
Why, then, this crusade on the Constitu
ion and the institutions under it
As / remarked on a former occasion. l
DO not appear here as partizin; but have
not given up my political creed in the slight
st degree. l have neither come here. or
been elsewhere, to revoke single political
principle which espoused at the commen.
cement Of my public life. stand where I
have always stood. an uncompromising
Democrat. stand to day, as the . lvocatc
Of the great Democratic principle OF self
government, that the people are the great
source of political power. In ater years l
have come TO the conclusion that tie Union
of these States was a fixed principle of
Democracy. Hence. We simply adhere to
the principles of self-governmeni, and of
The people as the source OF power. when we
talk OF the Constitution and of all laws en-
sc,ed under it as obi yatory on those who
i've under it, This Is Democracy This is
here stand. II is true doctrine that
he Government was mste for the convent
,nce Of man, and no, man for TIE Govern
nent just as the shoe is made for the foot,
lot the foot for the shoe.
One ot the frs. ideas learned in connec-
ON with government vas that the soul o'
AAs ,haR-