The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-03-25
SKETCH
GOV. J0HNSON'S REMARKS
Before the union League, New
YORK City.

another tremendous rally Of the Union
League took place in New York City on
Saturday week, 1t was the grandest
demonstration of the season. Speeches
were made by several eminent Republic
cans and Democrats. We subjoin
sketch of Gov. JoHNsoN's speech which
was received with unbounded enthu-
siasm:
Governor Andrew johnson coming for
ward, was received with the most hearty
applause. lie said that he labored under
great embarrassment on the present oc-
casion, owing to the condition of his
health, which had been much impaired
OF late by constant speaking and the ir-
regular state Of the weather. He did not
expect to see such an audience as this
and this greatly increased his embar-
rassment--foT, although he expected to
see an audience such as New York can
furnish atany time upon short notice, he
did not expect TO see all creation as
sembled here. laughter and applause
What has brought the country to its
present state He was not in the habit
of calling our present difficulty civil
war, but a rebellion, which was antici-
pated and provided for in the Constitu-
ton of the United States. The inquiry
comes up, why this rebellion, and what
has caused it? Has any portion of our
fellow citizens in their State capacity
been deprived of their rights or privi-
leges under the Constitution of the United
States, as would justify them in a rebel-
lion? We are called upon, in the words
of the Constitution, 10 suppress this re-
bellion, ana the question comes up, are
we going 10 he 30 divided, North and
South, as TO be deprived of the power to
suppress il, as provided for in the Con-
stitution This Government like all
other Governments, has three ordeals
through which it must pass. First, this
Government must struggle into existence.
/ After having submitted TO all the pri-
vations and hardships incident to the for
nation of a Government, your Govern
ment has been established. 1t took its
! position among the nations of the earth
1t succeeded in passing through its first
ordeal. Then the next ordeal through
| which the nation had to pass was in
maintaining its nationality among the
other nations of the earth. 1t succeeded
in passing this ordeal. We had the war
of 1872 and the war with Mexico, and
then we confirmed the opinion Of the
civilized world that we were able to main
tain our nationality among the nations
of the earth. Then we come 10 our pre-
sent condition, the third ordeal, and that
is the one in which we are now engaged.
The third ordeal through which the ma
ton has to pass is in contending with
intestine foes, treason aud traitors at
home. Will we begin now to falter eX-
cite doubts, raise questions of difficulty
while we are in this third struggle2 Have
we become dissatisfied with that man
hood which was handed down TO us by
our fathers? las our blood grown pale,
and have we become so degenerate as to
surrender the best government that the
world ever saw? If we pass through
this odeal our government will be estab-
lished upon hrmer and more enduring
basis than evez before. Applause
But the question comes up, how are
we TO get through this third ordeal? In
the beginning OF this rebellion Il was
said there must be no coercion, lest we
should have war. Now that we have
war upon as, we hear crOakers and SYM
pathisers with the rebellion say that the
true way to pass the Government through
the third ordeal is compromise and ar
mistice. Are we prepared for this The
very instant you talk about compromise
you repudiate the very idea of preserving
the existence of the Government. The
very instant you propose an armisticC
or compromise you acknowledge The
rebellion, and set a precedent for every
disahected portion OF the country here.
after.
Who are we called upon 10 compro
mise with There stands a traitor,
Rebel upon the violated Constitution
with arms in his hands, bayonet a
your bosom and a sword at your throat
But you talk about compromise. Voices
Never" Has your manhood de.
parted VIII you shrink and over be
fore traitors! If you are prepared TO d,
! il you are not worthy the name Of free.
men. This talk about compromise is
mere prstext When you talk abou
compromise are you going TO the South
, ern States, which are now under IN
control Of traitors? II you compromis
2 with them and take their necks out o
the halter and reinstate them, what viii
you do with the dOwn-trOdden Unioi
men who are struggling for libertyg w
{ OF Tennessee do not come here % de
mand your sympathy, but we como her
10 demand our Constitutional rights
Applause. When we turn to the grea
> charter Of human freedom, the Consliiu
tion, what do you and? That the Con
stitution of the United States shal
guarantee TO every State in the Union
Republican form Of government.
We come with the Constitution and in
sst upon the enforcement Of its guaran
, tee, and we demand Of the United States
: In the name of the Constitution, repub
, lican form Of government, and doinI
; that we demand that the rebellion shsl
; be pat down. Applause. We find tina
rebellions were anticipated when thi
! provision was put into the Constitution
Great complaint has been made about th
) suspension of the writ OF hQleas oJyplu
9 Is there any man who has no treAso
+ lurkingin his bosom that IL apprehensiy
I Of an arrest2 Why are certain person
, 80 Apprehsnsiye in this regard BE
: cause treason 10 lurking ia their bosomi
{ Lorenzo Dow, whep he was on bis wa
on ono occasion % attend an appoint
ment, met man who complained that hi
= axe had been stOlan, will settle tha
! matter for you" said Dow. Before reach
] ing tho Westinghouse he picked up