New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-16
SPEECH OF ANDREW JOHNSON.
He Accepts she Union Nomination for
Viee-President-HisP Position on Slavery
and the Rebellion.


Viee.President-HisP Position on Slavery
and the Rebellion.
A great Union mass meeting was held at
Nashville. Tennessee on Friday night at which Gov.
johnson was the principal speaker. The following re-
port Of his speech is from The Nashville Times:
After thanking the assembly for the compliment they
lad bestowed him. and few other preliminary Ie-
marks Gov. johnson proceeded TO say that we are en-
gagged IN great struggle for free Government In the
proper aooeptaton Of the term.
So far as the head Of the tickle. Is concerned the
Baltimore Convention has said not only to the United
States but TO all the nations OF the earth that we are
determined to maintain and carry out the principles Of
tree government. tApplause.) That Convention an
bounced and confirmed principle not to DO disre
garded 1t was-thet the tight Of secession apd the
power of State to place itself out OF the Union not
Recognized. The Convention Had declared this prnci
pie by its action Tennessee had been in rebellion
against the Government and wsged reasonable war
against Its authority just other Southern States had
done. She had seeded Just much other States
bad and left the Union as far as she had the power
%, Nevertheless the National Convention had declared
that State cannot put itself from under the national
authority. II said BY lie first nomination that the pres
ent President take him altogether, was the man 70
steer the ship Of State for the next four years Loud
EeIt II said-h may be permitted to speak of my.
ciple-"We viii 60 into one Of the RebelDoas States
and choose candidate for the Vice Presidency Thus
the Union party declared its belief that the rebel.
citizens are sti citizens Of the United States. And
now there Is but one great work for do that Ia to
put down the Rebellion. Our duty is 10 sustain the
Government and help it with all our might to crush ont
Rebellion which Is in violation OF al that is right ana
sacred.
Gov. johnson said he had no impassioned appeal to
make TO the people in his own behalf He had not
sought the position assigned him by the National Con.
sention Not man In all the land truthfuly say
that have asked him 70 his influence in my behalf
IN that body for the position allotted 20 for any
other On the contrary. have avoided the candidacy
But while have not sought 1t, still being conferred
i afa4a no rnar 1ilhlv
Being conferred on me without solicitation shall
Decline Il. [Applause Come veal or woe, success or
defeat sink or swim sDTys OF perish accept s ss
they may. will do what believe 20 DO my duty i
know there those here who profess 70 feel con
tempt for me- and On the other hand feel my superb
have always understood that there is sort Of excu
sye arstocrsoy about Nashville which affects to con-
temn all who are not within its little circle Let them
enjoy their opinions have heard 1t sold that
Worth makes the man. and want Of ii the fellow"
This aristocracy has been the bane Of the Slave
States; nor has the North been wholly free from its
curse. 1t is class which have always forced 70 re-
spect for have ever set 1t at defiance. The re.
epect of the honest intelligent and industrious class
have endeavorcd to win by my conduct as man. One
of the chief elements Of this Rebellion Is the opposition
Of the slave stocracy to being ruled by men who have
risen from the ranks OF the people.
This aristocraey hated Mr. Lincoln because he Of
ss uySe .scretsry u Howe COBB said 20 me one
day after long conversation We people Of the South
will not submit 10 be governed by nan who has come
up from the ranks Of the common people as Abe
Lincoln has" lie uttered the essential feeling and
spirit Of this Southern Rebellion Now 1t has jnst
occurred TO- If this arsoersey is so violently opposed
10 being governed by Mr. Lincoln what in tie maine OF
conscience will IL do with Lincoln and Johnsonf
lGrest laughter reject with scorn this whole idea
Of an arrogant aristoeraey believe thaf man Is capa,
bic Of selEgoyernmept irrespective OF his outward
circumstances; and whether he be laborer shoe.
maker tailor, grocer.
The question is whether nan Is capable Of sefgoyeru.
Hold f.4r faafl
FOR the convenience Of man, and not man for gov
eminent. The laws and constitutions were designed as
Instruments TO promote has welfare And hence from
this principle, conclude that governments and
ought 10 be changed and amended TO conform 70 the
wants 10 the requirements end progress OF the people,
and the enlightened spirit Of Tie age Loud applauseI
Now IL any OF your Secessonsts have lost faith mans
capaby OF segoy eInDeit and feelunit for the
eiseof this great right, 60 straight 10 KebeldOm take
JEFF Davis Beauregard and Bragg Tor your masters and
Pit their collars On your nocks.
And here let say that now j. the time TO TO
these fundamental principles while the land is rent
with anarchy and upheGycs with the throes Of mighty
Revelation While society is in tits disJrdered state
and we seeking security let us Tx .le foundation
OF the Government on principles OF eternal Justice which
will endure for all time. There is an element in our
midst who are for perpctuatng tie institution Of Sa
very Let me say 10 you, Tennesseeans and men from
the Northern states that Slavery is dead 1t was not
murdered by tod you long ago Wha' tne result
,youd be you endeavored to 90 out OF the Union 10
6aye Slavery and that the result would Dc bicodshed
ppine. devastated fields, pundered villages ana cites
irving 10 save Slavery you killed it, and lost your own
freedom. Your Slavery is dead. but did not murder
IL. AS Macbeth said to Banquos bloody ghost
Never shake thy CORY locks at me-
Thou cans; not say did it,
Slavery is dead and you must pardon ne II 40 not
mourn over Us dead body you can bury il out OF sight
In restoring the State leave out that disturbing and
dangerous Cement and nse only those parts Of the ma
chinery which will move In harmony.
Now in regard TO emancipation want TO say 70 we
blacks that liberty liberty 20 work and ENJOY the
ffuits Of our labor IdIeness Is not freedom desre
that Ill men shah have fair start and equal chance
n the Of e and let him succeed who has the most
merit. This think Is O principle Of heaven. am
fr emancipation for two reasons: first, because u
night In itself and second because in the emancipation
Of the slaves break down odious and dangerous
sristocracy. think that are freeing more whites
than blacks In Tennessee.
want " see Slavery broken up, aud vhenits bar
thrifty erganis pouring IN from all perte Of the coun
Try. Cone on We ased your labor. your skill, your
ssgital We wont your enterprise. and invention, SO