The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-07-01
THE JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRAT.
Gov. Johnson's Acceptance.

A great Union mass meeting was hold at
Tennessee, on Friday night last,
at which Andrew johnson, tho Union Rc-
publican candidate for the Vice Presidency
made an eloquent and patriotic speech. In
the course OF bis remarks he said with much
emphasis I:
IL did no, seek the position assigned mo
by the National Convention. Not man In
all tho land can .ru,hfully say that have
asked him to use bis influence in my be-
half 10 that body, for tho position allotted
to me. or for any other. On the contrary,
| have avoided tho candidacy. But while
have not sought il, still, being conferred
upon me unsought. appreciate it the moro
highly. Being conferred on me without
solicitation, l shall not decline IL. Zap
plause) Como veal or woe, success or de-
feat, sink or swim, survive or perish, l ac
copt the nomination. on principle, be the
consequences what they may. will dc
what believe to be my duty"
Speaking of slavery, Gov. johnson uset
this language:
sand here lot mo say that now Is tho tint
to rccur to these fundamental principles
while tho land is rent with anarchy, and up
heaves with the throes of mighty revolu
ton. While society is in this disorderot
state, and we are seeking security, let vi
| fix the foundations of tho Government o,
principles Of eternal justice which will en-
dure for all time. Tnere is an element il
our midst which is for pcrpctuating the in
stitution of slavery. Lot me say to you
Tennessoeans and men from tho Northern
States, that slavery is dead. 1t was no
murdered by me. told you long ago wha
tho result would DO. If you endeavored to g
tho result would be bloodshed, rapine, dc
vastatod fields, plundered villages and cit
les and, theteiore. urged you to remaiI
in the Union. In trying to save slavery
you killed it, and lost your own freedom
Your slavery is dead, but did not murde
it. As Macbeth said to Bauquo's blood
ghost,
"Nover shake thy CORY locks at mo
Thou canst not say did it,"
Slavery is dead, and you must pardon m
If l do not mourn over its dead body yo
can bury it out of sight. In restoring tn
State, leave out that disturbing and dan
gerous clement. and use only those parts O
tho machinery which will move in harmony
Now. in regard to emancipation, l wan
to say to the black, that liberty means lit
erty to work and onjoy the fruits OF our 10
Dor. IdIoness 10 not freedom. l desir
that all men shall have a fair start and al
cqnal chance in tho race of life, and let hir
succeed who has the most merit. This,
think, is o principle of Heaven. i am 20
emancipation for two reasons: first, u
cause it is right in itself, and second, bec0hs
in tho emancipation Of the slaves, we brea
down an odious and dangerous aristocrac,
think that we are freeing more white
than blacks in Tennessee.
am Democrat in tho strictost meaniD
of tho term. l am for this Governmon
because 1t is democratic--a goVernmont G
. 4ha people. I am for putting down this n
bellion, because il Is war against democrac.
He who stauds of. stirring up discomfort
this State and higgling about negroes.
practically in the rebel camp. and encour,
gcs treason. He who in Indiana or Obi
makes war upon the Government out {
regard to slavery, is just as bad. The sa
vation of the country is now tho only bust
ness which concerts the patriot"