The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-08-05

We give the essential portion OF Andrew
Johnson's letter accepting the Republican
nomination:
At the beginning Of this great struggle en-
tcrtained the same opinion of IL that do now,
and In my place in the Senate denounced IL as
treason, worthy the punishment of death, AMI
warned the Government aud people Of the i'm.
pending danger. But my voice was not heard
or counsel Needed until Il was too late 70 avert
the storm. II still continued TO gather over US
withou, molestation from the authorities at
Washington, until at length il broke with all
its fury upon the country. And now, II we
would save the Government from being over
whelmed by IL. We must meet IL in the true spir-
1t of patriotism. aud bring traitors to the pun
ishment due their crime, and by force of arms
crush out and subdue the last yestige Of rebel
authority in every State.
felt then as now, that the destruction Of the
Government was deliberately determined upon
by wicked and designing conspirators, whose
lives and fortunes were pledged to carry IL out,
and that no compromise. short Of an uncondi-
tionsl recognition OF the independence OF the
Southern States, could have been. or could now
be proposed. which they would accept. The
clamor Tor Southern rights, as the rebel jour-
mails werc pleased to designate their rallying
cry, was not to secure their assumed rights in
the Union and under the Constitution, but to
disrupt the Government, and establish an inde-
peudsnt organization, based upon slavery,
which they could at all times control.
The separation of the government has for
years been the cherished purpose OF the South
crn leaders. Baffled in 1892, by the stern, pat
riGtic heroism Of Andrew Jackson, they sullen.
IN acQuiesced, only TO mature their diabolicsl
schemes, and await the occurrence OF a more
favorable opportunity TO execute them. Then
tho prefext was the tariff, and jackson, afer
foiling their schemes Of notification and dis
union. with prophetic perspicuty. warned the
country against the renewal OF their efforts to
dismember the government.
In q letter, dated May 1, 1888, TO the Rev.
A. J. Crawford. after demonstrating the heart.
less insincerity of the Southern nullihers, he
said:
Therefore the tariff was only prctext, and
disunion and Southern coniederacy the real
object. The next pretext will DO the negro, or
slavcry question"
Time bas fully verified this prediction. and
We have now not only NEGRO or slavery
question" as the pretext, but the real cause oi
this rebellion, and both must 30 down together.
Il Is vain 10 attempt TO reconstruct the Union
with tho distrscting element of slavery In u.
Experience hss demonstrated its incompatibili-
ty with free and republican governments, and
Il would be unwise and unjust longer to con-
tinuc il a. one OF the institutions OF the coun-
try. While IL remained dsuporuinate to tne eon-
s,itution aud laws Of tho United States, yield
cd TO Il my support. but when II became rebel
lious and attempted to rise above the Govern
ment and control its action. threw my hum
ble infiu, nee against IL.
The authority OF the Government Is supreme,
and will admit Of no rivalry. No institution
can rise above IL, whether ii be slavery or any
other organized power. In our happy form oil
Government all must be subordinate TO the viii
OF the people, When reflected through the Con-
stitution and laws made pursuant thereto--Statc
~ Federal This great principle lies at the
foundation OF every government, and cannot
be dsrcgarded without the destruction OF the
government itself
BY recurring 20 the principles contained in
tho resolutions 30 unanimously adopted by the
Convention, find that they substantially ac-
cord with my public acts and opinions hereto
fore made known and expressed, and are there
fore most cordially indorsed and approved
aud tbe nomination, having been conferred with
out any solicitation on my part, 10 with the
greater pleasure accepted.
In accepting the nomination might hers
Close, but cannot forcgo the opportunity o
saying 20 my old friends Of the Democratic par
ty proper, with whom have 80 long and pleas
antiy bean. associated. that the hour has nov
come whom that great party can justly vindi.
osts Ito devotion to true dsmocratio policy and