Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-07-01
SPEECH OF ANDREW JOHNSON.


A great Union mass meeting was held at Nash
vile. Tennessee, on Friday night the 10th inst at
which Andrew johnson, the Union Republican
candidate for the Vice Presidency made an eo-
quent and patriotic speech. In the course ct his
remarks he said with much emphasis
II did not seek the position assigned me by
the National Convention. Net Iasn IN all the
land can truthfully say that have asked him to
use his influence in my behalf in thai body, for
the position allotted-to me, or for any OTHER On
the contrary, have avoided the candidacy. But
have not. sought it. still, beng conferred upon
me unsought, ! appreciate it the @cre hlghy.-Z-
Being conferred on me without solicitation 1
sEqU not decline it. [Applause Come veal or
woe, success or defeat, sink or swinl, survive or
perish accept the nomination, On prnclpiei 10
the consequences what they may. val do what
believe to he my duty,
Speaking of slavery Gov. johnson used TINS
lauguage:-
sand here let me say that DOW IS the time 10
recur to these fundamental principles, whle the
land Is rent with anarchy and upheages with the
throes of mighty revolution. W hlle society ls
IN this dsordered state ana we are seeking seou-
ritz let us fix the foundation OF the 0oyernlnent
on principles OF eternal justice which viii endlr7
for al time. There IS an element IN our mIGst
who are for perpetnating the Institution OF Sla-
! verv. let me say to you. Tennesseeans and men
i from tI,e Northern States that Slavery Is dead.
/ 1t was not murdered BY me. l told you long ago
what the result would be If you endeavored 70
! % out of the Union to Slavery, and that the re-
| suit would be boodshed, rapine, degasted fields
! plundered villages and ci1;es'; and therefore :
4 urge YOU to remain in the Union. In trying 70
save Sla sery you killed IT, and lost your own 1rce-
dom. Your Slavery is dead but | did murder It.
As Macbeth said to Banquo bloody host
/ '.Neyer shake thy CORY locks at ne
! Thou canst not say did It.
Slavery is dead. and you must pardon me if L
do not mourn over Its dead body; you can leave
out the disturbing and dangerous element, and
1lss only those paris Of the machinery winch VII
move in harmony.
Now. IN regard to emancipation wantto say
to the blacks that liberty means liberty TO work
and enioy the fruits of our labor Idleness IS not
freedom. / desire that all men shall have far
start and an equal chance in the race of life, and
let him succeed who has the most merit. This L
think, is q principle of heaven. am for emanci-
nation for two reasons first, because il IS right IN
Itself and second, because in the emancipation OF
the slaves we break down odiouS and dangerous
J ar1stocracv thiuk we are freeing more whites
than blacks in Tennessee.
lam democrat in The strictes5 meaning OF the
tern. l am for the Government because It IS
Democratic a government Of the people / ara
for putting dowk this Rebellion, because it Is war
against democracy He who stands off, stirring
M discomfort in this State and higgllng about ne
eroes. is practically the Rebelcamp and encour-
/ ages treason He who in Indiana or Ohio makes
war ltpon the Government out of regard TO Sia-
\ very Is lust as bad The salvation of the country
is now the only business which concerns the patri-