The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-01-26
KEOKUK:
speech 81 Govsrnsr JsAnssn.

NA01141LL8.
speech - GovsrnSr JoAnssn.
The sighsh u Jsauxry wss comnghofs-
ted at Nashville, and speeches made by
Governor johnson. and. Col. Dustia-r-
From the remarks of the former, - re-
ported in the Dispatch, we make the fol-
lowing extract:
The people made the 0ossfnAs nt, and
it must remain under the control Of the
people. The Government being under
thu people, and the fustitotious dnosrfAs
Government. any institution antsgoniseic'
TO the Government must necessarily give
way for the preservation of the Govern
ment. Institutions are tolerated for q
time; They are not fixed they are SUBJ
ject to chapge, or they die out. Not 30
the Constitutional Government, which is
fixed, lasting institution of the peo-
pie. We once had United States Bank,
and We had Jackeon, who hated aris-
tocracy in any shape, whether in slaves
or money. He crushed it. All institu-
tons must be subordinste to the Govern
ment Of the United States. Before the
rebellion we could discuss all institutions,
all SUBJECTS. all measures, except slavery.
On that subject no one dared speak, or
write, or print, except on the side of
the slave sristocracy. Now. thank God,
the time has come when the press is un-
muzzled-when the press can discuss this
and all other subjects. The time has
come when this institution is dead-when
the chains are broken and the captive set
free. [Applause. The institution is
dead applause and slaves are not worth
qaarter of dollar dozen. Laughter. I
Being dead, let US in . becoming man.
ner prepare for the funeral obsequies -
Now is the time 70 dispose of this great
question. 1t is q great question. and one
which must be settled upon the great
principle of human freedom not by Alb
olltionists in the North, nor by Secession
lists in the South. but by the great law of
sef-preservation which governs all men
alike.
Slavery is a cancer upon the body poll
tic, which must be rooted out before per.
feet health can be restored. The great
law refer 10 is uow at work, and negroes
and all things which may be in the way
TO impede its course must get out Don't
90 to inventing, but find out the princi-
pies OF this law, and conform Jour actions
thereto. ! will go back to the subject OF
institutions. l want no better League
than the Constitution of the United States,
and laws made in pursuance thereof
The Constitution, that palladium of civil
and religious liberty. il my League it is
small enough for me and large enough
all - for the whole world. No in.
stitution must rise above it. This
is the peoples Constitution-the peoples
Government. The voice of God, and
hence tbe purity, the beauty, the harmo-
ny of our Government. Go back to the
articles of. Confederation, which we're de-
signed TO secure perpetual union ofthe
States; the Constitationsswas framed to
secure more perfect union. In it pro-
vision is made for its own amendment. for
the admission Of new States, for every-
thing but Secession. Nowhere is there
found provision for letting State OUT
1t provides means to repel invasion and
suppress instruction, it also guarantees
to every State in the Union republican
form of Government and to protect them
from domestic violence. This Govern
ment of ours was intended TO be indes-
tructible. to be perpetual. Like the
Christian religion, the Constitution is
comprehensive enough for the whole
world. Away with the idea of State sui
eide Away with the doctrine of Seces.
sion, It's twin brother We are parts Of
great whole, working at present some. !
what in tremendously, but as soon as the
Government puts down the rebellion, and
the machinery be again put in running
order, leaving out whatever may have be-
fore prevented its running smoothly. the |
State will stand firm. Some of her insti. |
tutions may be rubbed out, but the State |
stands. els, and will contiue to be |
State, whether with or without SIaverv.
and the Government will 90 on. admit |
no such thing as reconstruction; the idea
Is as bad as Secession. Your Legislature |
ran away, does that destroy the State |
The Governor ran away, does that destroy /
the State They took With them the |
bank fund; but the State is here vet
The ordinary civil functions or the State
have been for time necessarily suspend.
ed, but the United States is bound to Sc
cure to us representative form of Gov
eminent. Does that look like Secession
like reconstruction The President
possesses the necessary power, and must
exercised. Officers may be appointed to
.dnlnlstert he Law, any thing may be done
to secure representative form of Govern.
ment. The rebellion being mt down
the Legislature might be convened to.
morrow.
To admit that State can be ont Of tho
Union, is virtually admitting the nr;nc;e
pie of secession. Nor can State be nm.
back to territorial condition. It's con.
trary,o the genius of our Goyerument l1
The State cannot destroy herself. nor
can the United States Government des.
troy State. When you destroy State
you destroy the Union of the States
Hold fast to your liberties under tho
Constitution. Destroy the rebellion and
4