The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-06-29
speech of ANDREW JOHNSON.

A great Union meeting was held at
Nashville, Tennessee, at which Gov. An
drew johnson was the principal speaker.
We 6nd the following report in the Nash
vile Times:
"After thanking the assembly for the
complimeRt they had bestowed upon him,
and few other preliminary remarks. Gov.
johnson proceeded to say that We are en-
gagged in a great struggle for free govern
meut 10 the proper acceptation of theterm
$50 far az the head of the ticket 10 con-
cerned, the Baltimore Convention has said,
not only to the United States, but to ali
the nations of the earth, that We are de.
teruined TO maintain and carry out the
principles of free government. Applause. }
That Convention announced and confirm
ed a principle not to be disregarded. 1t
WIS, that the right of secession and the
power of State to place itself out of the
Union. are not recognized. The Conven-
tion had declared this principle by its
action. Tennessee had been in rebellion
against the Government, and waged a
treasonable war against its authority just
as the other Southern States have done.
She had seeded just as the other States
had, aud left the Union as far as she had
the power to do so. Nevertheless. the
National Convention had declared that a
State. cannot put itself from under the
National authority. 1t said BY lis first
anmination, that the present President,
take him altogether, was now the man to
steer the chip of State for the next four
years. Loud applause.
Next, it said-it | nay be permitted
to speak of myself, not in the way of van
i;y, bat to illustrate prlnciple-'We 60
into one Of the rebeIlious states and choose
a candidate for tie Vice Presidency. :
Thus the Union party declared its belief
that the rebelliuus states are yet in the
Union, and that their loyal cltizens are
still citizeus of the United States. And
now there is bur one great work for u TO
do, that is to put down the rebellion
Our duty is to sustain the Government
and help il with all uur might, to crush
lut rebellion which is IN violation OF all
that Il right and sacred
"Gov. Johnson said he had DO impas-
stoned appeal to make to the people in
his Own behalf. He had not sought the
position assigned him by the National
Convention Not a man iB ali the land
can truthfuily say that have asked him
to use his influence in my behalf IN that
body. for the position allotted to NE or
for any other. On The Contrary have
avoided the caudidacy But while have
not sought it, still, beirg conferred upon
me uusought, l appreciated it the more
highly Being conferred upon me with
out solicitation. / shall rot decline 1t
Come veal or woe, success or defeat, sink
or swim, survive OF perish, | accept the
nomination. on priuclple, be the conse-
queDces what they may, ! will do what |
believe to be my duty. 1 know there are
those here who have contempt for me-
and |, on the other hand, feel my superi.
Oidiy W tuSH'
"ARIsioCRACY"
81 have always understood that there
is a sort of exclusive aristocracv about
Nashville which affects to despise all who
do not come within its own little circle
Let them enjoy their opinions have
heard it said that,
"'Worth makes the man, the want of it the
fellow
"This aristocracy has been the baDe of
the slave states, nor has the North been
wholly free from its curse 1t is class
which have always forced to respect n.e,
for | have ever set it at defiance. The
respect of the honest, Intelligent and In
dustrious class have endeavored to win
by my conduct as uan. One of the
chief eleuents of this rebellion is the op.
position of the slave aristocracy to being
ruled by men who have risen from the
ranks Of the people.
This aristocracy hated Mr.. Lincolu
because he was of humble origin, a rail
splitter in early lite. One of them. the
private secretary of Howell Cobb, said to
me one day after long conversation. we
people of the South will not submit TO be
governed BY man who has come up froa,
the ranks of the common people, as \ De
LiDcaln has doue. He uttered the e.
sentlal feeling and spirit of the Southern
rebellion Now it has just occurred to
NE. if this ar:stocracy is 50 violently op
posed TO being governed by Mr.. Lincoln.
what in the name of conscience will it Dc
with Lincoln and Johnson? | reject
with scorn this whole idea of an arrogant
aristocracy | believe that uan is capa.
bic Of self irrespective of ont
ward circumstances and whether he be
a laborer. shoemaker. tailor, ar gro
oor hold u,;,I IsG.,~nu H., =, ,..,,