The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-06-24

como up from the ranks Of the common people.
as Abe Lincoln has," He uttered the essential
feeling and spirit Of this Southern Rebellion.
Now It has just occurred to me. " this aristocra
oy Is so violently opposed to being governed by
Mr.. Lincoln, what In the name Of conscience
will It do with Lincoln and Johnsoni tGreat
laughter.1 Irejcct with scoru this whole idea
OF arrogant aristocraey. believe that man Is
capable Of selfgovernment, irrespective Of his
outward circumstances; and whether he be .
laborer, shoe. maker, tailor, . grocer.
The question Is whether man 10 capable Of
self government. I hold with Jefferson that
government was made for the convenience Of
man, aud not man for government. The laws
and constitutions were designed as instruments
to promote his welfare. Aud hence, from this
principle. I conclude that governments can and
ought to be changed and amended to conform
to the wants, to the requirements and progress
of the people. and the enlightened spirit Of the
age. loud applause.] Now II any OF your
Secessionists have lost faith In mans capability
Of self.government, and feel un6t for the exer-
else Of this great right, 60 straight to Rebel
dom, take JEFF. Davis, Beauregard and Bragg
for your masters, and put their collars on your
necks.
And here let mo say that now Is the time to
recur to these fundamental principles. while the
land is rent with anarchy and upheaves with
the throes Of mighty revolution. While so.
ciety Is in this disordered state. and we are
seeking security, let US 6x the foundation of
the Government on principles Of eternal JUS
tice which will endure for all time There Is an
element In our midst who are for perpetuating
the institution Of Slavery. Let me say to you,
Tennesseeans and men from the Northern States,
that Slavery Is dead. It was not murdered by
me. told you long ago what the result would
be II you endeavored to 60 out Of the Union to
save Slavery. and that the result would be
boodshed, rapine. devastated fields, plundered
villages and cities; and therefore urged you
to remain In the Union. In trying to save
Slavery you killed 1t. and lost your own free
dom. Your Slavery Is dead. but did not MUIR
der It. As Macbeth said to Banquo's bloody
ghost,
"Nevsr shake thy cory locks at me
Thou canst not say did It."
Slavery Is dead. and you must pardon me II
do not mourn over Its dead body; you can
bury It out Of sight In restoring the State
leave out the disturbing and dangerous element,
and use only those parts Of the machinery
which will move in harmony.
Now, In regard to emancipation, want to
say to tho blacks that liberty means liberty to
work and enjoy the fruits Of our labor. Idle
ness is not freedom. desire chat oil men shall
have fair start aud m equal chance In the
race of life, and let him succeed who has the
most merit. This, think, Is principle Of
heaven. am for emancipation for two reas-
ons: first, because It Is right in itself, and
second, because in the emancipation OF tho
slaves we break down on odious aud dangerous
aristocracy. think that We are freeing more
whites than blacks In Tennessee.
want to sec slavery broken up, and when Its
barriers are thrown down, want to see indus
trious, thrifty emigrants pouring ip from oil
parts Of the country. Come on I! We need
your labor, your skill. your capital We want
your enterprise and invention, so that hereafter
Teunesste may rank with New England In the
arts and mechanics. and that when We visit the
Patent Office at Washington, where the inge-
nious mechanics of the Free States have placed
their models, We need not blush that Tennessee
can show nothing but mouse trap, or some
thing Of about As much Importance. Come on
We greet you with hearty welcome to the soil
Of Tennessee. Here Is soil the most fertie IN
every agricultural product delightful and
healthy climate, forests, water power. and
mines Of inexhaustibls richness como and help
US redeem Tennessee. and make her . powerful
and aourishing State.
But In calling convention to restore the
State, who shall restore and re.establish II!
Shall the man who gave his influence and HE
means to destroy the Government! Is he to
participate in the great work Of reorganiza.
tioni Shall he who brought this misery upon
the State be permitted to control Its destin'es !
II this be 90. then all this precious blood OF our
brave soldiers and officers, so freely poured out,
will have beon wantonly spilled. All the glo-
rious victories won by our noble armies will 60
for naught, and all the battlehelds which have
been sown with dead heroes during the rebellion
will have been made memorable In vain.
Why all this carnage and devastation II
vas that treason might DO put down and trail.
tors punished. Therefore I say that traitors
should take back seat In the work Of restora.
ton. II there be but Eve thousand men in Ten.
nessec loyal to the Constitution, loyal to free
dom, loyal to justice, those true and faithful
men should control the work Of reorganization
aud reformation absolutely. loud and pro.
lougsd applsuse.l Issy that the traitor has
ceased to be citizen, and In joining the rebel
lion, has become public enemy. He forfeited
his right to vote with loyal men when ho re-
nouncsd his citi.enship and sought to destroy
our Government. t-sol
We say 10 the most honest and industrious
foreigner. who comes from England or Ger
many to dwell a1oug us. and to add to the
wealth Of the country, "Beiore you can be Q
citizen. you must stay here for dve years" II
we arc 70 cautious about foreigners. who vol.
UNFAIRLY rsnouncs their homes to live with US.
what should wesay to the traitor. who, although |
born and reared among rs, has raised p.rri-
cidal hand against the Government which al. |
ways protected him! My judgment 10 that hs
should be subjected 70 severe ordeal before he |
Is restored TO citizenship. fellow who takes