The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-06-30


Hs accepts the Union Nomination for Vice
= Prssident- Bis Position on Slavery and
the Rebellion. tass g r,si 4r.
s. A great Union mass meeting was held at
Nashville, Tennessse, on Friday night; at
which Gov. johnson Was the principal speak
er. The following report of his speech is
from the Nashville Times. iias ~ fssaa
After thanking the assembly for the com.
pliment they had bestowed on him, and !
few other preliminary remarks, Gov. John.
aon proceeded to say that we are engaged
IN great struggle for free Government in
the proper acceptation of the term.
So far as the head Of the ticket is concern
ed, the Baltimore Convention has said, not
only to the United States, but to all the na.
tions Of the earth, that we are determined
to maintain and carry out the principles Of
free government. [Applause.l That Con-
vention announced and confirmed princi-
pie not to be disregarded. It was that the
right of secession and the power of State
to place itself out Of the Union. are not re.
cognized. The Convention had declared
this principle by it's action. Tennessee had
been in rebellion aagainst the Government,
and waged . treasonable war against its gu.
thority just as other Southern States had
done. She had seeded just IS much as
other States had. and left the Union as far
IS she had the power to do so. Nevertheless.
the National Convention had declared that
. State cannot put itself from under the na-
honal authority. It said by it's first nom.
ination, that the present President, take him
altogether, was the u,an to steer the ship of
State for the next four years. Loud ap-
plause. .-e.1. ..ts..t,
Next it said-ifI may be permitted to
speak of myself, not in the way Of vanity,
but to illustrate principle-""We will 20
into one of the Rebellious States and choose
candidate for the Vice Presidency" Thus
the Union party declared its belief that the
rebcllious States are still in the Uu'op. and
that their loyal citizens arc still citizens Of
the United States And nov there is but
one great work for US to do, that is to put
down the rebellion. Our duty is to sustain
the Government and help It with all our
might TO crush out rebellion which is in
violation Of all thatiis right and sacred
Gov. Johnson said he had no impassioned
appeal to make to the people in his own be-
half. He had not sought the position as
signed him by the Naticna. Conyentiou.--
Not man in all the land can truthfully say
that have asked him to use his influence
in my behalf in that body, for the position
allotted to me, or for any other. On the
contrary, have avoided the candidacy.-
But while I have not sought it, still. being
conferred upon me unsought. 7 appreciate
it the more highly. Being conferred on me
without solicitation shau not decline it.
{ (Appiause.) Come veal or woe, success or
defeat, sink or swim. survive or perish. I
accept the nomination, on principle, be the
consequences what they may. I win do
what believe to be my duty. know there
are those here who profess to feel con.
tempt for me. and 7 on the other hand, feel
my superiority to them. ~, n, s7zg- 44g
: / have always understood that there is
sort Of exclusive aristocracy about Nashville
which affects to contemn all who are not
within its little circle. Let them enjoy their
opinions. l have heard it said that
Worth mates the man, and ,oant Of It the
.tsllow"' 4 IS
This aristocracy has been the bane of the
Slave States; nor has the North been wholly
free from its curse tits . class which I
have always forced to respect me. for have
ever set it At defiance. il The respect of the
honest. in 7elligent. and industrious CLASS
have endeavored to windy my conduct as a
man. One pfthe chief elepsents OF this Re-
beilion is the opposition Of the siaye aristo-
cracy to being ruled BY men who have risen
from the ranks Of the people. rs nsq
This aristocracy hated Mr.. Lincoln be.
canse he was Of humble origins raiLsplitter
in early life, One Of f.them, the private Sec
retafy Of Howell Cobb, said to me one day
after a long Qoaversation. "We people Oft the
South will not submit to be governed by
man uho has come up from the ranks Of the
common people, as Abe Lincoln has" He
uttered the essential feeling and spirit of
this Southern Rebellion Now il has occur
red to pe, if this arstocracy is so violent
ly opposed to being governed by Mr.. Lin
coin, what 10 the psme of conscience will it
do with Lincoln and johnson {Great
laughter.) Ireject with soofnv this whole
idea of an arrogant aristocracy., believe
that man is capable Of self government, ire.
spective Of his ou,wa I'd circumstances; and
whether he be labsrer, . shoemaker, a
The question is whether man is capable
Of selEgovernment. hold With Jefferson,
that goyerpmept was made for the conve.
nienos Of man, and not man for government.
The laws and constitutions were designed
as instruments to, promote his welfare. And
hence, from this principle. I coaelaqe thst
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. cloud
applanse.) Now il any Of your Secession
lists have lost faith in mems capability Of
elf-governmsnt. and feel unit for the exer-
else of this great right, 60 straight to Rebel
dom. take JET. Davis, Beaureeard and Bragg