Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-06-21
sreoOh Of Gov. Johneon al NaahvilIe.

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Speech of Gov. johnson at Nashville.
Union mass meeting was held at Nashville
on Friday night, at which Governor johnson was
the principal speaker. We find the following
report in the Nashville Times;
The appearance of Governor johnson on the
steps of tho st. Cloud Hotel was greeted by the
vast crowd with loud applause. All were anx-
ious to hear and see the next Vice President of
the United States
After thanking the assembly for the compli-
ment theylhad bestowed on him, and a few other
preliminary remarks, Governor johnson pro-
ceeded to say that we are engaged in great
struggle for free government In the proper ae-
ceptallon of the term.
So far as the head of the ticket is concerned,
the Baltimore Convention has said, not only to
the United States, but 10 all the nations of the
earth, that we are determined to maintain and
carry out the principles Of free government
lApplause. That Convention announced and
confirmed principle not to be disregarded. 1t
was that the right of secession, and the. power
Of State to place itself out of the Union, are
not recognized. The Convention had declared
this principle by its action. Tennessee had
been in rebellion against the Government, and
waged reasonable war against its authority
just as other Southern States had DONE She
had seeded just as much as other States had,
and left the Uuion as far as she had the power
to do SO. Nevertheless, the National Conven-
tion had declared that State cannot put itself
from under the national authority. 1t said by
its first nomination that the present President,
take him altogether, was the man to steer the
ship Of State for the next four years Loud ap-
plause1 Next it said-it may be permitted
TO speak of myself, not in the way of vanity, but
to illustrate a principle-"We will 60 into one
of the rebellious States and choose a-candidate
| for the Vice Presidency" Thus the Union party
declared its belief that the rebelious States are
still i'll the Union, and that their loyal citizens
are still citizens OF the United States. And now
there is but one great work for us TO do, that is
to put down the rebellion. Our duty is to sus-
tain the Government and help it with oil our
might to crush out q rebellion which is in viola
| tion Of all that is right and sacred.
Governor johnson said he had no impassionet
appeal to make 10 the people in his own behalf
He had not sought the position assigned him b,
the National Convention. Not a man in all tn
land can truihfuly say that have asked him b
uae his influence in my behalf in that body, fo
the position allotted to me, or for any other Vi
the contrary, / have avoided the candidacy
But while have not sought it, still being con
ferred upon me uusought, l appreciate it th
more highly Being conferred on me withou
solicitation, shall not decline it. Applause.
Come veal or woe, SUCCESS or defeat, sink o
swim, survive or perish, raccept the nomination
on principle, be the consequences what the,
may. | will do what believe TO be my duty
know there are those here who profess to fee
q contempt for me, and |, on the other hand
feel my superiority to them. have alwdy
understood that there is q sort Of exclusive nris
tocraey about Nashville which affects to content
all Rho are not within its little circle. Let ther
enjoy their opinions. have heard ii said thai
.sworth makes the man, and want Of it the fellow"
This arstocracy has been the bane of th
slave States, nor has the North been wholly FIRE
from its curse. Itis a class which have alway
forced to respect me, for have ever set 1t a
defiance. The respect of tho honest intelligeT
and industrious class have endeavored to wi
by my conduct as a man. One Of the chief ele
ments of this rebellion is the opposition of IL
slave aristocraoy to being ruled by men VII
have risen from the ranks of the people. Th
aristocracy hated MIR. Lincoln, because he Wa
of humble origin, rail-splitter in early life
One Of them, the private secretary OF Howe
Cobb, said to me one day, after long conversi
ton, awe people of the South will not submit
be governed by man who has come up fro
the ranks Of the common people, as Abe Ltncol
! has" He uttered the essential feeling an
spirit of this Southern rebellion. Now, it hi
Just occurred to me, if this aristocracy is 80 VII
I
what in the name Of conscience will it do wi
, Lincoln and johnson? TGreat laughter
reject with scorn this whole idea Of an arroga
; aristocracy. believe that man is capable
self.povernmeut, irrespective of his outward CT
cumstances, and whether he be q laborer,
shoemaker, tailor, or grocer. The questi
is whether. man is capable of selfgoyernment''
hold with Jefferson, that government was ma
for the convenience Of man, and not man for I
MI. -. ..,1 rNaatl lnnd VI n
designed as mere instruments to promote
welfare. And hence, from this principle, 90
cude that governments can and ought to
changed and amended to conform to the wan
d / to the requirements and progress of the peop
9 and the enlightened spirit of the age. 10
10 applause. Now, il any of your Secesslonl
i. have lost tAth in mans capability Of selt-goVe
+ kent, and feel unfit for the exercise Of this Rr
il right 20 straight to rebeldom, take Jeh Da'
Beauregard, and Bragg for your mas'ers' {
- put their collars on your neeks.
4 And here let me soy that now is the time
recur TO these fundamental principles, while
land is rent with anarchy and upheaves with
throes of q mighty revelation. While societ.
in this disordered state, and we are seeking
lb | curily let us fix the foundations of the Cove
ment on principles of eternal justice which
hS ma endure for all time. There is an element in
midst who are for perpetuatiDg the instiu
MT Of slavery. Let me say to you, Iennesseeans
'n' men from the Northern States, that SLAYER
dead It was not murdered by me. told
cen long ago what the result would be if you
,oa dcavored to 60 out of the Union to save slav
and thaisl1he result would be bloodshed, rap
devastated fields, plundered villages, and Gil
and aud therefore l urged you TO remain In
ate Union. In trying to save slavery you kills
eest and lost your own freedom Your slave
nsir dead, but did not murder it. As Macbeth
10 Dapquo's bloody ghost,
..,, Never shake Thy CORY losks at me-
'p' Thou canst no. say did it.
Slavery is dead, and you must pardon N
do not mourn over its dead body; you can
il out Of sight In restoring the State, leav
~ that disturbing and dangerous element, an
= only those parts of the machinery whicl
move in harmony.
M Now, in regard to emancipation, want I
~. ~, TO the blacks that liberty meaus liberty to
anS and enjoy the fruits of your labor Idlen
aa and not freedom. | desire that oil men shall
fair start and an equal chance 10 the race o
and let him succeed who has the most me
This, think, is principle Of heaven
to be emancipation for two reasons first oeeause
which right in itself and second, because IN inc eh
'iAS 0' patton Of the slaves, we break Gown IN