Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-01-16
Gov. johnson on Slavery Secession
and State Suicide.

GOv. Johnson on StaNeFy 6cCcSSiOn
and State Suicide.
Governor johnson, in his Eulogy on
General Jackson, on the night of the Sth |
of January, took occasion to discuss the
political issues of the day, and it is need
less to add that he did so with ability, and
that his positions were both correct and
ably maintained His declaration that
institutions must never be allowed to
rise above the Government, which was
the organ of the popular WILL was re
ceived with loud applause, aud should be
made political maxim forever When
ever any institution, based upon capital,
attempts to overthrow the republican ba-
sis upon which our liberties rest, the
time has arrived when its abolition is a
necessity-no matter what may be its
political character, or how long it may
have existed.
The truth of the following will be rec
ognized by all:
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 slavery aristoeracy Now.
thank God, the time has come when tie
press is unmuzzled, 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 quarter of dollar doz-
en-. Laughter Being dead, let us, in
a becoming manner, prepare for the
funeral obsequies.
With reference to Estate suicide" he
very justly remarks:
Go back to the Articles of Confedera.
ton, which were designed to secure a
perpetual union of the States, the Con-
stitution was framed to secure a more
perfect union. In it provision is made
for its own amendment, for the ad,nis
sion of new States, for everything, but
secession. No where is there found
provision for letting State out 1t pro-
vides means to repel invasion and sup
press insurrection; 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 indie
structible, 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, its twin brotherl We are parts of
a great whole, working at present some
what inharmoniously, but as soon as the
Government puts down the rebellion,
and the machinery be again put in run
ming order, leaving out whatever may
have prevented its running smoothly,
the State will stand firm Some of her
Institutions may be rubbed out bat the
State stands She is, and will continue
to be, a State whether with or without
Slavery, and the Government will go on.
| admit no such thing as reconstruction;
the idea is as bad as secession. Your
Legislature ran away; does that DESTROY
the State2 The Governor ran away;
does that destroy the State? They took
with them the bank funds and the school
fund but the State is here vet. The
ordinary civil functions of the State have
been for time necessarily suspended
but the United States is bound to secure
to Us a representative form of Govern
ment. Does that look Ike secession
like reconstruction The President pos
sesses the necessary power, and must ex-
ercise it. Officers may be appointed to
administer the law, any thing may be
done, to secure representative form of
Government. The rebellion being put
down, the Legislature might be convened
tomorrow. To admit that State can
be out of the Union, is virtually admit
! ting the principle of secession. Nor can
, a State be put back to a territorial con-
, dition. 1t is contrary to the genius OF
, our Government The State cannot de-
stroy herself, nor can the United States
Government destroy State. When
!, you destroy a State you destroy the
Union of the States. Hold fast to your
liberties under the constitution De-
stroy the rebellion, and let slavery 90
: with it. Cheers. Were it possible to
!, destroy State, | would almost be will.
/. ing to see South Carolina DESTROYED
but | will not depart from my theory,
from the truth, and will not have even
her destroyed. The Union and the Con-
, stitution must be preserved intact.