The Portland daily press., 1864-06-20
Monday Morning, June 20, 1864.
Speech of Andrew johnson at Nash
vile.

RPUCIAL VI 1nuAOH OOnAoOA ob AN0oA-
vile.
A great Union mass meeting was held at
Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday night, at
which Governor johnson was the principal
speaker. We find the following report in the
Nashville Times:
After thanking the assembly for the compl
ment they had bestowed on him, and a lew
other preliminary remarks, Governor John
son proceeded TO say that we are eDgag-
ed 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 on
ly TO the United States, but TO all the nations
of the earth, that we are determined TO main
tain and carry out the principles OF free gov
eminent. (Applause.) That Convention an
nounced and confirmed principle not TO be
disregarded. 1t was that the right Of seces-
sion 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 a trea-
sonabe war against its authority just as other
Southern States had done. She had seeded
just rs much as other States had, and left the
Union as lar as she had the power to do so.-
Nevertheless, the National Convention had
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
Applause)
Nextit said-if may be permitted to speak
OF myself, not in the way of vanity, but to IL
lustrate principle-"We will 20 into one of
the rebelious States and choose a candidate
for the Vice Presidency Thus the Union
party declared its belief that the rebeliious
States are still in 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, thatis to put down the rebellion.
Our duty is to sustain the government and
help it with all our might to crush out a re-
bellion which is in violation OF all that is right
and sacred.
MIR. JOHNSON ON HIS OWN POSITION.
Governor johnson said he had no impasson-
ed appeal to make to the people in his own be-
half. He had not sought the position assigned
him by the National Convention. Not man
In all the land can truthfnlly say that have
asked him to use his influence in my behalf in
that body, for the position allotted to ine, or
for any other. On the contrary, have avoid
ed the candidacy. But while | have not
sought it, still, being conferred upon me un-
sought, appreciate il the more highly. Be-
ing conferred on me without solicitation L
shall not decline 10. lApplause.l Come veal
or woe, success or defeat, sink or swim, sur
vive or perish, accept the nomination, on
principle, be the consequences what they may.
/ will do what believe 10 be my duty. |
know there are those here who profess TO feel
q contempt for me, and |, on the other hand,
feel my superiority to them.
HIS OPINION OF THE "ARIsToCRACY."
have always understood that there is a
sort of exclusive aristocracy about Nashville
which affects to contemn all who are not with
In its little circle. Let them enjoy their opin-
ious, / have heard it said that
s'worth makes the man. and want of IT the fellow
This aristocracy has been the bane of the
slave States, nor has the North been wholly
free from its curse. 1t is class which have
always forced to respect to me, for have ev-
er set it at defiance. The respect of the hon
est, intelligent and industrious class / have
endeayored to win by my conduct as a man.
One Of the chief elements OF this rebellion is
the opposition of the slave aristocracy 10 be-
ing Iuled by men who have risen from the
ranks of the people.
The aristocracy hated Mr.. Lincoln because
he was OF humble origin, a raii-splitter in ear
ly life. One Of them, the private secretary OF
Howell Cobb, said TO me one day after long
conversation, 1--WE people of the South viii
not submit TO be governed by man who has
conc up from the ranks OF the common peo-
pie, as Abe Lincoln has" He uttered the es-
sential feeling and spirit OF this Southern re-
beIlion. Now it has just occurred TO me, If
this aristocracy is so violently opposed to be-
ing governed by Mr. Lincoln, what in the
name Of conscience will it do with Lincoln
and johnson? (Great laughterl | reject with
scorn this whole idea of an arrogant arstocra-
cy. j believe that man is capable OF selfgov-
ernment irrespective of his outward circum-
stances, aud whether he be a laborer, a shoe
maker, q tailor, or grocer. The question Is
whether man is capable of self lf-government. /
hold with Jefferson, that government was
made for the convenience OF man, and not
man for the government.
The laws and constitutions were designed
as instruments to promote his welfare. And
hence, from this principle. 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 APP
plause.) Now II any of your secessionsis
have lost faith In mans capability OF self gov
crnment, and feel unfit for the exercise of this
great right, go straight to rebeldom, take JEFF
Davis, Beauregard and Bragg for your mas
ters, and put their collars on your necks.
gku SLAVERY DEAD.
And here let me say that now is the time to
recur 10 these fundamental principles, while
the land is rent with anarchy, and upheayes
with the throes Of mighty revolution. While
society is in this disordered state, and we are
seeking security, let US fix the foundations 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 perpetu-
ating the institution OF slavery. Let me say
TO you, ,Tennesseeans and men from the North
ern States, that slavery is dead. 1t was not
murdered by me. / told you long ago what
the result would be II you endeayored to 60
out Of the Union TO save slavery. and that the
result would be bloodshed, rapine, devastated
fields, piundercd villages and cities; and there
fore urged you to remain in the Union.
In trying to save slavery you killed ii, aud
lost your own freedom. Your slavery is dead,
but did not murder it. As Macbeth said to
Banquo's bloody ghost;
saa Thou eAnst not say did 1t never shake
Thy gpry locks at ne, E
Slavery is dead, and yon must pardon me il
i do not mourn over its dead body: YOU can
bury 1t out of sight. In restoring the State
leave out that disturbing and dangerous ele-
ment. aud use only those parts of the ma
chinery which will move in harmony.
WHY HE BELIEVES IN EMANCIPATION
Now, in regard to emancipation, want 10
say TO the blacks that liberty means liberty to
work and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Idle.
ness Is not freedom. | desire that all mer
shall have fair and an equal chance in the
race of lie, and let him succeed who has the
most merit This, think is principle o
heaven. am for emancipation for two rea
sons: first, because 1t is right in itself, and
second, because in the emancipation o
the slaves We break down an odious ant
dangerous arist0crapV I think that w arf