The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1864-06-21

The Country. cr.... and il. Ds...as.

'd The Csuntry's Crisis and Its Demands
The telegraph advised us of a mass
ratification meeting, held at Nashville,
on Friday evening last The Vice
Presidential nominee, Governor JoHN-
SON, was the principal speaker. The
following summary Of his speech is re-
ported in the Nashville Times. 1t was
delive ed to a large assemblage, and
amid frequent outbursts of rapturous
applause; ~ i.P a,.'aia.s3 ~ g.
After few preliminary remarks,
Governor Johnson proceeded to say
that we are engaged in a great struggle
for free government in the proper ac-
ceptation of the term 4, ,s. =, ,.,..
SO far as the head of the ticket is con-
cerned the Baltimore Convention has
said, not only to the United States, but
to all the nations on the earth, that we
are determined to maintain aud carry
ont the principles of free Government.
That Convention announced and con-
tirmed a principle not to be disregard
ed. 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 prin-
ciple. by its action. Tennessee had
been in rebellion against the Govern
ment, and waged a reasonable wer
againstits authority just as other South
ern States had done. She had seced-
ed just as much as other States had, and
left the Union as far as she had the
power to do so. Nevertheless the Ma
tional Convention had declared that a
State cannot put itself from under the
national authority. 1t is said by its
first nomination, that the present Presi-
dent take him altogether, was the man
to steer the ship of State for the next
four years. N. xt it said-if / may be
permitted to speak of myself, not in the
way of vanity, but to illustrate 4 prin.
ciple-"We will go into one of the re.
belious States and choose candidate
for the Vice Presidency" Thus the
! Union party declared its belief that tht
! ysbsllioats States are sGL in the Union,
md their ioyol citisens. are still c;t;zens o,
the United States And now there il
but one great work for us to do, that is
to put down the rebellion. Our du
ty is to sustain the Government and
help it with all our might to crush out
a rebellion which is in violation of al
that is right and sacred.
Governor Johnson said he had no i'm
passioned appeal to the people in hi,
own behalf He had not sought the
position assigned to him by the Nation
al Convention. Not man in all the
land can truthfnlly say that / have ask
ed him to use his influence in my be.
half in that body, for the position al
lotted to me, or for any other. On the
contrary / have avoided the candidacy
But while have not sought it, still be
ing conferred on me unsought, Iappre
ciate it more highly. Being conferred
on me aoithom solicitation. I shall not de
cline IL. Come weol or wos sureess o,
de'eaf, sink or sw'n,, survive or perish
c.pt the nomination, on principle, BE- til,
conssque' cts what Msy may. / will dc
what / believe to be nay duty. know
there are those here who profess to fee
a contempt for me, and on the Other
hand, feel my superiority to them
l have always understood thai
there is a sort of exclusive aristocracy
about Nashville which affects to con
denim all who are not within its little
circle. Let them enjoy their opinions
/ have heard said that,
worth makes the man, and want Of it the fcl
low"
This aristocracy has been the bant
of the slave States, nor has the Nortl
been wholly free from its curse. 1t i,
class which have always forced t.
respect me, for have ever set it at de
fiance. The respect of the honest, in
telligent and industrious class have en-
deavored to win by my conduct as ,
man. One of the chief elements Of thi,
rebellion is the opposition of the slave
aristocracy to being ruled by men whc
have risen from the ranks of the people
This aristocracy hated Mr.. Lincoln be
cause he was of humble origin, a rail
splitter in early life. One Of them tn,
private Secretary of Howell Cobb, sale
TO me one day, after a long converse
ton, "We people of the South will no
submit to be governed by man wht
has come up from the ranks of common
people, as Abe Lincoln has," He utter
ed the essential feeling and spirit ofthi
rebellion. Now it has just occurred t.
me, if this aristocracy is so violently op
posed to be governed by Mr.. Lincoln
what in the name of common sense will
it do with Lincoln and Johnson? / re
ject with scorn this whole idea of an ar
rogant aristocracy. ! believe that MAJ
is capable Of self government, irrespec
tive of his outward circumstances, ant
whether he be laborer, shoemaker
or grocer. The question is whethe
man is capable of self government.
hold with Jefferson that Governmen
was made for the convenience Of
and not man for Government. Tha
laws and constitutions were designe,
as instruments for his welfare. Ant
hence, from this principle I conclud
that governments can aud ought TO b.
changed and amended to conform th'
wants,to the requirements and progress
Of the people, and the enlightened spir
it of the age. Now ifany of your sc
cessionists have lost faith in mans ca
pability Of self government, and feel un
fit for the exercise of this great right
go straight to rebeldom, take JEFF. Da
Wis, Beauregard for your masters, an,