The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-05-04


agitated and excited upon this question:
When they undertook the discussion of a
question so important as the one now present.
ed to the house and country, it should be in
spirit OF calm deliberations; and they should
conelder we'll the consequences that are to
follow from the action that is to be taken by
this house upon it,
He knew that since its discussion had COM
menced they had heard much of wars and ru-
mors OF wars, and thai the passions and feel.
ings OF the country had been addressed to
very great extent So far as he was copcer-
ed. if he knew the feelings of his own bosom
he was for peace, if peace could be con-
tinued on honorable terms but if, ia adopt
ing the terms which we believe best ealcu.
lated to secure peace. war was to be the re.
suit. he was prepared for the consequences.
No member of this committee desired peace
more earnestly than he did. Yes, in the LAM
guage of high authority, he desired the day
speedily to come when we shall have peace
on earth and good will among men" through
out the entire race. He wished he could
hope that the beginning of that glorious era
would commence in his day and generation.
If he could believe there was a reasonable
prospect of it, he would now be found on tip
toe as it were.stretching his ken to its utmost
tension to discover the streaks of the dawn of
tudt RloElOuS Dut, dS ar
IDENTIFY as he desired peace to his country, he
must take that view of the subject, and that
stand upon the question under consideration,
that he believed his position and the rights
and interests. and the honor of his country
demanded.
Mr.. JOHNSON ON SECESSION.
On addressing the United States senate,
Dec, 10Th, 1860, relative to the then secession
movement, Mr.. johnson said:
"MR. PREsIDENr-I have merely called at
tention to these surface indications foi the
purpose of sustaining the assumption that
even the people of the southern states ought
to consider what kind of government they are
going to pass under before they change the
present one. We are told that the present
constitution would be adopted by the new
contederacy; and in a short time everything
would be organized under it. We find here
other indications, and we are told from anoth.
er quarter that another government Is more
preferable. We know that, north and south,
there is portion of our fellowcitizens who are
opposed to government based upon the intelli-
gence and will of the people, We know that
| power is already stealing from the many 10
the few. We know that it is always vigilsnt
and on the alert ); and now inst are in a
revolution and great changes are to b. made,
\ suOuiu We DOt, db seQtlDelS, as men
who are made the guardians of the interests
I of the government, look at these indications
and call the attention Of the country of them?
| Is it not better to
Bear the Ills we have,
! Than fly TO others that VIC know not Of"
1--WE see by these indications that it is con.
tenplated to establish a monarchy. We see
il announced that this government has been
! m fai Inra from, tho haoinnip,y Hnu has =,
been tailure2 Now, In the midst of revo-
lutiOn, while the people are confused, while
chaos reigns, 1t is supposed by some that we
can be induced tn return to constitutions
or absolute monarchy. Who can tell that we
/ may not have some Louis Napolean among
US who may be ready to make coup d. etdt
and enthrone himself upon the rights and
liberties of the people? Who can tell what
government may grow up? Hence the i'm
portance in advance of considering maturely
and deliberately before we give up the old
one.
! | repeat again that the people of Tennes.
see will never pass under another government
! that is less repu blicsn. less democratic IN all
| it's bearings, than the one under which we now
live. care not whether il is formed in the
north or In the south. We will occupy an
isolated, u separate, and distinct position be
fore we will do it. We will pass into that
fractional condition TO which l have alluded
before we will pass under an absolute or con
stitutional monarchy. do not say this is
the design north or south, or perhaps of any
but very small portion; but i shows that
there are some who, if they could find a ia
vorabIe opportunity, would fix the
description Of the government have al.
luded TO on the great mass of the eople -
/ Sir, will stand bv the constitution Of the
country as it is. and by all its guarantees.
am not for breaking up this great conft dera
cy; | am for holding on to it as il is, with
I the ode and manner pointed out in the in.
strument for its own amendment. 1t was
good enough for Washington, for Adams, for
jefferson and for jackson. Ii is good enough
for US. | intend TO stand by it, aud to insist
on u compliance with all its guarantees, north
and south.
! Notwithstanding we want to occupy the
position of breakwater between the north
| ern and southern extremes, aud bring all to.
gether if we can, l tell our northern friends
that the constitutional guarantees must he
| carried out We want, if we can,
to stay the hatred, rash, and preci pitatate &C.
ton of some of our southern friends, that in.
dIcates red hot madness. | intend to stand
| by the constitution as it is, the sheet anch-
or of the government, and l trust and hope
that it will be preserved. and will remain q
beacon to guide, and an example to be imitat.
ed by all the nations of the earth"
ACHARxING YOUNG NEGRO.
In reply to Mr.. Palfry. of Massachusetts,,
who, on the llth Of April, lS4S, stated in the
house of representatives, that he had known
something OF q charming boy Ia charmiu 2
young nesro), whom God in his providence
had seen fit to take away, Mr.. johnson de-
sired to interpose one question. The gentle.
man Mr.. p had told that if the ''charmp o
young black had not been called hence, he