New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-05-22

pected circumstances admitting it.
zAird President johnson goes to bed on the ugh' OF
The assassination at the unusual hour for Washington
nine O'Clock and is asleep Of course, when an anxious
gentleman leaves the side Of the dying President 10 III
form the new incumbent Of bis great good fortune
which filed him will unutterable distress.
Now MARI Inc I do not say that all TINS cfeates
suspicion In my mind Of the completely OF fresident
johnson in the foul work upon iTesideh' Lincoln bu'
This do say that If sueh ciroun stances could be so
,ue taken against the P,n b. c. Harris Of Maryland,
h3eu. Wood OF New-York. or M Nalandigharn OF
Ohio they would have been received in the Bureau of
military Justice as testimony as strong proofs
from Holy Writ These facts may possibly suggest to
president johnson and those who their official po
ston and personal Consequence TO the breath of his
sostrs good and sufficient reason why the excited
public mind of the people OF the United States which
has been lashed into fury by well concerted manipula
fo.s and now demands victim, should believe that
there evidence IN the Bureau Of Military Justice
70 convict Southern men" Rebels and traitors
having "incted, concerted and procured the assass
nation Of President lincoln But. at all events these
facts ought to teach President johnson lesson OF mod
srson and charity TO all those suspected ieei conn
dent no fact susceptible Of being tortured by the
shrewdest ingenuity into coloring so unis' cradle can
he shown in truth against President Davis or myself
nor. do believe against any one Of the gentlemen
named IN the Proclamation.
Again ain denounced as traitor and rebel in this
PROCLAMATION Let The world Judge between President
johnson and myself not according 10 the law Of night
but according to the rules Of riSh.
For four years prior 10 the secession Of Mississippi
was absent from the State engaged in the service of
the United States. had control and could exert no
Influence over the political action of the State Pres
dent Johnson Oh the contrary had been an the mean
time in the service Of the State OF Tennessee. while
her chief magistrate and then representative Of her
sovereignty in the Senate Of the United States body
" which all the States are sovereign and equal IRE
spectye of strength and population Prior TO the war
between the States we both had been Democrats and
belonged to the party In our Creed the Virginia
and Kentucky resolutions Of $3.50 set forth the doc
frne Of State Rights The Democratic party for sixty
years. with only temporary departures. had held 10
sheir cardinal principles as initiated by Jefferson
and Madison, who Lad become the great apostles
O. the party. BY them, We learn that the Constitu-
sion Of the United States IS compact between
sovereign States each State acting for itself and
D. an integral party. The powers granted were merely
delegated powers, be exercised by common agency
Ioi the comon welfare To avoid future misunderstood
digs three of the States in their articles o. ratification
expressly reserved the right the powers dele
Csted whenever they believed they we're not used for
aheir advantage On the subject Of treason tie United
States could declare treason, except the making
war upon the United States and the giving aid and
comfort to the enemy. Each State, however being
sovereign and having larger scope Of powers could
declare almost any oct treason refusal 10 bear arms
sn her defense to return home when required to do 50
60 bring into the treasury proportion of the
property required of each eitizer. We both North
Carolinians. When she refused TO rsiify the Federal
Constitution we remained North Caronisns owed our
allegiance TO the State and were bound to obey her
orders BY her act Of ratification afterward. she made
ns citizens OF the United States. In consequence
of her act and in obedience TO her order. we
both were bound to obey the constitutional laws
and regulations Of the United States and either OF ne
Aad beck guilty of resisting the law with armed
torce would have been guilty OF treason because
I'VE acted individuals orr own responsibility and
ly mere motion, and tie laws Of the United |
States operated directly individuals and individuals
only. But on the contrary, /: North Carolina acting
In her sovereign capacity, resumed her delegated
Powers for any cause and then ordered Us 70 tste
arms In her deeIse obedience 70 her order might be
construed possibly upon the United States but
We would not be guilty Of treason as individuals, |
Because would have had voltiOn. Cur act would
b the act oftheStste and, there any guilt the
State would be guilty Of treason and that is manifest
absurdiy. there is 10 legal Eode o; furnishing
Hiate. And have institutions been so miserably
constructed place the citizen in position which
forces him be guilty Of the highest crime known TO
Abe law without any yolition OF his own when obed
eace 10 the order Of ono Government makes him guilty
OF treason 10 another
Wien Mississippi. seeded felt il 10 be my duty TO
5eaye the service of theUnt- States return home and
subject myself 10 the orders Of my State; for the sacred
Cause OF State Rights and State Sovereignty the doc
trine Of the fathers willing stake my life. my
fortune and all my hopes Nh johnson thought it bis
duty when Tennessee seeded hold TO hIs place.
10 set at nought the action Of his State which
had SO often honored Lim and to place himself under
tie protection Of the United States. He took sides
With power; took sides with weakness Our motives
ere known only to the living God but claim to have
been honest seisacrcing, and patriotic IN the course
Ipursucd and leave 10 postefity 10 decide whether
power has been given earth TO make wrong right !
The fortune Of cannot change principle although
II may revolutionize government
cannot but think this Proclamation not il.
tended for me, but 10 furnish excuse 70 deal
hardly with President jefferson DAVIS If arrested
A purer patriot more conscientious Christian and
more honorable gentleman than he never lived IN any
age or country AL be has done has been in obedience
70 be behests OF the Sovereign States composing the
Confederacy He leaves If the power and cruelty OF
ais enemies make it necessary for him to leave with
.e nroud consciousness Of having Doby done his whole
More true 10y MArcellus exiied feels.
Than CasAr with Senate a. his heels
The s.a,.s were once considered soyereignties, and
as such challenged our respect and obedience Now
oh guffe Is