The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1865-05-03

DO good IN perpetulty, and you can take
hold Of it, not to break up the Govern
ment, but to go on pertscting it more
and MORE as it runs down the stream Of
time. ...
1t provides that the United States,
that is, the great integer, shall guarantee
to each Of the State integers composing
the whole in this Union, a republican
form Of Government. Yes, if the rebel.
lion has been rampant and set aside the
machinery of State for time, there
stands the great law to remove the par.
alysis and revitalize and put it on its
fee. again. Upon this idea of destroy.
ing States my position has been hereto.
fore well known, and I see no cause to
change it now. Some are satisfied with
the idea that the Statos are to be lost in
territorial and other divisions; arc to
lose the character as States, but their
life breath has been only suspended, and
it is a high constitutional obligation we
have to secure each Of these States in the
possession and enjoyment Of Republi.
can Government. A State may be in
the Government With peculiar institu.
ton, and by the operation Of rebellion
lose that feature, but it was State when
it went into rebellion, and when it
comes out without the institution it is
still State. ! hold it as q solemn obi.
CATION in any one Of these States where
the rebel armies have been beaten back
aud expelled, q care not how small may
be the number of Union men, that
there ure enough to man the ship Of
State.
I say it is high duty to protect and
secure to them republican form Of gov
ernmcht, and then in an adjusting and
putting the Government upon its legs
again, l think in tho progress Of this
work it must pass into the hands Of its
friends. If State is to be nursed uni
it again gets strength, it must be nursed
by its friends, not smothered By its en-.
emies. Perhaps ought not to add what
Lam about to say, but human nature is
human nature. Indiana first named Inc
for Vice President, though it was unso.
licitcd by me. Indeed there is not q
man can say that | ever approached him
on the subject. My eyes were turned to
my own State. IF I could restore her
the measure Of MY ambition was COM
ple,c. / thank the State Of Indiana for
the confidence and regard manifested
toward me, which has resulted in what is
now upon me, in placing ME in the posi-
ton | now occupy.
In conclusion, I will repeat that the
vigor Of my youth has been spent in nd
vocating those great principles at the
foundation Of our Government, and
therefore l have been by many de
nounced as a demagoguc striving t
please the people. ain free to say t.
you that my highest ambition was tt
please the people, for 1 believed when
pleased them | was nearly right, and be
ing in the right | did not care who as
sailed me. But was going to say thai
have advocated the principle that the
Government was made for man, not man
for the Government. Even the good
Book says the Sabbath was made for
man, not man for the Sabbath. So fur
as in me lies those principles shall be
Carried out. In conclusion, I tender
you my profound and sincers thanks for
your rcspcc. und support in the perform.
,ncn of the arduous duties dcyolyed up.
on me.