Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-02-23

holy religion
came into power under the Constitution of
the country, and with the appreciation of the
people, and what did find L found eight
milfon OF people who were con victed, con-
demned under the law, and the penalty was
death; and through revenge and resentment
We're they all to be annihilated! Oh! may L
MOI exclalm, how different would this be from
tue example set by the Founder of our holy re-
hRlon' whose divine arch rest Its cxtremities
on Inc horizon, while it's span embraces the
universe! Yes, He that founded this great
scheme came into the world and SAW men con-
demned nnder the law, and the sentence was
death. What was His eXamplel Instead of
putting the world or a nation to death, He
went forth on the cross and testified with His
wounds that He would die and let the world
i've Let them repent: let them acknowl
their rashnesS; let them become loyal and let
tbem be supporters of cur glorious stripes and
stars, and the Constitution of our country. /
say let the leaders, the conscious, intelligent
traitors, meet the penalties OF the law But as
for the great mass who have been forced into
The rebellion-misled in other instances-let
there be clemency and kindness, and trust
and a confidence in them. But, my country
men, after having passed through this rebel
lion, and having given as much evidence of en-
nifty TO ii as some who croak great deal about
the mRtter-Tcheers when l look back over
the hattle-f field and see many of those brave
men in whose company l was, in localities of
the rebellion where the contest was most diff
cult and doubtful and who vet We're patient:
when look back over these fields, and where
the smoke has scarcely passed away; where the
blood that has been shed has scarcely been alb
sOrbed-before their bodies have passed through
the stages of decomposition-what do find
The rebellion is put down by the strong arm of
the Government, in the field. But this is the
only way in which we can have rebellions
This was n struggle against change and a reyo-
luton OF the Government, and before we fully
get from the tle-felds-when our brave men
have scarcely returned to their homes and re-
newed the ties of affection and love to
their wives and their children-we are now
almost inaugurated into another rebellion.
lChCersI One rebellion was the effort of
States to secede, and the war on the part of
the Government was to prevent them from ac-
complishing that, and thereby changing the
character of our Government and weakening
Its power. When the Government has sue
ceeded there is an attempt now te concentrate
all power in the hands of few at the Federal
head, and thereby bring about consolidation
of the Republic which is equally Objectionable
power assumed and attempted to be exercised
OF a most extraordinary character. We see
now that governments can be revolutionized
without going into the battle field: and some-
times the revolutions most distressing TO q peO-
pie are effected without the shedding of blood.
That is the substance of your Government
may be taken away while there is held ont to
you the form and the shadow. And now, what
are the attempts and what is beng proposed
We find that by an irresponsible central direc-
tory nearly all the powers of Congress are as
sumed without even consulting the legislative
and executive departments of the Government,
BY resolution reported by n committee upon
the Government has been lodged. that great
principle in the Constitution which authorizes
and empowers the legislative department, the
Senate and House of Representatives, to be the
Judges OF elections, returns, and qualifications
of it's own members, has been virtually taken
away from the two respective branches of the
National Legislature, and conferred upon a
committee, who must report before the body
can act on the question of admission of MEM
bers TO their seats. BY this rule they assume a
State is out of the Union, and to have its prac-
teal relations restored by that rule, before the
House can judge of the qualifications of its
own members. What position is that Yen
have been struggling for four years to put
down rebellion. You contended at the be-
gining OF that struggle that State had not q
right to go out. You said it had neither the
right nor the power, and il has been settled
that the States had neither the right nor the
power 10 90 out of the Union. And when YOU
determine by the executive, by the military,
and by the public judgment that these States
cannot have any right 10 20 out, this commit
tee turns around and assumes that they are
out, and that they shall not come in.
am free to say to you as your Executive
that am not prepared 10 take any such po-
sition. [Great cheering.l l said in the Sen
ate IN the very inception of this rebellion, that
the States had no right TO secede That ques-
tion has been settled. Thus determined, cam
not turn round and give the lie direct to all
that profess to have done during the last four
years. L say that when the States that at
tempted TO secede comply with the Consttu-
ton. and give sufficient evidence Of loyalty.
shall extend to them the right hand of fellow
/ fought traitors and treason in the South I
opposed the Davises, the Toombs, the Slidells
and long list OF others, which you can readily
fill without my repeating the name. Now,
when turn round and at the other end of
the line find men, care not by what name
you call them, who still stand opposed to the
restoration of the Union of these States, am
free to say to you that L am still in the field.
[Great applause. L am still for the preserva-
tion Of the Union. / am still in favor of this
great Government of ours going on and on,
filling
Noices-Giye us three names at the other end.
The President.-1 am called upon to name
three at the other end of the line. / am talking
TO my friends and fellow citizens, who are in
terested with me in this Government, and pre-
sumo am free to mention to you the names of
those TO whom ! look upon as being opposed to
the fundamental principles ofthis Government,
and who are labSring to pervert and destroy it.
Voices" Name them - Who are they !''1
The President-You ask me who they are. say
Ihaddeus Stevens, of Pennsylvania is one;
say MIR. Sumner, of the Senate, is another, and
Wendell Phillips is another. [Long continued
applause.l GVoices-s'Give it to FOrneyr'l
The President-ln reply TO that, will simply
say do not waste my ammunition upon
dead ducks. [Great laughter and applause.l
stand for my country; stand for the Con-
stitution. There L have always placed my
feet from my dyent to public life. They may
traduce, I they may slander, they NAV yitupe-
rate me, but let me say to you all this has no
influence upon me. lGreat applause.]
In addition to this, / do not intend to be gov
erned by real or pretended friends, nor do / in
tend to be bullied by my enemies. GCheers.]
An honest conviction is my sustenance, III e
Constitution my guide. 1 know, my country
men, that Ii had been insinuated- nay. said di-
rectly, in high places-that if such usurpa-
ton Of power has been exercised two hundred
years ago, in particular reigns it would have
cost an individual his head. What usurpation
has Andrew johnson been guilty of [Cheers
and cries of "None."l Ny only usurpation
has been committed by standing between the
people and the encroachments of power. And
because dared say in conversation with a
fellow w-citizen and Senator too, that thought
amendments TO the Constitution ought not to
be so frequent, lest the instrument lose all its
sancuty and dignity, and be wholly lost sight
OF in short time and because happened 10
say in conversation that thought that such
and such an amendment was all that ought to
be adopted, il was said that had suggested
such nsurpation of power as would have
cost king his head in a certain period In
connection with this subject one has exclaimed
that we are in the "midst OF earthquakes and
ne trembled." Yes, there is an earthquake ap-
preaching, there is a groundswell coming of
popular judgment and indignation. The
American people will speak, and by theira in
stlnct, If in no other way, know who are their
friends when and where and in whatever po-