The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-09-08


by step upon constitutional rights, and
violate day after day and month after
month the fundamental principles OF
the Government. We have seen Con-
gress that seemed to forget that there
was Constitution Of the United States
that there was limit to the sphere
and scope Of legislation. We have seen
a Congress ina minority assume to ex-
ercise powers which, il allowed to be
carried out, would result in despotism
or monarchy itself. This is truth, and
because others as well as myself have
seen proper to appeal to the patriotism
and republican feeling Of the country,
we have been denounced in the severest
terms. Slander upon slander, vitupera-
tion upon vituperation of the most viii
lainous character, has made its way
through the press. What, gentlemen,
has been your and my sin? What has
been the cause Of our offending? Twill
tell you. Daring to stand by the Con-
stitution of our fathers! (Approching
Senator Johnson.) / consider the pro-
ceedings of this Convention, sir, as more
important than those of any convention
that ever assembled in the United States.
When look with my minds eye upon
that collection of citizens coming togeth-
er voluntarily, and sitting in council,
with ideas, with principles, and views
commensurate with all the States and
co-extensive with the whole people, and
contrast it with the collection of gentle
men who are trying to destroy the
country, regard it as more important
than any convention that has sat, at
least, since 1887. l think / may also
say, that the declarations that were there
made are equal with the Declaration of
Independence itself, and / here to-day
pronounce it q second Declaration Of In
dependence.
Your address and declarations are
nothing more nor less than reafiirma-
tion Of the Constitution OF the United
States. Yes, will so farther, and say
that the declarations you have made,
that the principles you have enunciated
in your address, are second proclama-
ton of emancipation to the people Of
the United States for in the proclaiming
and reproclaiming these great truths
you have laid down a constitutional
platform upon which all can make COM
mon cause, and stand united together
for the restoration of the States and
Z preservation Of the Government with
out reference to party. The query only
is the salvation of the country, for our
country rises above all party considera-
tions or influences. How many are
there in the United States that now re-
quire to be free! They have the shack
les upon their limbs and are bound as
rigidly as though they were in fact in
slavery. repeat, then, that your dec
laration is the second proclamation of
emancipation to the people of the Uni
ted States, and offers a common ground
upon which all patriots can stand.
Mr.. Chairman and gentleman, let me
in this connection ask you what have
to gain more than the advancement Of
the public welfare? l am rs much op-
posed to the indulgence of egotism as
any one, but here, in a conversational
manner, while formally receiving the
proceedings Of this Convention, may
be permitted again to ask, what have I
to gain consulting human ambition
more than have gained, except in one
thing? My race is nearly run. have
been placed in the high Office which l
occupy under the Constitution Of the
country, and may say that have held,
from lowest to highest, almost every
position to which man may attain in
our Government. have passed through
every position, from alderman Of a vii
lage to the Presidency of the United
States; and surely, gentlemen, this
should be enough to crafty reasonable
ambition. III wanted authority, or if
wished to perpetuate my own power,
how easy would it have been to hold and
WELD that which was placed in my hands
by the measure called the Freedmen's
, Bureau Bill. Withan army which it plac-
, ed at my discretion could have remain.
ed at the capital Of the nation, and with
} fifty sixty millions Of appropriationsat at
; my disposal, with the machinery to be-
+. worked by my own hands, with my
satraps and dependents in every town
and village, and then with the Civil
{ Rights Bill following as an auxiliary in
| connection with all the other appliances
| OF the Government, 1 could have pro-
r claimed myself dictator.
!. But, gentlemen, my pride and my
1 ambition have been to occupy that po-
= sition which retains all power in the
r hands Of the people. 1t is upon that I
n have always relied. 1t is upon that
: rely now. "a voice, "And the people
/ will not disappoint you.") And l re-
: peat, that neither the taunts nor jeers
| of Congress, nor Of subsidized calum-
: mating press, can drive me from my
purpose. i acknowledge no superior
y except my God, the author of my exist
r ence, and the people OF the United
States. For the one, try to obey all
His commands, as best can, compati-
) BILE with my poor humanity, For the
other, in political and representative
= sense, the high behests Of the people
4 have always been respected and obeyed
, by me.
/ Mr.. Chairman, have said more than
t had intended to say. For the kind
Q illusions to myself contained in your