The daily clarion. [volume] (Meridian, Miss.) 1863-1866, 1866-02-27

IN their proper relations with the Union.
I have detained you longer than inten-
ded IA voice-go on.l We are in a great
struggle I am your instrument. VINO IS
there that have not toiled ana laDored
tor? Where is the man or woman, either
i'm public or private life, who has not al
ways received my attention or my time in
proportion to my ability? They say that
man johnson is a lucky man; but no man
can defeat him. will tell you what consti-
tutes good luck. 1t is due to right and
being for the people; that is what eonstl-
tutes good luck. Some hour or other the
people will find out and understand VINO Is
for and who is against them. have been
placed in as many trying positions as any
mortal was ever placed in, but so far nave
not deserted the people, and believe they
will not desert me. What principle nave
violated? What sentiment have l swerYed
from. Can they put their finger on 1t
Have you heard them point out any dis
crepaney? Have you heard them quote
my predecessor, who fell martyr to MS
country's cause, as going in opposition or
in contradiction to anything that | have
done? The very policy that l am pnr-
suing now was pursued under his admin
istration, was being pursued by him when
that inscrutable Providence saw fit to
summon him, trust, to a better world
than this, above. Is there one principle
adopted by him in reference to this reso-
luton that | have departed from? None.
None. The war is not simply upon me, but
upon my predecessor also.
/ have tried to do my duty. l know that
some are envious and jealous, ana speak OF
the White House as having attractions for
the p resident. Let me say to you, the
charm of the White House has as lit
tie influence upon me as any lndlVldual III
the country, and much less upon me than
l. hnt fha Ill
| ference between the little that sutficeS for
my stomach and back; more than enough
! has not charms for me. The proud
and conscious satisfaction of having per-
| formed my duty to my country, to my
| children, to the inner man, Is all the re-
ward | ask. [Great applause.l In cOnclu-
! sion. | invite this vast concourse here TO-
day, this sea of upturned faces, to come
with me, or | will go with you, and STAND
around the constitution of our countrd
again unpolluted. The people are invitey
to read and understand sustain and main
! tain its provisions. Let us stand by the
| constitution of our fathers though the
| heavens fall; though faction should
rage, though taunts and jeers may
come though abuse and vituperatlOn
may be poured out in the most violent
form. mean to be found standing by the
constitution as the chief ark of our safety
as people, and the palladium OF our c!Vll
and our religious liberty. Yes, let us cling
to il as the mariner clings to the last plank
when the night and the tempest close
around him. Let us go away, forgetting
the past, and looking to the future, resolved
to endeavor to restore our Government to
its pristine purity, trusting to Him who is
on high, but who controls all here below,
| that ere long our Union will be restored
| and that we shall have peace, not only
with all the nations of the earth, but peace
and good will among the people in all parts
| of the United States. When your country
is gone, and you are about that place, look
out and you will find that humble indi-
Vidual who now stands before you, weep
| ing over its final dissolution.