The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-24
The President and the Couu,rv

Without Offering to compare the Presi-
dents last speech with any he has previous
liz made, we can assert that it is an effort
worthy Of the gravity of the times and his
own exalted position. He takes his hearers
and readers through the several crisis that
have marked our national career, and i'm
pressed upon their minds that this last is
the most important and trying Of them all.
The speech is compact in argument, snewy
in phrase, and full of the marrow of pa
triotic meaning. No philosopher could bet
ter delineate the true method Of restoring
amity where discord had so recently ruled.
The great and single purpose of the late
conflict he does not lose sight of for an in
slant. We fought the war through to make
good the assertion that no State, or cOmbi-
nation Of states, could disrupt this great
Union by force and we should throw away
all we have gained at such q cost, besides
belieing our solemn professions, if we now
admit that the attempt at disunion had re-
suited practically in success. This portion
Of the speech is reasoned with great clear
ness and force Of expression.
As 70 what is, from abe circumstances OF
the caHe, personal 10 himself, he speaks
with the frankness Of one whose opinions
are too sound 70 be advanced by half con-
cealmcnt or the slightest appearance of
qualification. The exigency requires
speech that is open and unrestrained, TO
which tho intrepid and self-sustaining
character Of Mr.. johnson is clearly equal.
He passes by his ealulnniatOrs with phrase
or two of scorn, as any patriot would who
had been tried in che furnsce he has passed
through, and come safely out only 10 be
greeted with the malignant sneers and &C
cusalions Of factionsts and fanatics. They
never can ingram their notions Of what is
loyal and true into the fibre Of nature
like his; its very honesty drives il at once
10 revolt.
The people viii nowhere end a more
clear and com pondious statement Of the sew
eral steps-uu forced and carefully premed-
itated-by which Restoration was begun
and continued. First, the courts with their
machinery; then, the mails, with their in
describab.e c0nveniences; next, the re-
opened Custom Houses, and Tree and IN
restricted trade from the coast to the inte-
rior; and, finally, 50 far as the official and
proper recommendations of the President
can advance that essential set of a perfect
reunion, the admission Of the representa-
tives from the Southern States, on the dis
tinct request Of the people of those States,
into the National Legislature. No man Of
intelligence can peruse the brief sentences
i'm which the President recapitulates the
grounds and again argues the question Of
aamission, aud be at further loss 10 distin-
guish between what Belongs 10 justice and
right. and what IS the inspiration Of she
most shameful partnership that ever con-
stituted an epoch in q peoples history.
Holding firmly 20 such opinions, inspired
by such sentiments, devoted 10 such the
orr Of republican government, and full OF
| faith in the future for the nation, it is a
dull prophet who should presume to say
| that the people of the country viii not
come boldly 10 his support, and give all
nossible strength 10 She arm that is doing
such valiant service for them. He speaks
| but the truth when he declares that be Is
6gbtiur the spirit Of consolidation now, as
ne fought tho spirit Of disunion before.
Roth would DO syTapts in oar republican
system. bent on overtuTning the iabric Of
norular liberty. Il needed no more eyi-
aeace 10 show that he would be found OPP
posipr the one than that he did boldly op-
pose the other.
Ii is refreshing, sfter dreary spell Of
doubt and distracted feeling on the part or
the people. for them 10 catch such strong
| words ola buoyant and courageous patriot
1 ism as President johnson has Just spoken 70
| the soldiers and sailors at Washington. No
one Of as ought 10 despair OF his country s
| continued freedom, whom the Executive
1 himself stands ia the hrcsoh which the ~
-anny Of faction would make WideFI ana
calls on the people 70 come 70 the rescue o.
! liberty. lie ia, Cor the moment, but one
| against an organized force but he stands
| for Constitutional freedom instead Of pow
er aud pra1cgativo, and - such an issue the
| American people cannot, If they would, be
| indiaercut-B9sf0R Poss,