Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-02-24

law which will bring back these States to
their regular relations with the Union.
l have detained you longer than l in
tended. [Voices-Go on We are in a
struggle. l am your instrument. Who
is there 1 have not labored and toiled for
Where is the man or woman either in
public or private life who has not always
received my attention or my time? Par
don the egotism. They say Mr.. johnson
Is a lucky man,-that no man can defeat
men. 1 will tell you what constitutes
luck. 1t is due to being right and being
for the people-that is what constitutes
good luck. Somehow or other the people
will lind out who is for or against them
1 have been placed in as many trying po-
| sitipns as any mortal man was ever placed
in, but SO far l have not deserted the
people, and 1 believe they will not desert
me. What principles have L violated,
what sentiments have / swerved from Z
Can they put their finger upon them ?
Have you heard them point out any dis
c~repancy ? have you heard themquote my
predecessor, who fell a martyr to his coun-
try's cause, as going in opposition or IN
contradiction to any thing l have done
The very policy which L am pursuing now
was pursued under his administration,
was being pursued by him when hat in
~scrutable Providence saw fit 10 summon
him l trust to a better world than this
Where is there one principle adopted by
him in reference to their restoration thai
[ have departed from. mo, no.
The very policy that l am now pursuing
was formed by me under his administers
ton, l having been appointed by him il
a particular position for that purpose. Al
inscrutable Providence saw proper to re
move him from this TO, l trust, a bette
world. / came into his place, and there !
not a principle of his in reference to tn
| restoration of the Union, from which
have departed. Then the war is not sim
ply upon me, but it is upon my predeces
= sor also. 1 have tried to do my duty.
know that some are enviOus and jealOu:
t and speak of the White House as havini
attractions for the President. Let me sa
to you that the charms of the Whit
House have as little influence upon me a
/ upon any individual in this country, an
much less upon me than upon those VIII
ara talking about it. The difference be
: tween the little that suflices for mystomac
r ane back more than enough has no charm
: for me. The proud and conscious ~satisfaC
S tion of having performed my duty to m
f country, to my children, and to the inne
man is all the reward l ask. [Great AZ
v plause.
In conclusion let me ask this vast con
t course here TO day, this sea of upturne
faces to come with me, or l will go wit
f you, and stand around the Constitution c
= Onr country. II is again unfolded. III
d people are invited to read and understand
4 sustain and maintain its provision.
: Let us stand by the Constitution of gu
fathers though the heavens fall, thong
: faction should rage, though taunts an
= jeers may come, though abuse and vitupel
g alton may be poured out in the mo:
: virulent form, l mean to be found stanC
c ing by the Constitution as the chief ark
1 our safety, as the palladium of our civ
e and religious liberty. Yes, let US cling t
n it as a mariner clings to the last plan
when the night and the tempel
= alone are around him. Let us g
away forgetting the past and lookin
to the future, resolved to endeavor to RI
store our Government to its pristine purit,
$ trusting in Him who is on high but VII
t controls all here below, that ere long OF
r Union will be restored and that we sha
5 have peace not only with all the nation
: of the earth but peace and good wi
among all parts of the people of the I'm
: ted States. When your country is go1
' and you are about that place look out an
you will find the humble individual WI
Y now stands before you, weeping over i
final dissolution.