The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-08-19

6Avou W oAOSo VINO m&1nL2l0 the
principles declared by that great
body of national men who met this
week In Convention in Philadelphia.
President Johnson's Remarks to tho
Comznittec OF the Phladclph: "a
a.. Convention.
,WAsHNaToN, August 1S.-There
wac great crowd to-day to hear the
President, in response to Reverdy
Johnson. who presented the official
proceedings of the Convention. He
said, referring with feeling to the
scene represented of South Ca rolina
and Massachusetts entering the Con-
vention together, he was overcome,
and eould not but conclude that an
ovsrrulng Providence was directing
us Alright. He said our b. men
have performed their dutie. on the
Held and have won laurels imperish-
1, abba, but, Cunning to Gen. Randall,
he continued, there are greater and
more important duties ~ perform,
and while we have had their co-ope-
ration In the field, we now need their
efforts to perpetuate peace. IAp-
planse. The Executive Department
had tried to pour oil on the waters,
and restore the Union; but it had
not entirely succeeded. We have
seen, he said, in one department of
the Government, every effort to per-
fect the restoration of peace and
harmony in the Union. We have
seen hanging on the verge of the
Government, as it were, a body called,
orwhich assumed to be, the Congress
fthe United States, while in fact it
Is q. Congress of only part of the
STATES. We have seen this Congress
assume and pretend to be aiding the
Union, when its every step and act
tended to perpetuate disunion and
make disruption of States inevita-
BILE instead of promoting reconcilia-
Non and harmony. Its legislation
has partaken Of the character of
penalties, retaliation and revenge.
ThisY has been the course and the
policy of one portion of your Co.
vernment. The humble individual
who is now addressing you stands the
representative of another department
OA e41O NOVC1AAAcnt. L u0 uIuuuCT Ill
which he was called upon to occupy
that position, I shall not allude to on
this occasion; suffice it to say, that he
is here under the Constitution of the
country, and being here by virtue of
its provisions, he takes his stand
upon that charter of our liberties as
the great rampant of civil and reli-
gious liberty. Prolonged cheering
Having been taught in my early life
to hold it sacred, and having prac-
ticed upon it during my whole pub
lie career, shall ever continue to
reverence the Constitution of my
fathers and make it my guide.
Hearty applause.
The President proceeded and de-
MED the charge that he had ever been
tyrannical or despot; but said such
charges were simply intended to de-
ceive and delude the public mind
into the belief that there is some one
in power who is usurping and tram
ping upon the rights of the Consti-
tuition. It is done by those who made
such charges for the purpose of CO.
vering their own acts. That's 80,
and applause. I have felt it my duty,
in vind;cation of the principles of the
Constitution of my country, to call
the attention of my countrymen to
these proceedings. When we come
to examine who has been playing the
tyrant, by whom do we find despot-
ism exercised? As to myself, the
elements of my nature, the pursuits
Of ny life, have not made me in my
feelings or in my practice, oppres-
ive-my nature, on the contrary, is
rather defensive in its character; but
I will say chat, having taken my stand
upon the broad principles of liberty
and the Constitution, there is not
power enough on earth TO drive me
from sit.x Loud and prolonged ap-
plause. Having placed myself upon
that broad pistform, I have not been
awed, or. dismayed, or intirnidated by
either threats or encroachments; bat
have stood there, in conjunction with
the patriotic spirits, sounding the
tocsin Of alarn, when 7 deemed the
citadel OF liberty endangered. loud
and prolonged applause-good. ]