The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1866-03-02

Representatives from Congress; and therefore hede
sired constitutional amendment to compel them
to be sent How now does the. matter stand? In
the Constitution of the country even that portion of
it which provides for the amendment of the organic
law, say that no State shall be deprived of its rep
resentation. Now what do we hndl We find the
position taken that States shall not be represented
that we may impose taxes that we may send our
tax gatherers to every region and portion of State;
that the people to be oppressed with taxes; but
when they here to participate in the legisia-
ton of the country, they are met at the door and
told 'Do, you must pay taxes, you must pay taxes.
you must bear the burdens of the Government, but
you must not participates in its egislaton which is
to affect you for all time. Is this justg -No, nOl
Then say let admit into the council of the pa-
ton those who Enthusiastically and unquestiona-
bly, loyal those men who acknowledge their ale
glance to the government, and swear to support the
constitution. 1t is all embraced in that. The am
plifcetion of an oath makes no difference if man
is not Ioyal but you may adopt whatever test oath
you please to prove his loyalty; but let him be an
questionaBEg loyal, and am willing to trust him.
No taxation without representation was funda-
menral principle laid down by our fathers. 1t was
good then it is good now. fit was rule to stand
by then, it is a rule to stand by 1t funda-
mental principle that should be adhered to long
as free government lasts, .a--s- ANA
If, while the rebellion was going on, the Consti-
tuition was rolled up as parchment; if it vio-
lated in some particulars to save the Government,
and to save the Constitution ITSELF there may have
been some excuse to justify it, But now that the
war is over, and peace has come, we want written
Constitution and say the time has come to tai 1T
down, unroH it re-rea it, and understand its pro-
visions, Now if you have saved the Government
in war, you can only it in peace by preserving
the constitution, and the only way to preserve it is
by strict observance of it as it was unfoded to us
by our fathers. come here to vindieate the con
stitutonIand to save it, for it does seem to that
| encroachment after encroaehment is proposed. I
stand ta-dav prepared, far to resist these
encroachInents. Now that we have peace let US en-
force the constitution; let live under and by its
provisions; let be published; let it be printed in
blazing characters fit were in the heavens and
punctuated with stars that all may read and under
stand. i tell the opponents Of this government, Ct
not from what quarter they come, you rho are
| engaged in breaking up the government by amend
the constitution that the principles of free
government are deeply rootedin the American heart
and all powers combined cannot destroy that great
instrument-that great chart of freedom, They
may seem to succeed for a time but their attempts
| viii be futile. They might well undertake TO
lock up the winds of heaven, chain the waves of
the ocean. They may think itcan be done by con-
current resolution; but when it is submitted to the
poPulanjudg ment and to the popular win, they win
find that they might as we'll undertaks to repeal the
laws ofgrayty by resolution as to keep the union
from being restored. 1T just about as feasible to
resist the great law Of gravitation which binds all
to common centre, as that great law of gravity
| which viii bring back the States and replace them
in their relations. All these conspiraces and ma
| chinations, north and south can't prevent it.
| have detained you longer than intended. "a
voice--'Go on.'I We are in great struggle. am
| your instrument. have always been your servant,
the people know am their friend; they know have
never deserted them although I have been placed
in as many trying positions as mortal man was ever
placed in, and believe they will sustain me now in
this struggle against the enemies of free govern
ment. What principle have violated? What SEN
timent have,I swerved from? Have you heard them
quote my predecessor who fell martyr to his coun
try's cause going in opposition to anything that
have done? The very policy pursuing now
was pursued under his administration, and was be-
| ing pursued by hiIn when he was taken from u.s.
This then is against him too. have tried to do
my duty, and the conscious satisfaction of having
performed it to my country is all the reward ask
In conclusion, let ask this vast concourse here
to-day this of upturned faces, to come with me-
or will go with you, and stand around the Consti-
tuition. of our country. 1t is again unfolded. The
| and maintain its provisions. Let US stand by the
Constitution OF our forefathers. Though the heav-
fall though factions should rage; though taunts
and jeers may come; though abuse and vituperation
may come in its most violent Character mean to
be found standing by the Constitution the chief ark
our safety; the palladium of our civil and re
1igious liberty. Yes, Jet cling to it as the mari
ner chngs the last plank when the night and the
tempest close around him. Let US go away, forget
ting the past and looking to the futuro resolve to
endeavor to restore Government to its Prestine
purity, trusting in Him mo is on high, but who
controls eIl here below that long Union viii
be restored, and that shall have peace, not only
| with ell the nations of the earth, but peace and
good viii among all the people Of the United States
When your country is gone and you are about that
place. look out and you win find the humble indi-
vidual who now stands before you weeping over its
! final dissolution. ulaE