The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-02-14

one direction, and attempt, by re-
verse action, to run it in the opposite
direction
/ say, again, that no one can mis-
take the doctrines Of that message.
It is very easy for persons to mis-
represent it, and to make assertions
! that this, that or the other has taken
| place, or will take place; but I think L
may be permitted to say to yot, ON this
occasion that, taking all my antece-
dents, going back to my advent in
public life, and continuing down to
| the present time, the great cardinal
principles set forth in that paper have
been my constant and unwavering
guido. After having gone so far, it
| IS too late for me to turn and take n
different direction. They will be my
guide from this time onward, and
those who understand them may know
where 7 shall always be found when
principle is involved. Here let me
say to you, in order to disabuse the
public mind as far as it is possible
for an individual to do so, that my
public career is wellnigh done. The
sand of my political glass has we'll
nigh run out.
If [ were disposed to refer to my
self, / might trace my career back to
the log cabin; then an alderman and
q mayor i'll village; then through
both branches of the State Legisla-
ture; then for ten consecutive years
in the National House of Representa-
tives; then through the Gubernatorial
Chair to the Senate Of the United
States; then Provisional Governor,
with slight participation in military
affairs; then Vice President, and now
in the position occupy before YOU.
And now, i'll this position, if [ can be
instrumental in restoring the Go
vernment of the United States; in
restoring to their true position in the
Union those States whose relations
to tho National Government have,
for time, been interrupted by one
OF the most gigantic rebellions that
ever occurred in the world, so that
we can proclaim once more that we
are united people, shall feel that
the measure of my ambition has been
filed, and filed to overtiowing. And
at that point, if there be any who are
envlous or jealous of my honor and
position, [ shall be prepared to make
them as polite bow rs I know how,
and thank them to take the place I
have occupied, for my mission will
have been fulfilled. In saying this,
IN performance of my duty and in re-
sponse to the encouragement you
have given me, [ feel that / am in q
condition not to be arrogant; not to
feel imperious or supercillious. I
feel that 1 can afford to do right, and
so feeling, God being willing, I in
tend to do right; and as far as in mo
lies, l intend to administer this Co
vernment upon the principles that
lie at the foundation of it.
1 can inform all aspirants who are
trying to form their combinations for
the future, who want to make one OF
ganlzatlon for one purpose and an
other, that they are not in my way.
L am not q candidate for any position.
and hence, I repeat l can afford to
do right; and, beingin that condition,
L will do right. make this announce
ment for the purpose of letting all
know that my work is to restore the
Government, not to make combina-
tlons with reference to any future can
didacy for the Presidency of the
United States
have reached the topmost round;
my race is lpn, so far as that is con-
cerned. My object is to perform my
duty, and that VIII endeavor to do.
Let us, then, all join in this great
work or restoration; and while wo !
are restoring and repairing the
hreachs7s that have been made. let rs
unite in the work Of making new
States, and populating them with a
people who are worthy of the Go
vernment which protects them. And
let those new State Governments be
founded on principles in harmony
with the general machinery devised
by our fathers. So far as regards
any aid or assistance that can be
given hore in the progress and in the
eonsummation of this great work of
building up new States, as we'll as on
the restoration Of all the former
States, you will find me a willing and
cordial helper.
THE FREEDMEN BUREAU BILL.-A
despatch to the New York IH,old.
says:
The rrlmor is obtaining very cxten-
sive credit in Washington that should
the Freedmen's Bureau bill pass the
House rs it, already bac tho Sop,+o