Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1866-12-08
THAD. STEVENS AT THE CONGRES-
SIONAL BANQUET. -

Mr.. Stevens rose in the lower part of the
hall and commenced To speak, but not a
word was audible at the upper tables, AZ
ter some minutes he was brought to the
space in front Of the head tables and there
lac proceeded to make remarks, of which
but little was heard throughout the hall
He said he was directed by the Republican
members of the House Of Representatives
to offer their sincere and hearty thanks for
the noble testimony borne to what had been
charitaby called the "pure patriotism of
Congress- Ii might be that Congress de-
served some Of that praise. Through un-
expected events, visited upon the nation for
its sins, a man had been raised into power
whom it required all their efforts and de-
termination to prevent from becoming a
King instead of a President. (Iiisses.) The
war of blood had been suspended-he
wished he could say ended-but the war
was not over. It's main and final object
was pursued by the enemy with a relentless
vigor. The object first had been to rule
over at least half the country as a nation of
slaves, TO introduce free trade and TO humih
ate the North for its persistent advocacy
Of freedom. The object now was to rule
the whole nation by means of an oil
garchy, making negroes and copper
heads contribute to the increased power
Of the South, through the increase
of the number of its votes, to seize the reins
of the Government, to introduce free trade,
and TO break down the industry Of the free
people Of the North. During the war jeff
Davis was Commander-in-Ch Chief of the
Rebel army, with Lee rs chief adviser.
Now, Andrew johnson was their Com
mander-in- Chief, while poor old Wool was
their chief martial adviser and for the
navy they had Semmes and Welles.
CLaughter.) The people were now to de-
eide whether they were TO have Andrew
Johnson as President or as King, for they
we're told they had no other choice leit.
daughter. He wanted the encourage
ment Of the soldiers. The enemy had the
vantage ground having possession Of the
White House, and was dispensing, with
corrupt hand, the vast patronage Of the ma
ton. And yet he had no fears. The army
consisted of citizens as well as of soldiers.
Il had a few mercenary officers, like the
Steedmans, the Dixes and the Woods; bDt
if the Government were 10 order Grant, or
Howard, or Farragut, to do its treacherous
work, they would break their swords rather
than obey. With Sheridan for leader,
aud with twenty-five or fifty thousand coll
ored soldiers to follow him, they might defy
Andrew johnson and all who would follow
his lead. But if thetime should ever come
when the conspirators would muster auda-
city equal 10 their ambition, and, as once
happened in England, attempt to turn the
popular army against the people, Congress
would not have to rely on the Southern
freedmen alone. The men OF the loyal
North would spring 10 their feet and un-
sheath their weapons, as they heard the
first booming cannon Of Sumter, Let Con-
eress be bold, and the soldiers Of The last
war would take care Of the next; and the
usurper who leads the hostile forces would
have time and leasure 10 revise his boasted
proclamationg in one Of the embrazures OF
Fortress Monroe Cheers The usur-
ger's head would rest more quietly, to be
sure. on 3 lapbeaFd and goose, thar when
oppressed witha crown. Laughter, With
less than impartial suffrage the South, VIA
his consent, should never be reconstructed.
He would not be content with such a Purile
work as universal amnesty and universal
suffrage.