Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-13
A SENSIBLE SPERCH. ,

At recent johnson endorsement In Ports
mouth, Va, DIR. Covert, Union man of that
city, delivered the following sensible speech !:
FelloU- Citizens Grateful for the cour-
tesy which has prompted this call upon me.
l rise to respond TO that call, by the presenta-
tion of few thoughts suggested by this
meeting and its objects. A few. days ago nv
attention was arrested BY the appearance of a
placard posted in our streets, inviting the
Loyal men of Portsmouth to meet in assem-
bly, at Oxford Hall, for object unassigned.-
As did not know that there was any dis
loyal man in Portsmouth at this time, / was
IN very great Guandary to understand why
the word loyal was used; and after mature
reflection, came to the c6ncldsion that it
could only fnean those men who were IoyuE
to the Cnitetl States during the past war
and upon this conclusion is, based this inter
rogatory: which would you sooner trust, fel-
iow-eltlzens, the Lp-SerCice of do-nothing-
and stay>at-honie 60yaLy Ito the United
States, which costs nothing, demands no
sacrifices, imperils neither life, limb, nor
health that frequently pays, in oiling
The pregnant hinges of the knee,
That thrift may tollcw fawning;"
or would you trust the me1c loyalty of re-
claimed rebel, whose fealty Ito the Confed-
eracy] was firm, true, consistent and practi-
cal in the dark and bloody days of an illt
starred COnfederacy-whose faith was sorcly.
tried IN the red-hOt crucible of peril, hunger
and death, yet emerged from the ordeal, pu-
riied by the trial, with honor untarnished
and the priceless jewel of consistency uud dimn-
ed in his keeping. 1t is Adversely which
tries mems souls. Show me man who is
faithful to his creed and principles during
the tempestuous storm of adverse fortune and
declining hope, and [ will show you one
Upon WHOM all tho Gods have set seal
To give the world assurance ol a man.
Can you doubt such man in his profession
of allegiance to a new governmentI Has he
not been found faithful in adversity? And
is not the inference logical that he will still
be faithful under more prosperous circum-
stances! In the former he had but princi>
pie to guide him; in the latter both principle
and policy will alike direct him.
What can you say Of man whose position
is the antithess of this picture? lie NAV
be firm, consistent and practical, Int lie has
ncrcr been tried, and the proof is wanting
the cup of ease and the couch of relaxation
are not the instruments with which we test
mems fidelity; but the bitter chalicc Of sharp
necessity; and the s;Iow-crusted Gcd of frozen
earth are tests-keen, sure, and infaIlib!e-
to prove the strength of his principles and
convictions, and the fidelity of his govern
mental advocacy.
have been asked if did not think that
the election OF man, connected with the late
Contederacy, to the mayoralty of this city.
would be Prejudicinl to the interests of Viz
glnla at this junctnre? ! answer unhesita-
tinGly, no! What care our aw-makcrs at
Washington for professions of Southern low
atty? They neither believe them, nor de-
sire to believe them. 1t does not suit their
purposes; it is inimica to their party su-
premacy. Goaded, humbled and bound down
by the restrictions Of Il radical dynasty, the
South, thank God, in her cxtrenfty, has
found an advocate in Andrew johnson, who.
d!scardlng the habiliments of politician.
has entered the ring, stripped to the waist,
and challenges an antagonist, as the States
man champion OF constitutional liberty
There may be, fellow citizens, an expe-
diency in ''Stooping to conquer" The South
has already exercised it, and what have been
the fruits! Dead leaves and grainless husks;
and cannot believe that the South will any
longer emasculatc its nobility, but will unite
in the strength Of its political power with the
conservative clements of the North. and at
the ballot boz hurl from their high Offices the
radical representatives of misrue, wrong and
tyrannlcal usurPations. As sure rs the hand
writing on the wall presaged the fall of Bel.
shazzar and his kingdom, SO sure do these
radicals read, in the dim vista of the future,
ruin, dismay aud utter anuihilation.
Let u.s. then, with one accord. rally around
Andrew johnson, as the standard bearer Of
political equality in this battle with fanati-
cism, and the morn Of brighter and more
glorious era, will dawn upon those free, equaL
and United States of America.