The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-06-01
TIE PRESIDENTS POLICY REVIEWED.
SPEECH
HONORABLE JAMES W. ME,
OF NEVADA,
Ia the U. .. Senate May IL, 1905.

.Nr. President :-When the Senate adjourn
ed last evening, 1 was paying a passing NJ
spcct to q remark made by the Senator from
Delaware, (slr Salisbury in speech on this
| question, sOrne days ago.-Bui, sir, ! propose
now to return to the Senator from Wisconsin
(NIr. DoolittIe) and the Senator from Pennsyl.
vania (Mr. Cowan) for the purpose of deter
mining whether they or others stand upon this
Baltimore platform. The honorable Senator
from Wisconsin says that no power on earth
shall drive him from it; whether besiegeL by
Radicals OH tho one side or by Democrats on
the other, there he is to stand, and stand for
ever and | understand the Senator from
Pennsy lyuna to occupy the same altitude up
OH that platform. II that platform is large
enough, if there Is any room for others, pro-
pose TO stand there with them for awhile, un-
ill they push me off or they leave il. This
Baltimore platform was the political direction,
the scriptllral direction If such term Is ap-
plicable to politics-upon which the last bat
tie was fought and won, and propose to hang
to il. II was said by n distinguished member
Of the Cabinet not long ago that in these
hurries and gales some few would he washed
overheard and some left. i propose to wealth.
er this galc by standing upon the deck Of this
Baltimore platform. In examining the plat
form, sir, you will find that it contains only
two very important provisions, and the first Is
most important:-
"Rssolred, That II Is the highest duty Of every
American citizen to maintain. against oil their
enemies, the integrity Of the Union and the per.
mansnt authority Of the Constitution and the
laws Of the United States;'-
understand the distinguished Senator from
PENNSYLVANIA to say that the Democrats had
rot on to that portion of the platform. ] trust
that no power on this side will be exercised to
drive them off.-lf they have been converted
by the distinguished Senators from Pennsyl-
vania and Wisconsin, SO that they are content
to stand upon that, il is new era in their po-
liiical history; and one that will be noted with
great favor as an instance Of the wonderful
power ofthe two Senators who have wrought
the change;
"and that, laying aside all differences and politi
cal opinions, wo pledge ourselves as Union men,
animated by n common sentiment and aiming at
a common object, to do everything In our power
to aid the Government In quelling by force OF
arms the rebellion now raging against its author.
ity, aud in bringing to the punishment due to
their crimes the rebels and traitors arrayed
against it,"
That, sir, is the great cardinal principle of
the Baltimore platform, and to every line and
word of il most heartily assent. II declared
it to be our duty to maintain the Union, the
Constitution, and the laws against all their
enemies but our Democratic friends did not
see il in that light; They did not ngree-and
refer to that portion of them who are now
acting with. the two distinguished Senators
with whom am holding this controversy.
they did not agree then to that sentiment, Ii
IL. 4. al. I'll, nm
now, with me, wish had never been held, at
Chicago, would never have taxed place.
This platform, by the cogcncy of its reason
ing aud the potency OF its argument com
man,led the support of large majority OF the
Union-loying men of this country. They had
asccrtained- congratulate the members
of that Convention, for understand my
friend claims to have taken n distinguished
mart i'm it-tllat the rebellion had reached that
pont where nothing but the force Of arms
could nut il down and the Baltimore Con-
ycntion pledged themselves TO the country
that no other weapons should be used, and
when il was put down, it followed as Sc
1,,ence, in the Just judgment of the members
of that Conye ention, that "The punishment
due 10 their crimes" should be "awarled to
the rebels and truitOrs arraycd against it,"
Mr.. President, the distinguished Senator
from Wisconsin three times thanked God dur.
ing his speech that Andrew Johnson existed
and held the office that he does. shall three
times three times thank God if he carries out
the provisions or the Baltimore platform rs
expounded by himself ! suppose one reason
for thanking God was the clear vision with
which he saw his duty ami ] am going TO
read now his own understanding, when that
platform was fresh before him, of its mean
ing md either President Johnson entirely
misunderstood its meaning then, or the distln-
ruished Senator from Wisconsin does not in
terpret Il 1 M now. In accepting the nomi-
nation for Vice President of the United Suites,
MIR. Johnson said:-
'.The question Is whether man Is capable OF
self.government. l hold, with Jefferson, that
Government was made for the convenience OF
man, aud not man for Government. The laws
promote his welfare. And hence, from this prin-
ciple, l conclude that Government can and ought
TO be changed and amended to conform to the
wants. TO the requirements, and progress OF the
people, and the enlightened spirit OF the age"
Sir, hold that as the announcement Of a
great and living truth. do not suppose il
ever entered into the heads or hearts OF the
trainers of that glorious instrument, our Con.
stitution, that il was never to be altered
amended or changed to meet the wants aud
exigencics of progressive and advancing
people. II il has SO entered into the heart Of
nv distinguished friend from Wisconsin, why
does he boast now of being the foremost and
first advocate of amending that instrument SO
rs to keep pace with the progress OF the
times? So far, then, indorse most corii-
ally that sentiment which seems to he in un-
ion with the music of the times. But to pro-
ceed:-
"And let me say that now is the time to secure
these fundamental principles, while the land Is
rent with anarchy, and upheaves with the throes
Of mighty revolution"
What greater truth could he announced
than that And the Senate will remember
that this is all under the authority Of the Bal.
timore platform, US understood by It's cx
FOUNDERS
"while society 10 In this disordered state. and
We are seeking security, let us 6x the foundations
tice which will endure for all time"
Most heartily do ], ranking among the radi-
| Gals Of this body-and venture TO speak for
| all who arc thus designated Endorse The sen.
timent of the President Of the United States.
"Bu, In calling . Convention to restore the
State, Who shall restore and ro-sstsblish itf'
A pregnant inquiry and he answered its
"shsll the man Who gave his influence and bis
means to destroy the GOvernmentl Is he to par
| ticpats In the great work Of reorganization
| Shall he who brought this misery upon the State
be permitted to control its destiniesf II this be
So then all this precious blood OF our brave sol.
diers aud officers " freely poured out will have
been wantonly spilled; all the glorious yictorie.
won by our noble armies viii go for naught, and
ell the battle zelda which have been sown with
dead heroes during the rebellion will hsvs been
| made memorable In vaiu.''