The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-02-24
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH.

to read the following concluding portion OF
his speech, delivered to the great meeting Of
citizens held in Washington on the 22d. We
speech in full, but we think this portion of it
will satisfy all readers, that Stevens's bullying
is likely to have but little effect on this .fn,an
of the people,:
I said to the Senate, in the very inception
of the rebellion, that the States had no right
to go out, and that they had no power to go
out That question has been settled, and |
cannot turn round now and give the direct
lie to all / profess to have done in the last
four years. Lauhgter and applause.1
say that when they comply with the con-
stitution-when they have given sufficient
evidence of loyalty, and that they can be
trusted-when they yield obedience to the
law-I say extend to them the right hand oil
fellowship, and let peace and union be re-
stored. Long cheers. But then, gentlemen,
as we swing round the circle, l have fought
traitors and treason in the South. | opposed
Davis and Toombs and the Slidells, and long
list of others, whose names need not repeat;
and now, when / turn round at the other end
of the line, find men-I care not by what
name you call them a voice, call them trail
tors who still stand opposed to the restora-
ton of the union of these States, and | am
free to say to you that | am still for the resto-
ration of this Union. | am still in favor of
this great government of ours going on and
following out its destiny A voice, give us
the names
A gentleman calls for their names. Well,
suppose | should give them. A voice. ave
know them."l look upon them repeat it,
as President or as citzen-as much opposed
to the fundamental principles of this Govern
ment, and believe they are as much laberlng
to peryert or destroy them as were the men
who fought against us. voice: "What ars
the names?" | say Thaddeus Stevens, of Penn
sylvania. Tremendous applause. say Charles
Sumner. CGreat applause l say Wendell
Phillips, and others Of the same stripe, are
among them. A voice: "Give 1t to Forney. ]
Some gentleman in the crowd says give 1t
to Forney. have only to say, that | do not
waste my ammunition upon dead ducks,
Laughter and applause Island for my coun-
try; I stand for the constitution, where placed
my feet from my entrance into public life.
They may traduce me; they may SANDER me;
they NAV vituperate; but let me say to you
that it has no eject upon me. Cheers.
And let me say in addition, that | do not
intend to be bullied by my enemies. APP
plause, and cry of, "the people will sustain
you
1 know, my countrymen, that it has been
insnuated, and not only insinuated but said
decidedly-the insnuation has been given in
high places-that if such usurpation of power
had been exercised, he would have Just Ger
tain person beheaded.
What usurpation has Andrew johnson
been guilty of None, none. The usurpa-
ton I have been guilty of has always been
standing between the people and the encroach-
ment OF power. And because | dared say in
a conversation with fellow-eitizen, and
Senator too. that I thought amendments to
the constitution might not be SO frequent
That their effect would be that it would lose
all its dignity. That the old instrument
would be lost sight of in short time.
Because I happened to say, in converse
ton. that if it was amended, such and such
amendments should be adopted, it was usnr-
patton of power that would have cost king
his head, at certain time. Laughter and
applause. And in connection with this sub
ject, it was explained by the same gentleman
"that we were in the midst of earthquakes
that he trembled, and could not yield"
[Laughter.1
Yes there is an earthquake coming-thsre
is ground swell coming of popular Judge
ment and indignation. That's true. The
American people will speak by their instincts,
who their enemies.
I have occupied all positions under this
government, beginning with an alderman, and
running through all branches of the Legisla-
ture. IA voice: "From tailor up."l
Some gentleman says | have been tailor
Tremendous applause Now that did not
discomfort me in the least; for when used to
be a tailor, l had the reputation of being
good one, and of making close fits. [Great
laughter Always punetpal with my Gus
toners, and always did good work, IA voice,
"No patchwork" No, don't want any
patchwork want whole suit. But we
will pass by this little RIGHTEOUSNESS.
My friends may say, You are president;
you must not talk about such things. When
principles are involved, my countrymen-
when the existence of my country even is inn
perilled-I will act as l have on former occa-
sions, and speak what think.
| was saying that had held nearly all po-
sitions-from alderman through both branches
of Congress to that which | now occupy; and
who is there that will say that Andrew John
son ever made pledge that he did not re-
deem, or made a promise he did not fulfil
who will say that he has ever acted other
wise than in fidelity to the great mass of the
people?
They may talk about bsheading and usur-
patton, but when | am beheaded | want the
American people to be the witness do not
want, by inuendoes-by indirect remarks in
high places, to see the man who has asSassna-
ton brooding in his bosom exclaim: This
Presidential obstacle must be gotten out Of
the way I make use of very strong ex-
preston, when say that have no doubt the
intention was to incite assassination, and so
get out of the way the obstacle from place
and power Whether by assassination or not,
there are individuals In this government who