The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-05-02

NIT representation, what do we mean
| We simply mean representation in the con.
stltutlonal and law-abiding manner, which
has been since we were united at the be-
ginning of the government. The COnstitu-
ton declares ineXpress terms that the Sen
ate and House of Representatives, each
acting for itself, shall be the Judge of the
returns Of elections and the qualifications
OF Its own members, and to settle that ques-
ton under the Constitution and solemn
sanction of an oath. Can We believe that
either House will admit any members into
Its body to participate in the legislation of
the country who have not been qualified.
They have the power, not the two alone,
but each one Of the Houses for itself. The
! Constitution further declares that TO State
shall be deprived of equal suffrage in the
Senate OF the United States, without it's
| consent. Wherenow do we stand? All
that we have need Of to finish the great
work of restoration is for the two Houses
respectfully to decide the question. But
some one will say traitor might come in.
The answer to that is, that each House
must be the Judge of it, aud ifa traitor
presents himself, cannot help it. The
House will know that he is a traitor. Can
they not kick him out of doors, and send
him back, saying to the people who sent
him, You must send us a loyal man 90
tChccrs.1 Is there any difficulty about
thats mo, no, and cheers. II a traitor
presents himself to the other House, cannot
that House say to him, mo, you cannot be
admitted into this body, go back; we will
not deny your people the right ofrepresen-
tatiOn, but they must send a, loyal Repre-
sentative" [Cheers.l And when the
States do send loyal representatives can
you have any better fidelity to the consti-
tuition and laws, There is no one learned
IN the constitution and laws who will say
that if traitor happens to get into Con-
gress, that body cannot expel him after he
gets in. That makes assurance doubly sure
and conforms the action of the Government
to the Constitution of our fathers. Hence
] say let US stand by that Constitution, and
in standing by it tho Government will he
preserved.
While / have been contending against
traitors and secession and the dissolution of
the Union, have been contending at the
same time against the consolidation of
power. Hence | think solidation of power
is equally dangerous with separation
Cheers. The one would run into anar-
chy, while the other would concentrate and
end i'll anarchy. But there is an idea
abroad that one man can be an usurper
Mr.. jefferson tells us, and so does common
sense, that tyranny and despotism can be
exercised by many more vigorously than
by one. What power has your President
|N ott Ml,n+ H. L.
he originate? Why he exercises the veto
power. [ Laughter What is the veto
power! A voice, put down the niger.
Who is your Presidents [Seyeral voices,
Andy johnson Is he not elected by the
peoples The President is the tribunal of
the people. In olden times when the tri-
Dunes, Were first elected in. the Roman Re
public, the people chose a tribune and
placed him at the doors of.the Senate, so,
that when that body ventured an oppres-
siye ,act. he was clothed with thefpower to
say, veto, forbid " ~
Your President now is the tribune of the
people. thank God am, and intend
to assert the power which the people have
placed in me. q Cheers Your President
standing, here day after day, and dischar-
cling his duty, is like horse on a tread
wheel, and because he does differ in opin-
ion in regard to public measures he must
be denounced as an usurper and tyrant.
Can he originate anything under the veto
Power? think the veto power conserva-
tive in its character, and affirm that all that
can be done in the veto power is to say,
when Legislation is hasty and unwise and
unconstitutional stop action until it can
be submitted to the people and let them
consider whether it is right or wrong. APP
plause.] That is all there is in it. Hence
[ say that tyranny and power can be exer-
cised somewhere else than by the execu-
tive. He is powerless. ALI that he can
do is to check legislation, and to hold it in
state of allegiance until the people can
consider and understand what is being done
then what has been done have done what
conscience, I believe, required me to do.
[Applause] And, so believing, intend
to stick to my position, relying on the
judgement and the intelligence of the peo-
Pile, the soldiers and sailors expressly
[Cheers.] Then, for my life, I cannot see
where there is any tyranny, 1t is very
easy to impugn motives and suspect the
President and the best acts of q mans life.
If you come forward and propose a certain
thing, your motives are suspected and con-
demened and if you Withhold your opinion
you are regarded as being opposed tc the
matter, SO that it is very hard to move one
way or the other, SO far as certain persons
are concerned. In the American people is
my hope for the salvation Of the country,
] am with you soldiers, sailors and citizens.
Who has sacrificed or perilled more. Has
not my all been put upon it? My life, my
everything sacred and dear to me
has been staked upon il, and can | now be
suspected of faltering at the close of this
third ordeal of the nation? Where is he, in
public Or private life who has sacrificed more
orIhas devoted bis life and energies to the ac-
of the great end, than have
done from the promptings of my own heart?
l believed it was right and with your hearts
and your countenances, and your encour-
agement. shall go through on that line.
Cheer and laughter. And when / come
to talk to sailors and soldiers about this to
be done and that to be done, all ! want is
for you to wait and see if | don't stand by
you, although every other man may falter
ind fail--[Cheers.] Iwant to see measure
Of policy brought forward that will advance
The interests Of the people, of that portion
Of the people who constitute the gallant, |
brave men, who, in both branches of the
service, have upheld the national flag and
restored the country in the recent strug-
gle.
thank you. gentlemen, for the encour-
,gement. | thank you for your counter
inces on this occasion. 1t cheers me on |
and gives me strength to perform the work
before me. If we are true to ourselves, it |
Is not far distant when this government will
De restored. Let us go on and restore the
government. Let US enlarge the area of
our commerce and trade, and let us not only |
inspire confidence at home, but respect
abroad, by letting the nation reassume its
career Of greatness. | know that some
will find fault with me, and say | am too