Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-03-07

nv own State. l said that we had called
convention, and had amended our constit,
ton by abolishing slavery in that State
State not embraced in his proclamation. Th
met his appreciation and gave him encourage
mcnt aud in talking upon the amendment
the Constitution, he said:
"When the amendment to the Constitu
ton is adopted by three fourths of the States
we shall bave all, or pretty near all, | am j.
favor of amending in'the Constitution" ~
there was one other adopted" said he. "Wha
is that, Mr.. President" said I. II have Ia
bored to preserve the union of these State
intact under The Concttu.ion ao they wer
before" "But," said |, " MIR. President
what amendment do you refer TO-" He sai'
he thought there should be al amendmen
added to the Constitution which would com
pei all the States to send their Senators ant
Representatives to the Congress ofthe United
States. Yes, compel them. The idea wa
in his mind that it was part of the doctrine
of secession to break up the government b!
the States withdrawing their Senators ant
Representatives from Congress, and, there
fore, be desired a constitutional amendment
to compel them TO- be sent. Now, how doe:
tho matter stand in the Constitution Of the
country? Evon that portion of it Which pro
vides for the amendment of the organic law
says that 10 State shall Bio deprived Of liz
representation in Congress. Now, what do
we find? The position taken that the, Staies
shall not be represented; that we may i'm.
pose taxes thar we send our tax gatherera
to every region aud portion of State; that
tue people are to be oppressed with taxes,
but when they como here to participate in tie
gislation of the country they are tod,
:: You must pay your taxes; you must bear
the burden Of the government, but you must
not participate in the legislation Of the coun-
try which is TO effect YOU for alltilne to come
I. this Just? Then, say, lot uS admit into
the councils of the nation those who are un-
n.istakaoly and uncquivocally loyal; those
men who acknowledge their allegiance to the
government and swear to supportlh The Consti-
tntion. II is oil embraced i'll that; the am
plifcation of an cath makes no difference, if
man is not bya, but you may adopt " hat
ever test oath yoa please to prove their loyalty.
While The rebellion was going on, the Con-
sLilution vas rolled up rs a piece of psrch-
ment. If it was violated in some particulars
to save the government, there may have been
some excuse to justify it; but now that peace
is come, war is over, we want written Con-
stitution, and / say the time has come TO take
tho Constitution down, unrollit, und under
stand its PROVISIONS. come here to y!ndi-
cate tho Constitution ard to save.it, Tor il
does seem to me that cncroachment after eu
croachmcnt is proposed. stand to-day pre-
pared, so far as can, to resist these cncroach
ments upan the Constitution and government
Itell the opponents Of this government, l
care not from whst quarter they come, you
who are engaged in the work of breaking up
tue government, by amendments 10 the Con-
stitutiou, that the principles of free govern
ment are deeply rooted into the American
heart. All the powers combined, care not
Of what character, cannot destroy that great
instrument, the great charter of freedom
I4e,.-rnr,,-- sce,r--to, nneoaedz for q time, but
their attempts will be futile. They may
think now that it can be done by concur
rent resolution. but when it's submitted to
tie popular judgment and the popular will,
they will fad that they might as we'll have
undertaken to introduce resolution to re-
peal the laws Of gravity as keep this Union
from being restored. It just about as pos
sible to resist the great law Of gravita;ion,
which binds all to common centre. as that
great law which will bring back tn, Sc States
to their regular relations with the Union.
I have detained you longer than | intended.
A Vo;,o Eo ou
I've are in great struggle. I am your in.
s!rumcnt. Who is there that have not
toied and laborcd for? Wllerc is the 'ran
Or woman either, in public or private life, who
hrs not always received my attention or time ?
They say that man johnson is q lucky man ;
that no man can defeat me. will tell you
what constitutes good luck. 1t is due to do
right and for the people. That is what coo-
stitutcs good luck. Some hour or other the
people will Gnd out and understand who is
for and who is against them. l have been
placed in as many trying positions as any
mortal was ever placed in, and SO far / have
not deserted the people, and belierc they
will not desa-t me. What principle have |
violated? What sentiment have swcrvcd
from?e Can they put their finger upon it.
Have you heard th3m point out any discrep
ancy? Have you beard them quote my pre-
;leccssor, who fell martyr to his country's
cause as going in opposition OR contradiction
to what have done?
The very policy that an now pursuing
was pursued by me under his administration,
having been appointe by him in particu-
lar position for that purpose. An inscrutable
Providence saw proper to remove him from
this to, trust, better world, and came
into his place; and there is notN principle OF
his In reference to the restoration of the
Union from which have departed Then
the war is not simply uponm me, but-itis upon
my predecessor. ] have tried to domy DUTY.
know that some are envious and jealous,
and speak d the White5House as having at
fractions for the President. Let me soy to
YOU the charms Of the White House have as
little influence upon me as upon any individ.
ual in the country, and much less tbnn upon
those who are talking about it. The differ
ence between the little chat sulfceS my
stomach and back is more than enough, and
has no charms for me-. The proud and con-
scious satisfaction of having performed my
Quty to IVY couu't5' W my ~
the inner man, is all the reward ask.
(Grest applause.
In conclusion, let me ask tbisva concourse
here to day, this sea Of upturhed faces, TO
come With mo, or will go with you and
stand around the Constitution of our coun-
try. It is again unioldea. The people are
invited TO read and understand, sustain and
maintain its provisions. = Let us stand by tho
Constitution Of our forcfathers. Though the
heavens fall; though factions should rage, !
though taunts and jeers may come though
abuse and vituperstion may be passed out N
the most virulent form, / mean to be stand.
iag By the Constitution, as the chief ark OF
our safety as the palladium Of our civil and
our religious liberty. Tes,'let us cling to it
as tho mariner clings to the last plank when
the night and tempest close around him. Let