Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1866-03-03

l.
though my enemies may lraduce, sIander,
and VIluperale, may say. that has no
force.
In addition 10 this, do not. intend 10
be governed by real or pre- ended friends,
nor do iorend to be boiled by my enc
mics. Cheers. An honest conviction
is my su,tenance, the Constitution my
guide. | know, my counlrymen, that il
has been nsinualcd-Day, SAID directly,
in high pIaces--lhat If su'h usurpalion
of pnv or had been exercised two hund.
Eed years ago, 10 particular rcigns, il
would have cost an individual his head.
What usurparion has Andrew Johnson
been guilty Of :? Cheers and cries of
."Noue.' My only usurpaion has
been committed by standing between tie
people aud the encroachments of power.
And because dared say in a conversation
with q lctlow.cIrizen and a Senator TOO,
that thought amendments to the Con
stliurIon ought not 10 be so frequent, lest
the instrument lose all its sanct!ry and
dignity, and be wholly lost sight of ia a
short time, and because | happened TO
say in convei saiion that thought that
such and such an amendment was all that
ought to be adopted, II was said that |
had suggested such asurpalion of power
as would have cost king his head in
certain period In connection with this
subject, one has eXclaimed that we are in
The "midrt Of earthquakes and he Uem-
hled.' Yes, tbrre is an earthquake ap.
preaching, there is grounds well coming
OF popular Judgment end Indignation.
The American people will speak, and by
their instinct, if in no other way, know
who are their friends, when and where
and in whatever position standard ]
have occupied nany positions in the Gov
jernmeDt, going through both branches Of
the Legislature. Some gentleman here
behind me says, And was tailor"
Lqughler. Now, that cont affect me
N The least. When | was a tailor al
ways made close fl and was always
tpunctual 10 my customers, and did good
work.
A voice. No patchwork.
The President. No, did not want
any patchwork, But we pass by this d.
gression. lnlimalions have been thrown
rul-and when principles are involved
and the existence Of my country imperll.
led, ] will, as on former occasions, speak
hat think Yes Cost him his head!
Usurpaion When and where have |
been guilty Of this ? Where is the man
in all the positions have occupied, from
that of Alderman to the Vice Presidency,
who can say That Andrew Johnson ever
made ledge that he did not redeem, or
ever made promise lha. he violated, or
that he acted with laIsily TO the people
They NAV talk about beheadlng, but
when | am heheaded want the Amer-
can people 10 be the witness. Cheers.
| do rot want by innuendoes OF an indi-
rec, character in high places 10 have one
say to a man who has assassination broiI-
ing in his heart, "lhere is a fl subject"
and also eXclaim that the "Presidenlal
obstacle" must be got out Of the way,
when possibly the intention was to insli.
tote assassination. Are those who want
10 destroy our institutions and change the
character Of the Government not satisfied
with the blood that has been shed Are
they not satisfied with one martyr? Does
not The blood of Lincoln appease the ven.
geance and wrath of the opponents Of this
Government Is their thirst sill un-
slaked ? Do they want more blood i
Have they not honor and courage enough
TO effect the removal of the Presidential
obstacle otherwise than through the hands |
of The assassin ! | am not afraid of as.
sassins; but if it must be, would wish
10 be encountered where one brave man
can oppose another. hold him in dread
only who strikes cowsrdly. But if they |
have courage enough TO strike like men,
q know they are willing 10 wound, but
they are afraid 10 strlke;) il my blood is
to be shed because | vindicate the Union
and the preservation OF this Government /
in its original purity and character. let
be so; but when ii is done, let an altar Of
the Union be erected, and then, If neces-
sary, lay me upon it, and The blood that
now warns and snimates my frame shal!
be poured out in last libation as
tribute TO the Union, great cheering;
and let the opponents OF this Government
remember that when it is poured out, the
blood of the martyr will be the seed OF
The church. The Union will grow. Il
will continue TO increase in strength and
power, though it may be cemented and
cleansed with blood.
have talked lolger, my countrymen.