American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-03-17
Powerful Letter from RObt. J. " alker.


tive meeting held in New York, on the
22d ult:
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 2e. 1866,-Sime'
on Draper, Esq-Delained from tie
great Union meeting by circumstances
beyond my control, | must address i
geographically. and not as die after the
fall Of Sumpter. President johnson +
veto opens the new campaign in favor o.
the Union. II arrests the overthrow o.
the States and the concentration Of all
power 10 one consolidated military des-
,potism. 1t prevents the expulsion Of
eleven States from the Union, and the
erection Of eleven Irelands within its linn
its, to be controlled and oppressed by
military power. 1t prevents the quarter
ing large standing army and hosts OF
ficias in the South, with an enormous
increase of our debt, to be followed sure-
ly by oppressive taxation, or dishonoring
and disgraceful reputation. ltprevents
the defeat of the plans of the Secretary
of the Treasury for the funding and re-
duction of the public debt. and a safe
and gradual return to specie payments.
Reputation is disgrace and ruin, and the
probable extinction of republican instituo
tons throughout the world.
The result Of large standing armies
and oppressive taxation, caused by the
policy of the Presidents opponents.
would produce an earthquake convulsion.
1t would quadruple the income tax,
blight every field, becalm every vessel.
break every bank and railroad, and ruin
every factory in the country. 1t dis
solves the Union. destroys the Constitu>
ton and erec,s military despo'lsm on
the ruins. 1t would postpone, perhaps
indefinitely, the transfer of the command
OF the commerce and exchange of the
world from Europe to America. Euro
pean despots would exult, while the
friends of freedom in the old world. and
especially in Ireland and Germany, would
weep tears of blood. Johnson is walking
in the footsteps of Jackson and Lincoln
and teaching their sentiments. The
Union shall be preserved. The prolong-
I'd governm ent of eleven States as con-
luered provinces, enforcing taxation
without representation. would permanent
ALLEVIATE the South from the North.
1t might drive them to madness and
despair, and renew civil war when our
credit and resources were exhausted.
We have emancipated, through a great
amendment. carried only
by Johnson's policy, four millions OF ne
,roes.
Let us not attempt TO enslave eight |
Millions Of our white brethren of the South.
They will all welcome death sooner
han such state as this.
| have fought all my life against seces-
ion and disunion at the South, and /
low renew the contest against it in the
North. Congress has no constitutional
over to dissolve the Union; and to con-
Iemn eleven States to territorial pupilage
S a dissolution of the Union. | cannot
70 with Northern or Southern disunionists.
ohnson's policy alone can practically re
tore the Union. 1t has already crushed
he heresy of secession at the South and
t alone has secured a constitutional
majority for he abolition of slavery.
If the beresy Of secession is crushed at
he South. the GROWING glory rests on
he head of Andrew Johnson. Slavery
nd secession-our only discordant ele-
nents-being extirpated, the johnson
olicy will go on conquering and to con-
uer, not by the sword, but by wisdom
md magnanimity. 1t will subdue at the
'outh passions and prrjudices; it will
ouch their hearts and conquer their affec'
onS.
We shall hear no NOR, Of exceptional.
nd individual acts of insubordination
Or we shall have a union of intere st and
Election; a union of States with States.
md not with conquered provinces. We
hall have the union and representation
{ all the Slates, as ord aimed by the Con-
tuition. We shall have cordial. fra
srnsL an ever expanding, an omnipo'enl'
n indissoluble and perpetual union.
Men of the South. from Virginia TO
rxas, close up the ranks, and fight hard
r to get into the Union than you ever
id to get out of it. You fought US un-
er the secession flag with an unsurpass
courage and endurance to get out Of
lie Union. Come now, and reassemble {
ilh us again at the political family altar
t Washington, Come with loyal hearts
nder the flag Of our sires and TO the mu
c Of the Union, and we will give you {
,rdial welcome. The people on whom
obnson has always relied are with him, 6
nd will welcome back all loyal Unionisls
ats 10 both Houses Of Congress