Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1866-03-08
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voice, that's true.) The American
people will speak by their interests
and they will know who are their
friends and who are their enemies.
What positions have / held under
this Government, beginning with
an alderman, and running through
all branches of the Legislature?
CA voice, from tailor up.) Some
gentleman says / have been a
tailor. tremendous applause.
/. Now, that did not discomft ne In
the least, for when / used to be
tailor | had the reputation of be-
ing a good one, and in making
close fits; (great laughter always
punctual with my customers, and
always did good work. Ca voice,
no patch work. No, don't want
any patch work, / want a whole
suit. But l will pass by this lit
tie facetiousness, my friends.
Some may say, You are President,
and you must not talk about such
things when principles are in
volved. My countrymen, when
the existence of my country is i'm
periled, will act as have on former
occasions, and speak what / think.
l was saying that | had held near
ly all positions from alderman
through both branches of Congress
to that which 1 now occupy,
and who is there that will say that
Andrew johnson ever made a
promise he did not fulfil! Whowill
say that he has ever acted other
wise than with fidelity to the great
mass of people? They may talk
about beheading and usurpation,
but when | am beheaded / want
the American people to witness it.
| don't want, by inuendos, by indi-
rect remarks in high places, to see
the man who has assassination
brooding in his bosom, exclaim,
This Presidential obstacle must be
gotten out of the way! 1 make
use of very strong expression
when | say that l have no doubt
the intention was to incite assas-
sination and get out of the way
the obstacle from place and DOW
er, whether by assassination or
not. There are individuals in this
Government, / doubt not, who
would destroy our institutions, and
change the character of the Gov
ernment. Are they not satisfied
with the blood which has been
shed? Does not the murder of
Mr.. Lincoln appease the vengeance
and wrath Of the opponents of this
Government? Are they still un-
slaked? Do they still want more
blood? Have they not got honor
and courage enough to obtain their
objects otherwise than by the
hands of the assassin? mo, mol
l am not afraid of assassins at
tacking me, when brave, coura-
geous man would attack another.
| only dread him when he goes in
disguise-his footsteps noiseless.
If 1t is blood they want let them
have courage to strike like men. /
know they are willing to wound,
but they are afraid to strike. Zap
plause.) If my blood is to be
shed because | vindicate the Union
and preservation of this Govern
ment in its original purity and
chastity, let it be shed. Let an
altar to the Union be erected and
then if it is necessary lay me upon
1t, and then the blood that now
warns and animates my existence
shall be poured out as a fit libation
to the union Of these States.
Great applause.) But let the
opponents of this Government re-
member that when it is poured out
the blood of the martyrs will be
the seed of the church. (Cheers.)
Gentlemen, this Union will grow.
1t will continue to increase in
strength and power though it may
be cemented and cleansed with
blood. ! have talked longer now
than / intended. Let me thank
you for the honor you have done
me. So far a. this Government
is concerned, let me say one other
word in reference to the amend
ments to the constitution Of the
United States. When I reached
Washington for the purpose Of be-
ing inaugurated as Vice Presidens
Of the United States, ] had a eon-