The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-04-13
PRESIDENT JOHNsoN's RECORD.

Below we give tho speech Of Mr.. johnson at
Nashville, accepting tho nomination Of tho
Baltimore Convention. 1t will be found
healthy reading, and We invite comparison with
his acts since murder and treason elevated him
to the Presidency. Is 1t possible that the
johnson Of to-day IL tho same man who uttered
the following brave words, words which, it ho
has not betrayed them us he claims, he did not
believe, and did not mean should reflect his true
sentiments? Judge yc:
The question Is whether man is capable OF
self government? ! hold with Jefferson at
government was made for the convenience of
man, and not man for government. The laws
and constitutions wcro designed as instruments
10 promote his welfare. And hence, from tins
principle conclude that Government can and
ouqhi 10 be changed and amended 10 conform 10
The ,raniS. 10 the requirements and progress and
The enlightened spirit Of The age. cloud np-
plause.) Now, il any OF your secessionis,s
have lost faith in mans ability for self govern.
ment, and feel unfit for the exercise OF thus
great right, 90 straight 10 rebeldom, and hie
JEFF Darts, Beauregdrd and Bragg for ycw
masters. and pm heir collars on your neeks.
And let me say that nop is Me time 10 secure
these fundamental principles, while the land IL
rent with anarchy and upheayes with the thrues
of mighty revolution. While society is IN
this disordcrcd state and we are seeking securi-
", US fr fhe foundations Of the GorGnment
on principles OF eternal justice mhieh ,eW oi-
due for all time. There 10 an element in our
midst who are for perpetuating the institution
of slavery. Let mo cay to you Tennesseans
and men from the Northern States, that slavery
IL dead. IL was not murdered by mo. tod
YOU long ago what tho result would be, IL y'u
cndcavurcd to go out OF the Union to save ga
very and that tho result would be bloodshend,
raplnc, devastated fields, plundered villages and
cities and, Therefore, urged you to remain IN
the Union. In trying to save slavery you killed
il, and lost your freedom. Your slavery ~
dead, but ! did not murder il. As Macbeth
said to B,nquo's bloody ghost
"Neyer shake ,iy g1ry inck. at me,
Thou cAnyt not say dill H."
Slavery is dead, and you mnst pardon ine u
do not mourn over its dead body. You can
bury it out Of sight. In restoring the State,
leave out that disturbing and dangerous tlc-
mcnt. and use only those parts oi tho nachin'ty
which will move IN harmony.
Bm an calling CoErsnhon 10 restore he
STATE, Irh0 shall restore and rc.estoblih a.
Shall tie maa ,cho gare has influence and has
means Z, Ac1rOy hs GOrrnmsni? L, h. 10
r,,,i,,po,e in he great work of re organic
non? ShoH he who brought ihY misery uyor
tc State be permitted 10 control its desiinMN'
Tthrs 10 50, then all this precious blood Of our
b,dre scid,crs and officers So trceiy poured ow,
miH har: t,m moniOniy spilled. An The gio.
rious riciories mon hy our noble ARMIES rW 90
for nanghi, ord all The bdiiie: felds rhich hcrc
been soicn rnh dead heroes during The rebe'li""
'ciR hare been made memorable an pdin. :.
Why all this carnage and devastation! ~
was that treason might be put down ana ,rai-
tors punished. Therefore | cay that traitors
should tako back seat in tho work o, fe''ora'
ton. If there bs but Eve thousahd men ~
Tennessee loyal to tho Constitution, loyal 10
freedom, loyal to justice, ihcse 'r"" "nu 'a''-
ful mon should control tho work OF ie'orsani,
zation and reformation absolutely. Long anu
prolonged applause. say that tho uaitor
has ceased 10 be- n ci'izen, and IN joining ,no
rebellion, has become public enemy ITO
forfeited his right to vote with loyal men whsh
no rcnounccd his citizenship and sought 10 de.
stroy our Government. We say to the most
honest and industrious foreigners who come
from England or Germany to dwell among ns'
and to add to the wealth OF tho country, d.
fore you can be citizen, you must say r,r.
FIVE years." II we ars 30 cauuou, .,ais homes
eisners, who voluntarily rcn9Ince co '". ~ % the
Ia live with US, what should VIC 10y W
tito, wbo. although born and reared among
aa',o,' ' @ ,,;Soa 49, a parricidal hand against tho
CS, Gn,"rnmant r0 % which has always protected him
s,, ;nd"mrnt i. that hs should be subjected to
ssysrs ordeal before he 10 restored to citizen