Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-03-07

Government in order to get clear of that
peculiar institution of the South. l say
these things because l desire to talk
plainly and in familiar phraseology.
assume nothing here to-day beyond the po-
sition of of citizen-one who has been
pleading for his country and the preser-
vation of the Constitution. These two
parties, say, were arrayed against each
other, and l stand here before you to day
for the Union as | stood in the Senate of
the United States in 1860 and 1861. L
met there those whose were making war
upon the Constitution, those who wanted
to disrupt the Government, and L de-
nounced them in my place, then and
there, and exposed their true character.
said that those who were engaged in the
work of breaking up the Government
were traitors. l have never ceased, on
all proper occasions, to repeat that senti-
ment, and as far as my efforts could 60,
have endeavored to carry it out. l have
Just remarked that there are two parties,
one of which approves and indorses the
policy that has been adopted, and Is in
tended to restore the glorious Union OF
these States, and their original relations
to the Government of the United States.
This seems to be day peculiarly adapted
to such a manifestation-the day that
gave birth to him who founded this Gov
ernment, the Father of his Country OF
him who stood at the head of this Gov
ernment. Then all these States entered
into this Union.
Mr.. johnson then referred briefly to
the conduct of General Jackson in 1888;
denounced as traitors those who attempt
ed to destroy the country, and reiterated
his determination to stand by the coun-
trv and Con stitution. He thought that
in considering the question of reconstruc-
ton we should not deal with the white
people in spirit of revenge. The South
had acknowledged its allegiance to the
Government and he was ready to open
the doors of the Union and restore them
to their former relations. He said: There
is no one who has labored harder than
have to have the principal, conscious and
intelligent traitors brought to justice, to
have the law vindicated, and the great
fact vindicated that treason is crime
Yet, while conscious, intelligent traitors
are to be punished, should whole States,
communities and peoples be made to sub.
NIT and bear the same penalty OF death
Let them become loyal and willing sup
porters and defenders of our gloriou:
stripes and stars, and the Constitution oi
our country. Let their leaders, the con-
scious, intelligent traitors suffer the PEN
atty of the law, but for the great mass
who have been forced into this rebellion
and misled by their leaders, l say leni
ency, kindness, trust and confidence.
The rebellion is put down by the strong
arm of the Government, but we are
scarcely out of one,rebellion before we are
almost in the midst of another rebellion
There is an attempt to concentrate the
power of the Government in the hands
of a few, and thereby bring about con
solidation which is equally dangerous ano
Objectionable with separation. z4aT
Sometimes revolutions most disastrous
to country are effected without shed
ding blood. The substance of our Gov
ernment may be taken away, leaving on
| w a formidable shadow. We lind that II
fact by an irrepressible central directory
nearly all the powers of government are
assumed, and without even consulting th'
legislative or executive departments o.
| the Government. ... ....-
By resolution, reported by Commit
tee upon whom all the legislative powe
of the Government has been conferred
that principle in the Constitution which
authorizes and empowers each branch o
the legislative department to be judge
of the election and qualifications Of 1t
own members, has been virtually takeI
away from these departments and con
ferred upon a committee who must re
port before they can act under the Con
stitution and allow members duly elected
to take their seats.
By this rule they assume there mus
be laws passed, that there must be rec
ognition in respect to State in the Un
ion, with all its political relations re
stored, before the respective Houses o
Congress, under the Constitution, shal
Judge of the election and qualification
of its own members.
Your have struggled four years to pu
down the rebellion. You denied in tn
: beginning that any State had the righ
to 90 out of the Union, and it has bee
settled that it has neither the right no
the power to go out of the Union, an
when you have settled that by the execU
tive and military power of the Govern
ment, and by the public judgment, Yo
out, and shall not come in.
am free to say to you asyour Executiv
that am not prepared to take any sue
position. l cannot turn around now an
give the direct lie to all profess to hav
, done in the last five years. When thes
; States comply with the Constitution
. when they yield obedience to the laws,
say extend to them the right hand OF fe
, lowship, and let peace reign. And sa
. that when these States comply with th
Constitution, when they have given sutf
, cient evidence of their loyalty, and this
they can be trusted, when they yield OBJ
dience to the law, l say extend to thel
. the right hand of fellowship, and Il
: peace and Union be restored.
} But these gentlemen, l have fought ira
, tors and treason in the South; oppose
, the Davises, and Toombses, and Slidell
T and long list of others, whose names
> need not report; and now, when tur
{ round at the other end of the line, fin
. men, care not by what name you ca
= them, "a voice-"call them traitors,
: who stillstand opposed to the restoratio
: lof the Union of these States, and al
Z free to say to you that am still for II
preservation of this compact.
am still for the restoration OF tn
= Union. / am still in favor of this gre
al Government of ours living and followir
out its destiny. "a voice, "giye US Il
!. names.") A gentleman calls for the
= names; well, suppose should give then
| IA voice, "We know them."l look a
!, on them, repeat it, as President or ell
> zen, as much opposed to the fundamel
I tai principles of this Government, an
r believe they are as much laboring to pr
vent or destroy them, as were the me
g who fought against US. A. voice, Nv q
are the names 3") say Thaddeus st
5 yens, of Pennsylvania, tremendous a
!, plause y I say Charles Summer, lgFe
E applause y 1 say Wendell Phillips, ar
|. others of the same stripe, all among
i them. "A voice. "Giye it to Forney.
). Some gentleman in the crowd says gl'
, it to Forney. l have only just to say, tn
|, | do not waste my ammunition upC
. dead ducks. Laughte and applause
l stand for my country l stand for u
q Constitution, where 1 placed my fe
= from my entrance into public life. Th'
d may traduee me, they may slander, the
IS may Vituperate; but let me say to yC
q that it has no effect upon me: ,(Cheer.