Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1866-03-02

L
ton of this Government in its original
purity and character, let it be so; bu
when it is done, let an altar of the Union
be erected, and then, If necessary, la,
me upon it, and the blood that now warns
and animates my frame shall be poured
out in last libation as tribute to til,
Union, [great cheering, and let the OPP
ponents Of this Government remembe
that when it is poured out, the blood o
the martyr will be the seed of the church
The Union will grow. 1t will continu,
to increase in strength and power, though
it may be cemented and cleansed with
blood.
have talked longer, my countrymen,
than intended. With many acknowl-
edgments for the honor you have done
me, | will say one word in reference to
the amendments to tho Constitution of
the United States. Shortly after |
reached Washington for the purpose of
being inaugurated Vice President, had
conversation with Mr.. Lincoln. We
were talking about the condition of af-
fairs, and in reference to matters in my
own State. I said we had called a con-
vention and demanded a constitution
abolishing slavery in the State, which
provision was not contained in the Pre-
sdent's proclamation. This met with
his appreciation and he gave me encour-
agement. In talking upon the subject
of amendments to the Constitution, he
said, "when the amendment to the Con-
stitution now proposed is adopted by
hree-fourths of the States, | should be
pretty nearly or quite done as regards
forming amendments to the Constitution
If there should be one other adopted"
[ asked what that other amendment sug-
gested was, and he replied, 81 have Ia
bored to preserve this Union. l have
toiled four years. have been subject
ed to calumny and misrepresentation,
and my great and sole desire has been to
preserve these States intact under the
Constitution, as they we're before; and
there should be an amendment to the
Constitution which would compel the
States to send their Senators and Repre-
sentatives to the Congress of the United
States" He saw as part Of the doctrine
Of secession that the States could, if
they were prepared, withdraw their Sc
majors and Representatives; and he wish
ed to remedy this evil by the adoption Of
the amendment suggested. Even that
portion Of the Constitution which differs
from other organic law says that no State
shall be deprived of its representation.
We now find the position taken that
States shall not be recognized; that we
will impose taxation and where taxes
are to be imposed the Representatives
elect from thence are met at the door,
and told: "No; you must pay taxes,
but you cannot participate in Govern
ment which is to affect you for all time. "
Is this just Voices, "No! Nor
We see then where we are going. re-
peat | am for the Union. am for pre-
serving all the States TsAy may have
erred. but let us admit those into the
councils of the nation who are unmis-
takably loyal. Let the man who ac-
knowledges allegiance to the Govern
ment, and swears to support the Consti-
tuition, Che cannot do this honestly unless
he is loyal no amplification Of the oath
can make any difference; it is mere de-
tail, which | care nothing about;) let
him be unqucstionably loyal to the Con-
stitution Of the Unitod States and its
Government, and willing to support it in
it's peril, and am willing to trust him
| know that some do not attach so much
Importance to the principle as | do. One
principle that carried us through the
Revolution was, that there should be no
taxation without representation. l hold
that that principle which was laid down
by our fathers for the couutry's good
then is important to its good now. If it
was worth battling for then it is worth
battling for now. 1t is fundamental, and
should be preserved SO long as our
Government lasts I know it was said
by some during the rebellion that the
Constitution had been rolled up as a
piece of parchment, and should be put
away, and that in time of rebellion there
was no Constitution. But it is now
unfolding it must now be read and ad-
justed and understood by the American
people.
l come here to-day to vindicate, in so
far as | can in these remarks, the Con-
stitution to save it, as / believe, for 1t
does seem that encroachmeDt after en-
croachment is to be pressed; and as ]
resist entertainments on the Government,
I stand to-day prepared TO resist en-
croachments on the Constitution, and
thereby preserve the Government. 1t is
now peace, and let us have peace. Let
us live under and by its provisions. Let
it be published in blazoned characters,
as though it were in the heavens, SO that
all may read and all may understand it
Let us consult that instrument, and,
understanding its principles, let us apply
them. tell the opponents of this Gov
eminent. and care not from what quar-
ter they come, East or West, North or
South, "you that are engaged in the work
of breaking up this Government are mis-
taken. The Constitution and the prin.
ciples of free government are deeply
rooted in the American heart" All the