The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-02-26

hat sometimes in great necessities under pre,, 70
unconstitutional things must some ~
times necessarily be done in order to preserve :,
The constitution itself but if, while the rebel n
lion going on the constitution WAS rolled nm \,
and laid away if it was violated in some partiea n
lars, in order the government and air A.
NAV be excused and justified, because in saving !,
the government you really saved the constitu. l :,
ton now that peace has come, now that the !.
war is over, we want again the benefit of writ a
ten constitution, and say the time has come
to take the constitution down. to unrol it, to re-
read, to understand its provisions thoroughly |
and now, In order to save the government, we
must preserve the constitution. Our only safety
is in strict adherence to aud preservation of the
constitution of onr fathers. 1t is now unfolded;l
it must now be read, it must be digested and un.
derssood by the American people. am here
to day, then, in making these remarks to vindi-
cate the constitutc1, and to save it, as believe
1t does seem as il encroachment after encroach-
ment is proposed upon it. As far as l can,
have ever resisted Entertainments upon the con-
sttution, and stand prepared to resist them to-
day, and thereby to preserve the constitution /
and government of the United States IGreat |
applause. 1t is now a time of peace ana let /
us have peace let Us enforce the constitution, |
let US live under and according to its provisions
let it be published and printed in blazing char
acters as though it we're in the heavens and
punctuated by the stars, so that all can read and
| all can understand. Let US consult that instru-
ment, and be guided by its provisions let us
| understand them, and understanding them abide
by them. | tell the opposers OF this government,
! l care not from what quarter they come, east or
| west, north or south, you that engaged in
the work of breaking up the government are
| mistaken. The constitution of the United
| States and the principles offree government are
deeply rooted in the American heart, and all the
powers combined cannot destroy the great in-
strument, that great chart of freedom Their
attempts, though they seem to succeed for a
time, will be futile They might we'll under
take to lock up the winds or chain the waves of
the ocean, and con6ne them within limits. They
might as we'll undertake TO repeal the constitu-
ton, aud indeed it seems now to be supposed
that it can be repealed by a concurrent resolu-
ton laughter But when the question is
submitted TO the popular judgement, and to the
mass of people, these men will find that they
. might as well introduce a resolution to repeal
the law of gravitaton. The attempt TO keep this
Union from being restored is Just about as feast
ole "a would be resistance to the great law Of.
| gravitation which binds all to a common centre.
The grea. law of political gravitation will bring
back these states and restore them to all their
relations to the federal government. Cliques,
and cabals, ana cOnspirscies, anu Vaccinations
! north and south cannot prevent this great con-
. summation. Tremendous applause All that
3 Is wanted is time. Let the American people get
y
: soon manifest their determination. Here, by
| way of explanation, let me say that I would TO
f God the whole American people could be as
I | sembled here to-day as YOU are. | wish there
4 | was vast amphi;beatre here spacious enough
:, TO contain the whole thirty millions and they
could witness the great struggle that is going on
= TO preserve the constitution of their fathers
" They would settle the question if they could
: once see how things are, if they could the
kind of spirit that is manifested in the effort to
break up the real principles Of free government
: when they come to understand who was for them
4 and who was against them, who was for amef-
q | Grating their condition, and who fol elevatng
p them bv preserving their government. If the
: combatants could stand before them, and there
could be a regular set-to between the respective
gladiators, in the FIRST til: that might be made
, YOU would find that the enemies of the country
l would be crushed, and the people would sustain
; its friends, and the friends of constitutional
liberty. iGreat cheering | Iy fellow-citzens,
} | | have detained you much longer than l inten-
ded Go on; go on. But We are in great
struggle and am your instrument, and / have
thought il best to express myself frankly. " hen
ask you. Fave usurped authority? Who is it
, in this country that have toiled and labor
, | ed for: Where il the man woman, either in
. private life or public lie, that has not always
received my attention and my time? Some
times it has been said, pardon me for being a
! little egotistical, but engaged in friend
; ~ and familiar conversation, That man John
| son is lucky Laughter. They can
never defeat him" Laughter Now / will
tell you what constitutes my luck. II is in dong
right and Going for the people. [Great ap
! plause.l The people somehow other
although their sagacity and good judgement are
very frequently moderated, under-estimated
3 generally find out and understand who i:
for them aad who is against them. They do i
, by instinct if in other way. They know thei
, friends; they know 10 whom they can conide-
| 81 f. (,NA Lac hand
: bosom and state with heartfelt satisfaction tina
in all positions in which have been placed
in many that were as trying any in which
8 mortal man has ever been placed. l nave neve
!. deserted them, nor do believe they will deser
0 | me. No, no. Applause.) Whom have | be
g | trayed? What principle have l violated p
r What sentiment have / swerved from Cal
o those who assail me put their fingers upon an
I one? I"No, y "No.'l In all the speeches tina
+ have been made, no one has dared to put hi
A finger upon single principle l ever asserte
: from which l have Geviated. Have YOU no
heard some of them, at some time, attempt t
quote my predecessor, who fell a martyr to hi
! | country s cause But they can give senti
D ment of his that is in opposition to or in contra
II diction to anything that have done. The yer
l. policy that am now pursuing was pursued unde
II my predecessors administration. l having bee
% appointed under him in particular position 70
is that very purpose, Inscrutible Providence SAL
, | proper to remove him from this to trust q be-
q ter world, and came into his place, and Their
A is not principle of his in reference to the re.
!, toration of the Union from which have depa
g ted. None, none Then the war is not sin
- ply upon me, but it is upon my predecessor alsc
- - | have tried to do my duty. know that som
- are envious, aud jealous and speak OF the VIII,
8 House as having attractions FOR the president
{, Let me say TO you, the charms of the Whit
a, House have as little influence upon upo
b any individual in this country, and much les
;? upon me thar upon those who talking abor
il The little that eat and does nc
Dr. amount TO much, and the difference between wins
II is enough to sustain me and my little family