The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-03-31
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President Johnson's Platform of lse4

IU tA1S34P2As y SSAsAoOh H1otlOfn iOAiAoO4 af
n A few months ago when we remembered
President Johnson's platform upon which he so
boldly stood in June 1854, we were amazed that
the Democrats-especially those who opposed
the war and affiliated with the South could
speak so highly Of him or hug him so closely
and so prematurely. And now what were
some of the planks in the platform? 1t is
really worth while to investigate this matter
little and spread it before the people, and
I especially commend it to the notice of all
q 4cs-rr>a---1rA1;t;cians--o those who svmra-
thize with secession. The President may not
be so friendly to the @copper-fastenedv Demo-
Gratis as they fondly imagine, or, If he is, he
may betray them as he must have BETRAYED
those who placed him in power; for his favor
and friendship for such politicians and fur
nish evidence to all candid minds and loyal
hearts that he has apostatized from the path
ne once proclaimed to the true Union men of
the country. guee ..6 n0H L % sd1
But let us see whathe said when he accept
ed the nomination of Vice President in June
1854 We have room but for a few extracts
from his speech delivered on that occasion,
although we might fill column with others
of the same tenor. He says: r 4 'iacii
The question is, whether man is capable of
selfgovemment? hold with Jefferson that
government was made for the convenience of
man, and hoffman for government. The laws
and constitutions were designed as instru-
ments to promote his welfare. And hence.
from this princspte,,I conclude that Govern
| naents can and ought TO be changed and
amended to conform to the todsts. to the re-
qnsrernents and progress Of the people, aud
the enlightened spirit of the age. Loud ap-
plause.I Now, II any of your secessionists
have lost faith in mems capability for selEgov-
eminent, and feel unfit for the exercise OF this
great right, go straight to rebeldom, take,Jeff.
Davis, Beauregard, and Bragg for your mas
ters, and put their collars on your necks. NJ.
Again he says, "Slayery is dead, and let us
fix the foundation of the Government ON
principles of eternal justice which win endure
for all time" What these principles of eter-
naljustice" are the loyal people understand,
and are determined to maintain, against all
opposition Come from what quarter it may. = I
When speaking of restoring his. own State
he used the following significant language:
But in calling Convention to restore the
State, who shall restore and re-establish Il {?
Shall the man who gave his influence and his
means to destroy the Government? Is he to
participate in the great work Of reorganiza-
ton? Shall he who brought this misery upon
the state be permitted to control its dsstinies /?
Ii this be so, then all this precious blood OF
our brave soldiers and officers so freely pour
ed out VIII have been wantonly spilled. An
the glorious victories won by our noble armies
will 60 for nought, and all the battle-feltls
which have been s0wn with dead heroes dur
! ing the rebellion viii have been made MEM
orable in vain. Why all this carnage and
devastation? II was that treason might be
put down and traitors punished. Thereibre
say that traitors should take back seat In the
work of restoration. 'af ..i,.f % ~ .t..
True, every word Of Il, and.yet he now
seems to be anxious 10 place traitors In the
front seats In the work Of restoration. Such
Is not the punishment he once promised 10
traitors. He boldly avowed that ~true and
faithful men should control the work Of ieor-
ganizaiion and sressrmation absolutely.r--
Again he says: l-a f
/ say that the traitor has ceased 10 be cit
izen, and In joining the rebellion has become
4 puDfc enemy IRE y0yetteo NS rtqht 10 r0ff
4 rhh loyal men when he reaoumced his citizen
ship and sought 70 destroy our government.-
| We say TO the most honest and industriou.
| foreigner who comes from England or Ger
many to dwell among us, and 10 add 10 In
wealth of the country. -Befsre You can be ,
citizen, you must stay here for i've years.s--
II we are so cautious about foreigners. yhs
voluntarily renounce their homes 10 live will
US. what should We say 10 the traitor, who al
though born and reared among us, has raised
parri cidal hand against the Government
which has always protected him? My judg
ment IS that he should be subjected TO a SO
we're ordeal before he Is restorsdDb citizenship
A fellow who takes the oath merely to save
his properly, and denies the validity OF the
oath, is a perjured man, and not to De trusse1
Before these repenting rebels cd'. oe 1aseeui
let them bring forth the fruits J repentdnce'
| He acho helped to make az Mese te'a4cS a.ao
orphans. aaho draped the streets Of Ndshcstit
In mourning, should Suffer tor ms great crime rsa
We have room but for one more extraci
from this remarkable and eloquent Speech
1t was delivered under circumstances some
4 what different from those under which he ha
recently sent into Congress his messages ig
noring the doctrines he once ente, tanned an,
preached. If he has not changed, then W