The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-04-21


constitution? And what remains now to be
done to complete the restoration of these
states to ell their former relations under
the federal government, and to finish the
great ordeal through which we have been pas
slngf 1t Is to admit oheersl
and, when we say admit represents tion, what
do we mean We mean representation in the
constitutional and law-abiding sense, as was
intended ct the beginning of the government.
The constitution declares IN express terms
that each house, the senate and house of rem
resentatives, ACTING for itself, shall be the
Judge Of the election and quali60tsions of its
own members. II is the houses that muss
settle that question under the consultation
aud can we believe that either house would
admit any member into It's body, to partici.
pated In it's Legislation, who was not quslifi
ed They have power not only to correct
abuses, but abuse itself. All that is needed
to finish the great work of reconstruction, is
for the two houses respectively to determine
the question. Oh, but some one will saw,
traitor might csme in. The answer 10 that
Is, that each house must be judge and, if
traitor presents himself, cannot either house
know that he is traitor? Applause And
if he is q traitor. cannot they kick him out of
doors and send him back, saying to the peo-
pie who have sent him: "You must send a
/
What is the difficulty about that? None"
"none," and cheers If traitor presents
himself to either house cannot that house
say: mo, you cannot be admitted into either
body Go back we will not deny your peo-
pie representation, but they must send us q
loyal representative (Cheers. And when
the state does send Us loyal representatives,
can you have any better loyalty? There is
no one learned in the constitution and law
that will say, if a traitor gets into congress.
no one can expei him for treason after he gets
in. Hence, say, let Us stand by the con-
stitution, and in standing by it the covenant,
will be preserved. While have been presi-
dent, traitors, and treason, and secession, and
the disunion of the Union, have been con
tending, and, at the same time, against the
consolidation of power here. / think the con-
solidation of power here Is equally dangerous
with a separation of states. The one would
toster US, and might run into anarchy, while
the other would concentrate and eventuase in
monarchy. But there is an idea abroad that
one man can be despot; that one man can
be a usurper; but that hundred or two
hundred men cannot. Mr.. Jefferson, the ap-
ostle Of liberty, tells US, and so does common
sense, that tyranny and despotism can be ex-
ercised by many more vigorously and syran
nicslly than by one. What power has our
president? What can he do? What can he
originate? Why, they say. he exercises the
veto power. Laughter. What is the veto
power? A volcs-"To put down the mig.
ger % Laughter. Who is your president p
Several voices: candy Johnson Is he not
elected by the people. The president is moth
ing more than the tribune of the people. His
office is tribunal in its character. In olden
times, when tributes were first elected in the
Roman republic, they stood at the doors of
the Roman senate, which was then encroach-
ing on popular rights and putting the heel of
power on the necks of the people. The peo-
pie chose tribune and placed him at the
door of the senate, so that, when that power
ventursd such an act, he was clothed with
power to say Veto" 81 forbid"
/ Your president now ia the tribune of the
people. thank God l am, and intend to as
sert the power which the people have placed
in me. Your president standing here day at
ter day, and discharging his duty, is like a
horse on a tread-wheel, and, because he does
differ in opinion in regard to public measures,
he is denounced as q usurper and tyrsnt.
Can he originate anything under the veto
power? / think the veto power is conserva-
tive in its character and affirmative. All that
can be done by veto power is to say, when
legislation is improper, hasty, unwise or I'M
constitutional, stop action, let it be consider
ed by the people, and let them decide whesh-
err it is right or wrong. That is all there is
in it, and therefore | say tyranny can be ex
ercised somewhere else than with the execu-
tive He is powerless. All he can do is to
check legislation until the people can consid-
er and understand what is being done. Then
what has been donef / have done what
believe the constitution requires me to do
So believing, intend to stick to my position,
relying on the judgement, the intelligence
and integrity of the American people, the
soldiers and sailors especially. For my life,
cannot see tyranny. II is very easy to i'm
pugn motives and suspect the best acts of
mans life. Ifyou come forward and propose a
certain thing, your motives are suspected and
condemned, and if you withhold your opinion
you are regarded as being opposed to the mat
ter, 80 thatit is very hard to moro one way
or the other, so far as certain things are con-
cerned On all questions pertaining to the
interests OF the American people-for in them
is my hope for the salvation of the country
am with you, citizens, soldiers and sailors.
Who has sacrificed or periled move than the
humble individual who addresses your Has
not my all been put upon it? My life, my
property, and everything sacred and dear to |
man has been staked upon it and can / now |
be accused of faltering at the close Of this |
third ordeal? Where is he in public life, or |
private who has sacrificed more-who has |
given more of his time and resources to &C.
complish the great end than haveG / have |
done it from the promptings of my own heart;
believe it was right and, with your hearts, |
and countenance, aud encouragement shall |
go on through on that line, cheers AID laugh |
ter, and when come to talk about sailors /
and soldiers, about this to be done, and that |
to be done, all want you to do is to wait and |
see. So far as the future is concerned, wait /
and see if / do not stand by you, although |
every other may falter and fall. l want to
see measures Of policy brought forward that
will advance the interests of the people, who |
constitute the gallant and brave men who, in |
both branches of the service, have held the
national flag and sustained the country in its
recent struggle. / thank you. gentlemen, tor
your encouragement; and thank you for
your oountenance on this occasion. 1t cheers
me on and gives me strength for the work be-
fore me. If we are true to ourselves and to |
the constitution, the day is not far distant
when this government will be rsstored.-I
Let US go on and restore the government; let
US enlarge the area of our trade and commerce,
and not only inspire confidence at home, but re- |