Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1866-09-06
PA. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1866.

mental principles of the Government.
Cries of "Thafs So" and applause.
We have seen Congress that seemed to
forget that there was Constitution of the
Uniled States-that there was limit to
the sphere and scope of legislation. We
have seen Congress in minority assume
to exercise powers which, if allowed TO be
carried out, would result in despotism or
monarchy itself Enthusiastic applause.
This is truth, and because others as well
as myself have seen proper TO appeal 10
the patriotism and republican feeling Of
the country, we have been denounced in
the severest terms. Slander upon slander,
vituperation upon vituperation, of the
most villainous character, has made its
way through the press. What, gentlemen,
has been your and my sin /? What has
been the cause of our offending? / will
tell you. Daring to stand by the Consti-
tuition Of our fathers Approaching
Senator Johnson. L consider the pro-
ceedings Of this convention, sir, as more
important than those of any convention
which ever assembled in the United States.
[Great applause. When 1 look with my
minds eye upon that collection Of citizens
coming together voluntarily, and sitting in
council, with ideas, with principles, and
views commensurate with all the States.
and co-extensive with the whole people,
and contrast it with the collection of gen
tlemen who are trying to destroy the
country. regard it as more important
than any convention that has sat, at least,
since 1877. Renewed applause. l
thak [ may also say, that the declara-
tions that were there made are equal with
the Declaration Of Independence itself,
and here to-day pronounce it a second
Declaration of Independence. (Cries of
- Glorious" and most enthusiastic and
prolonged applause.)
Your address and declarations are moth
ing more nor less than reatlirmatiOn Of
the Constitution of the United States.
TCries of q Good" and applause. Yes,
! will 90 farther. and say that the decla-
rations you have made, that the principles
you have enunciated in your address, are
a second proclamation of emancipation to
the people of the United States renewed
applause for in proclaiming and repro
claiming these great truths you have laid
down q constitutional platform upon which
all can make common cause, and stand
united together for the restoration Of the
States and preservation Of the Govern
ment without reference TO party. The
query only is the salvation of the country,
for our country rises above all party con-
sidcrations or influences. Cries OF
g Good" and applause. How many
are there in the United States that now
require to be free? They have the shack
les upon their limbs and are bound as
rigidIy as though they were In fact IN
slavery 1 Irepeat, then, that your decla-
ration is the second proclamation OF
emancipation TO the people Of the United
States. and offers a common ground upon
which all patriots can stand. Applause
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen, let me
in this connection ask you what L have
to Gain more than the advancement OF the
public welfare? | am as much opposed
TO the indulgence ofegotism as any one,
but here in a conversational manner,
while formally receiving the proceedings OF
the convention, l may be permitted again to
ask, what have to gain consulting hu-
man ambition more than l have gained,
except in one thing? My race Is nearly
run. | have been placed in the high
Office occupy under the Constitution OF
the country, and l may say that L have
! held, from the lowest TO the highest, al
most every position to which man may
| attain in our Government. l have passed
through every position, from Alderman OF
a village to the Presidency of the United
States and surely, gentlemen, this should
be enough to crafty a reasonable ambi-
| ton. II I wanted authority, or II l
wished to perpetuate my own power, how
easy it would have been to hold and
WELD that which was placed in my hands
bv the measure called Freedman's Bu-
reau bill daughter and applause } with
AN army which it placed at my discre-
ton could have remained at the Capital
of the nation, and with fifty or sixty mil
lions of appropriations at my disposal,
with the machinery TO be worked by my
own hands, with my satraps and depend
ents in every town and village, and then
with the civil rights bill following as an
auxiliary Qaughter) in connection with
all other appliances of the Government,
could have proclaimed myself dictator
That's true" and applause.)
But, Gentlemen, my pride and my am
bition have been to occupy that position
which retains all power in the hands o
the people. Great cheering) 1t isu?or
that have always relied. 1t is upor
that rely now. ca voice, " And th,
people will not disaPpoint you.") And