Weekly Trinity journal., 1866-04-14
NUMBER IA.
The "De.d Duck" Speaks.

Colonel John w. Forney Whs seIehaueu nv
Washington on the evening of Feb. 9th by the
Soldiers and Sailors National Union League.
Colonel Forney made very sarcastic speech, IN
which, after remarking that the present state of
things in Washington made him feel as if it were
the metropolis of great slave despotism where
Northern men were permitted to live but not to
speak their sentiments, he said
"There is not principle that ] have advocated
in the Daily Morning Chronicle here, and in the
Press of Philadelphia, that has not been taught
to us by Andrew johnson of Tennessee, who
taught us treason crime and should be
punished 1t was Andrew Johnson who eman-
cipated the slaves in Tennessee by his own will
when President Lincoln proposed TO exempt
that State from his proclamation. 1t was An
drew johnson who demanded that the splendid
property of rebel lords and masters be conis-
Gated and divided among brave men who fought
the battles of the country. 1t was Andrew
johnson who promised the colored men of Ten
nessee that he would be their Moses, laughter
and lead them into the happy land. 1t was An
drew Johnson who not only said that treason
was made infamous, but that death was too easy
a punishment for traitor. 1t was Andrew
Johnson of Tennessee who, in the Senate of the
United States, in 1860 and 1861, in the face OF
traitors who then plotting to secede, de-
clared that if he were President be would hang
them as so many criminals. 1t was Andrew
Johnson who led the radical movement before
he was President, who inspired 1t with courage,
who called upon strong men in the North to fol-
low his example. In what you and are doing
we are simply following his example. Is it not
therefore extraordinary that events such as these
transpired, and that be who has been our leader
is about to become our prosecutor, that in fact
you who happen to bold Offices in departments
are to be punished, sacrificed for being true to
his principles? | do not wonder that secession
lists and returned rebels of the city of Washing
ton are filled with satisfaction at such pros
pect, and l would congratulate them upon the
fact that they have secured great prize, and
were the of great victory if | did not
look to that great Northern country, [applause,]
and millions of people, who are this night
agonizing over the crisis of the Republic and
who have resolved, with resolution unparalleled
even in our own wonderful history, to sustain
their faithful representatives who are deliber-
ating, and thank God with united camness and
fearless hearts, in yonder marble pile APP
plause.
Why, gentlemen, sometimes when / dwell up
on this theme, | almost feel as though was trans
ported to another planet. 1t is as if, like Rip
Van Wrinkle, | had slumbered for many years,
and had suddenly awakened to find myself in a
new community, as it were, among my posterity
talking TO strangers and looking upon strange
faces What is it see? Andrew Johnson, idol,
organ and prattler and protector of men who,
during four years, were his prosecutors and his
revers. Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, receiv-
ing and being introduced to ragged battalion
of returned traitors by the counsels and apollo
ges of the assassins of Abraham Lincoln and
the miserable wretch Wirz who was executed
few months ago. Andrew Johnson of Tennes-
see, in front of the Presidential mansion, speak
ing of leading patriots traitors 1t is indeed
a miracle of miracles. do not desire and did
not regard your visit as intended to give me
opportunity to reply to the President in words
unbecoming gentleman. | am not to initiate
manners that have been set by the President of
the United States. [Applause.] We should not
only look to Chief Magistrate for elegance of
manners, but for decency of language. We
should always find in him eminent sobriety
[laughter] of department, dignity of expression,
unerring courtesy, and graceful language for,
gentlemen if we look in vain for such in the
head of the civilized and Christian nations,
where else shall we look for them? If there is
anything that eminently characterizes this great
American people, it is that their intelligence
teaches them to respect the rights and feelings of
others. From this sentiment springs the noble
philanthropy which sacrifices and strengthens
the important movement in which they are now
engaged for we are on the threshold not merely
Of party conflicts; we have before us mighty
labors. We can no more tear ourselves away
from our work, than | can reach out with the
feeble and tear out of those stars now
sparkling in the eternal heavens. He is a most
incapable leader who strives to evade and delay
eternal truths and duties. Shall four millions of
human beings, made free by great war; and
over the graves of their tyrants and our betray-
ers, be left in moral servitude2 You have pass
ed through more dangers, soldiers, and helped to
solve and settle more troubles that can be sur
passed by any yet unborn, and if follow
Gods law, shall not be LOST
Ours AND INs-Mr W. H. Rhodehame for
the purpose of making himself one of the num-