Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-09-18
The Presidents Speech at Detroit.

He referred to the action of Congress on the
Freedmen Bureau Bill, and their opposition
to the executive department of the Govern
ment; said he would like to meet the whole
phalanx of the men opposed to his principles.
He would like to see the legislative department
the Executive go before the American people
and test the question at issue. Humble indi-
vidual as he was, he would like to take the en-
tire Congress entertaining these doctrines be-
fore the people, and he would soon show who
it was that was trying to absorb the liberty OF
the people Cheers He had stood as the
Tribune Of the peoples rights, and he would
continue their defender
Have not, he said, been elected President
by you? A voice-'"That $25, 900 year. y /
Oh, indeed That is what you give your IIi-
bane sit? Cheers Let me call your atten-
ton to this. [ am not afraid to talk to the
American people and all the little fellows they
put into crowds to call out catch words with a
view of creating disrespect; | care not for them.
The whole kennel has been turned loose upon
me long since-their little dog Tray and Blanche
and Great Heart-all have been let loose yelp-
ing at my heels for the last eight months. The
whole pack of slanderers and calumniators had
better get out of my way. (Great Cheering J
l tell them that the American people are taking
hold of the questions at issue, and when they
begin to consider them these usurpers and ty-
rants-because tyranny can be exercised more
efectually by two hundred and forty-two men
than by one single man cheers II tell them
it will be better for them to keep their small
boats near shore. Continued Cheering. The
people are being walked up, and when the hon
est, intelligent and patriotic masses come to the
rescue, the whole set of them will be destroyed.
But it was said here that [, the Tribune of the
people, was getting 1000 a year; but | ask
this question, has it been increased since came
into office? Cheers and cries of mo, no. ~ l.
But let me tell you what Congress has DONE
They changed their pay since they came into
power. Yes! this Congress that has assailed
and attacked me for faithful discharge of my
| l-(cheers)-yes, this immaculate, this pure,
this people-loving, this devoted Congress finds
it convenient while they had the chance, while
| they we're in power, to increase their pay near
| ly double. Great cheering and Kisses. Those
who live in glass houses should never throw
stones. Cheers. Yes, this immaculate Con
gress has increased their pay nearly double
while at the same time they were magnanimous
enough to vote $50 for the brave two year vet
Grams Of the war; $50 bounty for the men who
shed their blood and lost their limbs in defence
of the country, For men mutilated and disa
bled from work forever, this immaculate Con
emoluments- cries of shame )-receiving $4,000
year. Just pocket that as you go along
| [Cheers and laughter. They reckoned with
some sagacity in the premises they feared tha
there would be this uprising of the people, and
that it would be the very last grab they would
have at the public purse. Cheers. | trus
in you, and, trusting in you, I say let the whole
Congress come. Relying ON you [ will meet
them single-handed and alone. In the words
of the poet | exclaim.
Come one, come all, this rock shall fly
| From its firm base as soon as /.