The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1866-09-01

that all would be safe in the end Ny
countrymen, we all know that, in the
language of Thomas Jefferson, tyranny
and despotism even can be used and are
used more eflectually BY the many than
by the one. We have seen n Congress
gradually encroach, step by step, upon
Constitutional rights, and violate, daily,
and month after months, the fundamental
principles of the Government. We have
seen Congress that seemed to forget
there was n Constitution, and that there
was n limit to the power and scope of
legislation We have seen Congress in
u minority assume to exercise powers,
which, if allowed to be carried out, would
result in despotism--of monarchy itself.
T Cries of That's So, and enthusiastic
cheers This is truth, and because 9th
ers, as we'll as myself, have seen proper to
appeal to the patriotism aud republican
feeling of the country, We have been de-
nounced in the most severe terms Sian
der upon SANDER, yitupcration upon vitu-
peration, of the most villainous charac-
ter, has made its way through the public
press. What, gentlomcn, has been your
and my aim? What has been the cause
of your offending? | will tell you.
Daring to stand by the Constitution Of
our fathers"
The President here approached the spot
where Senator johnson was standing
aud said II consider the proceedings
of the Convention, sir, more important
| than those Of any Convention that ever
assembled in the United States. When
/ | look with my minds eye upon that col
/ lection Of citizens coming together vol
unfairly and sitting in council, with ideas,
with principles and views commensurate
with all the States and co-cxtcnsiyc with
the whole people, and contrast it with the
collection Of gentlemen who are trying
TO destroy the country, | regard it as
mere important than any Convention that
has sat, at least, since l77G. TChccrs. I
! isthink | may say that the declarations
made there are equal ia the Declaration
/ of Independence. As | stand here to-
day pronounce 1t second Declaration
7 Of Independence. Your address and
declarations are nothing more nor less
! than rcafiirmation Of the Constitution
Of the United States. Yes. | will 20
farther and say, that the declarations you
have made, and that the principles you
have cnunciatcl in your address. are II
second proclamation Of emancipation TO
the people Of the United States. IRE
newed applause.1 For in Froclaiming
and reproclaiming these great truths you
have laid down constitutional platform
upon which all can make common cause
and stand together for the restoration 81
States and the preservation Of the Gov
I crnmcnt, without reference To party. The
sole question IS the salvation Of our coun-
try, for our country rises above all party
considerations or influences. How many
there are in the United States that now
require to he free. that bear the shacklcs
upon their limbs, and are bound as rigid.
ly as though they were in fact in slavery
! repeat, then, that your declaration is
the second proclamation TO the people OF
the United States and it offers common
ground upon which all patriots can stand
"AIr. Chairman and gentlemen, let me
in this connection, ask you who has done
more for the advancement Of the public
: welfare than /? | am as much opposed
TO the indulgence Of cgotism as any ono
but here, i'll conversational manner
while formally receiving the proceedings
; Of this Convention, | may be permitted
to ask, what have / to gain in human
: ambition more than | have gained? Ny
5 race is nearly run | have been place.
: in the highest Offices which can occupy
under the Constitution, and / may have
held almost every position, from the low
: est to the highest, which man can affair
: in our Government. | have passcC
5 through every position, from an Alder
| man Of village to the Presidency, ant
p, surely, gentlemen, this should be enough
to satisfy all reasonable ambition. IF
: wanted Office by which to pcrpetuate my
r own power, how easy it would have beer
: to hold and WELD that which was place.
: in my hands by the measure called tn
/ Frecmen's Bureau. Laughter and ap
t plause. With the army which it place.
] at my disposal, / could have remained a
!, the Capitol Of the United States witt
r its fifty or sixty millions of dollars Of ap
preparations at my disposal; with tn
C machinery to be worked by my own hands
t with my satraps and dependents in ever
: town and village and then, with tn
e Civil Rights bill following as an auxiliar
: in connection with all the other applian
0 ces Of the Government, | could hay
+ proclaimed myself Dictator. [Cries {
c that's true, and three cheers for th
j President ! But, gentlemen, my prid
# ard my ambition has been to occupy tina
e position which retains all the power j
r the hands Of the people. 1t is upon tina
e I have always relied it is upon that
: rely now. IA voice-'And the pcopl
n will not disappoint you'll And repea
If that neither the threats nor the jecrs {
1t Congress, nor of calumniating press
n can drive me from my purpose. Acknow
d edgng no superior, except my God, tn
n author of my existence, and the peopl
l. of the United States-for the one tr
? to obey all His commands as best | car
e compatible with my poor humanity; fc
e the other, in a political and Representative
a sense, the high commands of the peopl
', have always been respected and obeyc
1t by me. Mr.. Chairman, I have said nor
q, than l intended. For the kind allusior
t. to myself, contained in your address, an
10 the resolutions adopted by the Conver
ID ton, let me remark, that in the crisis an
a. at this period of my public life, I hol
as above all price; and shall ever recur wit
Id feelings of profound qualification to ii
n last resolution. containing the endors