The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-09-06

The nation is in peril. We have Just
passed through a mighty, a bloody, a
ihomentus ordeal, and yet do not find
ourselves Tree from difficulties and dam
gers that at first surrounded us. While
our brave soldiers, both officers and men,
turning to General Grant, who stood at
his right have by their heroism won
iaurels lmpefishable, thereare still great
Grand more Important duties to perform;
ana While we have had their co-opera-
ton in the field, now that they have re-
turned to civil pursuits, we need their
support III our efierts to restore the Gov
eminent and perpetlate peace. APP
plause. SO far as the Executive DEPART
ment OF the Government is concerned,
the effort has been made to restore the
Union, to heal the breach, to pouroil in
to the wounds which were consequent
upon the struggle, and Ito speak in COM
mon phrase TO prepare, as the learned
and wise physician would plaster,
healing in character and co-eXtensiVe
with the wound. Applause. We
| thought, and we think, that we had par
TALLY sueeeeded but as the work pro-
crosses, as reconciliation seemed to be
taking place, and the country was be-
coming reunited, we found Il disturb
ing and marring clement opposing us.
In abiding to that element | shall go
no further than your Convention ana
the distinguished gentleman who has
delivered to me the report Gifts proceed
ings. ! shall make no reference to it
that | do not believe the time and the
occasion justify.
We have witnessed in one department
OF the Government every endeaNor to
prevent the restoration OF peace, har-
l. I,
ing upon the verge of the Government
sumes to be, the Congress of the United
States, While in fact it is a Congress OF
only part Of the States. We have seen
this Congress pretended to be for the
Union Wien its every step and act tend
ed to perpetuate disunion and make dis
ruption ofthe States inevitable. Instead
OF promoting reconciliation and har-
mony, its legislation has partaken Of the
character of penalties, retaliation and
revenge. This has been the course and
the policy OF one portion OF your govern
ment.
The humble individual who is now
addressing you stands the representative
of another department Of the Govern
ment. The manner in which he was
called upon to occupy that position l
shall not alude to on this occasion. Suf-
flee it to say, that he is here under the
Constitution OF the country, and being
here by virtue of its provisions, he takes
his stand upon the chatter OF our liber-
ties as the great rampant OF civil and re-
ligeous liberty. Prolonged cheering.
Having been taught in my early life to
ring my whole public career, | shall ev-
fr ~ tho at I'll.
ton OF my fathers, and to make it my
guide. Hearty applause.
| know it has been said land | must
be permitted to indulge in the remark
that the Executive department OF the
Government has been despotic and ty-
rannical. Let me ask this audience of
distinguished gentlemen to point to a
vote | ever gave, to Il speech eVermade,
to a single act OF my whole public life
that has not been against Tyranny and
despotism. What position have ever
occNpied-what ground have l ever as
sumed where it can he truthfully charg-
ed that | have failed to advocate the
ameliOration and elevation OF the great
masses of my country? Cries of "Nev-
en-" and great applause.
So far as charges of this kind are con-
cerned, they are simply intended to de-
Jude the public mind into the belief that
it is not the designing men who make
such accusations. but some one else in
power who is usurping and trampling
upon the rights and pervertlng the prln-
ciples of the Constitution. 1t is done by
them for the purpose OF covering. their
own acts '"That's so,', and applause;
and | have felt itmy duty, in vindica-
ton of principles, to call the attention
of my countrymen to their proceedings.
When we come to examine who has
been playing the part Of the tyrant, by
whom do we find despotism exercised:
As to myself. the elements OF my nature,
the pursuits of my life, have not made
me either in my feelings or in my prac-
tice aggressive. My nature, on the con-
trary, is rather defensive in its charae-
ter; but having taken my ST. nd upon
the broad principles of liberty and the
Constitution, there is not power enough!
on earth TO drive me from it. Loud
and prolonged applause. Having placed
myself upon that broad platform, have
not been awed or dismayed or intimi-
dated by eli her threats Or encroachments,
but have stood there in conjunction with
| s.nrnlipr the tnuSin of