Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-08-28

sumo and pretend to be for the Union, when
It's every step and act tended to perpetuate dis
union and make disruption of the States in
evitable. Instead of promoting reconciliation
and harmony, its legislation has partaken ofth
character OF penalties, retaliation and revenge.
This has been the course and the policy of one
portion of your government.
The humble individual who is now address
ing you, stands the representative of another
department OF the Government. The manner
In which he was called upon to occupy that po-
sltion | shall not allude to on this OCCASION
Suffice it to say, that he is here under the Con-
stitution of the country, and being here by vir-
tue OF It's provisions, he takes his stand upon
that charter of our liberties as the great ram
part of civil and religious liberty. Prolonged
cheering Having been taught in my early
life, to hold it sacred, and having practised up
on it during my whole public life, l shall ever
continue to reverence the Constitution of my
fathers, and make it my guide Hearty ap-
plause.
l know it has been said, land I must be per-
mltted to indulge In this remark, that the Ex-
ecutive Department Of the Government has
been despotic and tyrannicaL Let me ask this
audience of distinguished gentlemen around me
here to-day to point to vote [ ever gave, to a
public life, that has not been against tyranny
and oppression. What position have ever oc-
cupied-what ground have l ever assumed
where it can be truthfully charged that failed
to advocate the amelioration and elevation of
the great masses of my countrymen. LCries of
'never," and great applause.
So far as charges of that kind are concerned
l will say that they are simply intended to de-
ceive and delude the public mind into the be-
lief that there is some one in power who is
usurping and trampling upon the rights of the
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such charges for the purpose Of covering their
own acts. 'That's so," and applause.
have felt it my duty, in vindication of principle
and the Constitution of my country, to call the
attention OF my countrymen to these proceed
lngs When we come to examine who has been
playing the tyrant, by whom do we find des-
potism 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 oppressive. My nature, on the contrary,
is rather defensive in Its character; but | will
say that having taken my stand 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 intimidated by
either threats or encroachments, but have stood
there in conjunction with patriotic spirits,
sounding the tocsin of alarm when deemed
the citadel of liberty in danger Great ap-
plause.
said on a previous occasion, and repeat
| now, that all that was necessary in this great
struggle against tyranny and despotism, was
that the struggle should be sufficiently audible
for the American people to hear and properly
understand. They did hear, and looking on
and seeing who the contestants were, and what
the struggle was about, determined that they
would settle this question on the side of the
Constitution and Of principle. Cries of That s
so," and applause. | proclaim here, to-day,
as have on previous occasion, that my faith is
in the great mass Of the people. In the dark
est moment Of this struggle when the clouds
seemed to be most lowering, my faith, instead
of giving way, loomed up through the cloud,
beyond which saw that all would be well in
the end. My countrymen, we all know that
tyranny and despotism, in the language of
Thomas Jefferson, can be exercised and exerted
more effectually by the many than the one
We have seen Congress gradually encroach,
step by step, and violate day after day, and
month after month constitutional rights and
the fundamental principles of the government.
Cries of That's so," and applause. We
have seen Congress that seemed to forget
that there was a limit to the sphere and scope
OF legislation. We have seen Congress in
minority assume to exercise power which, if al
tism or monarchy itself. Enthusiastic ap-
plause. This is truth, and because others, as
well as myself have seen proper to appeal to
the patriotism and Republican feeling of the
country, we have been denounced in the sever
est terms. Slander upon SANDER, vituperation
upon vituperation of the most villainous charac-
ter has made it's way through the press. What,
gentlemen, has been your and my sin? What
has been the cause Of our otending2 | will
tell you: Daring to stand by the Constitution
of our fathers. approaching Senator John
ston. consider the proceedings of this Con-
yention, sir, as more important than those Of
any convention that ever assembled IN the Uni
ted States. Great applause When l look
with my mind eye upon that collection of citi-
zens coming together voluntarily, and sitting
in council with ideas, with principles, and views
commensurate with all the States, and Cock
tensive with the whole people, and contrast it
with the collection of gentlemen, who are trying
to destroy the country, l regard it as more i'm
portant than any Convention that has sat-at
least since 17S7. Renewed applause. l
think may also say that the declarations that
were there made are equal to the Declaration of
Independence itself, and | here to-day pro-
nounce them second Declaration of Indepen-
dence. Cries of Glorious, y and most entthu-
siastic and prolonged applause. Your ad
dress and declarations are nothing more nor
less than re affirmation of the Constitution of
the United States. Cries of Good, and ap-
plause.
Yes, I will go farther and say that the dec
larations you have made, that the principles
you have enunciated in your address are sec
ond proclamation Of emancipation to the people
of the United States Renewed applause. +
For in proclaiming and reproclaiming these
great truths, you have laid down constitution
al platform upon which all can make common
cause, and stand united together for the restor-
alton Of the States and the preservation Of the
Government without reference to party. The
question only is the salvation of the country !;
for our country rises above all party considera-
tions or Influences Cries of Good, and ap-
plause. How many are there in the United
States that now require to be free2 They have
the shackles upon their limbs and are bound as
ngidly as though they were in fact in slavery.
| repeat then that your declaration is the Sec
ond Proclamation of Emancipation to the peo-
pie Of the United States, and offers common
ground upon which all patriots can stand
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