Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-03-01

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principles of this Government, and who are labor
ing n pervert and DESTROY it. Voices" Name
them |" .Whoare they ?'l
/ The Presideut-You ask me who they are. say
Thaddcus Stevens, of fennsylyania, Is one | say
Mr.. sumner, Of the Senate, is another, and Wen
dell Philhpsis another. Long continued applause.
/ Voices Give il to ForneyPl
The President- reply 10 that will simply say
I I do not waste my ammunition upon dead ducks
I [Great laughter and applause i stand for my
\ country; | stand for the Constitution. There l
ha,e always placed my feet frommy advent to pub
lie life. They may traduce, they may SANDER, they
may vitupcrate me, but let me to YOU all this
Z has no influence upon me. IGreat applause
In addition TO this. do not intend to be goyern-
ed by real or pretended friends. nor do intend to
be bullied by my enemies. lGheers. An honest
conviction is my sustenanee, the Constitution my
guide. | know, my cOuntrymen, that il had been
insinuatcd-nay, said directly, in high placcs-that
ii such usurpation of power had been exercised
two hundred years ago, in particular reignst wouiu
have cost an individual his head. Whatusurpaton
has Andrew Johnson been guilty Off cheers ana
cries of NOnc"1 Nv only usurpati0n has been
committed bv staining between the people and the
encroachments Ofp0wer. And because dared say
in conversation with fell0w-citizen and Sena-
tor too that thought amendments to the Consti-
tuition ought not be frequent, lest the nstru-
mcnt loose all its sanctity and dignity, and be who'll
Is lost sight OF in short time. and because hap
pcned u say in conversation that thought that
such and such an amendment was all that ought 10
b. adopted il was said that had suggested sue
ttsurpatiOn of power as would have cost king his
head in a certain period In connection with tins
subj ct on, has exclaimed that we are in the midst
of earthquakes and he trembed." Yes, there is an
earthquake approaching! There is groundsweli
coming Of popular judgment and Indignation
The American people will speak, and b. their in
stinct lin no other way know who theirfiends,
when and where andin whatever position stand
and have occupied many positions in the Govern
ment thro' both branches OF the Legislature. Some
gentleman here behind me SAYS, 4" And was tailor.
Laughter. Now, that don't affect me in the least
When was a tailor always made close Mt and
was always Punctual to my customers, and did good
wO-S.
| A Yoicc--No patchwork.
The President-No, did not want any patch
work. But wepass by this depression. limitations
have been thrown out-and when principles arc in
vOlycd and the existence of my country imperillei
will, as on former occasions, speak what think:
\ Yes Cost him his head Usurpation When and
\ where have been guilty of this2 Where is the
man, in all the positions have occupied from that
/ of Alderman tO the Vice Presidency, who can say
that Andrew johnson ever made pledge that h
/ did not redeem or ever made a promise that he
violated or that he acted with alsty to th people!
/ They NAV talk about beheading, but when am
| beheaded l want the American people to be the
witness Cheers. do not want by inuendoes OF
an indirect character in high places to have one say
e there is lit subject" and also eXcaim that the
Presidential obstacle" must be got out of tn way.
when possibly the intention to institute asSas-
sinatiOn Are those who want To destroy our insti-
tutions and change the character OF the Govern
ment not satisfied with the blood that has been
she'd ? Are they not satisfied with one martyr =
Does not the blood ofLncOln appease the vengeance
and wrath of the opponents of this Government ?
Is their thirst still unslaked? Do they want more
blood? Have they not honor and courage enough
A.. 4 - H.. fiol pla
otherwise than through the hands of the assassin
l am not afraid Of assassins.
But if it must be, would wish to be encountered
where one brave man can oppose another. hold
him in dread only who strikes cowardy But If
they have courage enough to strike like men, l
know they willing to WOUNDS hut they are afraid
To strike :: If NV blood is to be shed because vim
dictate the Union and the preservation of this Gov
erument in its original purity and character, let 1t
be so but when il is done, leta altar of the Union
be erected, and then, if necessary, lay me upon il,
and the blood that now warns and animates my
frame shall be poured out in last GbatiOn as a
tribute TO the Union, [great cheering and let the
opponents of this Government remember that when
it poured out the blood of the martyr will be the
seed of the church. The Union will grow. twill
continue toinerease in strength and power, though
it may be eemented and cleansed with blood.
have talked longer, my countrymen, than in
tended With many Acknowledgements for the hon
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enee to the amendments to the Constitution OF the
United States. Shortly after reached Washing
ton for the purpose of being nauguraed Vice Pres
| ident, had conversation with Mr.. Lincoln. We
were talking about the condition of affairs, and IN
reference TO matters in my own State, SAID we had
called convention and demanded a constitution a
polishing slavery in the State, which provision was
not contained in the Presidents proclamation
This met with his appreciation and he gave me en-
enlargement. In talking upon the subject OF a
i II. L ls...l.. al
/ amendment TO the Constitution now proposed Is a.
dOpted by three-fourthS of the States, should be
pretty nearly or quite done as regards forming a
| mendments to the CONSTITUTIONAL there should be
one other adopted" / asked what that other amend
ment suggested was, and he replied, :" have la
/ bored to preserve this Union. i have toied for
! four wears. have been subjected to calumny and
Misrepresentation, and my great and sole desire has
been TO preserve these States intact under the Con
sttution as they were before; and there should be
! an amendment to the Constitution which would
compel the States to send their Senator's and Rep
resentatves to the Congress of the United States.
He saw as part of the doctrine of secession that the
States could if they were prepared, withdraw their
| Senators and Representatives !; and he wished to
remedy this evil by the adoption of the amendment
suggested. Even that portion of the Constitution
which differs from other organic law SAYS that no
State shall be deprived of its representation. We
now find the position taken that States shall not be
| recognized: that we will impose taxation and
where taxes are to be imposed the Representatives
elect from thence met at the door and told NO;
YOU must pay taxes, but you cannot participate in
Government which is to affect you for all time.
| Is this lust? [Yoices-"NO! "Nowl We see
/ then where we are going. Irepeat that | am for
/ the Union. | am for preserving all the States
/ They NAV have erred, but let US admit those into
| the councils of the nation who are Enthusiastically
| lOval Let the man who acknowledges allegiance
to the Government and swears TO support the Con-
stituton he cannot do this in good faith unless he
is loyal; no amplifcation of the oath can make
difference; it is mere detail, which care nothing
about: let him be unquestiOnably loyal to the Con-
stitutiOn of the United States and its Government
and willing to support it in its peril, and am will
ing TO trust him. | know that some do not attach
so much Importance to the principle as do. One
principle that carried US through the Revolution
was, that there should be no taxation without rep
/ resentatiOn. / hold that that principle which was
laid down by our fathers for the countrys good
then is Important to its good now. If it was worth
batting for then il is worth battling for now tits
fundamental, and should be preserved so long as
our Government lasts. | know it was said by some
during the rebellion that the Constitution had been
rolled up as a piece of parchment, and should be
put away, and that in time of rebellion there was
no Constitution. But it is INV unfolding thrust
now be read and adjusted and understood by the