The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-03-01

crcachment Is proposed. stand to-day
prepared, as far as | can to resist these
enefoachnen's upon the Constitution
and Government. Now that we nave
peace let lis enforce the Constitution.
Let us live under it and by its Prov
sions. Let it be published. Let l! oP
printed in blazing characters, as II II
were in the Heavens, punictul5eu WIN
stars, that all may read ard unoeIstahd.
Let US consult that instrument. Let us
digest its provisions, understand them,
and, understanding, abide by them.
tell the opponents of this Govern
ment. | care not from what quarter they
come whether from the East, West,
North or South, you who are in the
work of breaking up this Government
hv amendments to the Constitution,
Fiat the principles Of free government
are deeply rooted in the American
heart All the powers combined, I care
not of what character they are, cannot
destroy that instrument, that great chart
of freedom. They may seem to succeed
for time, but their attempt will be flu
tile. They might as well undertake to
lock up the mind or chain the waves of
the ocean and contine them to limits
They may til nix it can be done by aeon
current resolution, but when it is sub
lIllltGd W tilC fiSODIS tt4ASA "
the popular will they will find they
might as well undertake to introduce
resolution to repeal the law of gravity
as to keep the Union from being re-
stored. 1t is just about as plausible to
resist the great law Of gravity, which
binds as to common centre, as that
great law of gravity which Will bring
back these States and replace them in
their relations.
All these conspiracies and machina-
tons, North and South, cannot prevent
it. All that is wanted is time, until the
American people can get to know what
is going on. [ would the whole Ameri-
can people conld be assembled here to-
day as you are. | wish we had an am
phitheatre capacious enough to hold the
thirty millions Of people, that they
could be here and witness the struggle
that is going on to preserve the Consti-
tuition Of their fathers. They would set
tie this question. They would see who
it is and how it is, and what kind of
spirit is manifested in breaking up this
free Government. Yes, When they
came to see the struggle, and understand
who is for and who is against them if
you could make them perform the part
OF gladiatofs in the first tilt you would
have detained YOU longer than | in
tended. i" Go on. We are in a great
struggle. | am your instrument. Who
is there have not toiled or labored for?
Where is the man or woman, either in
public OF private life, who has not al
ways received every attention OF nay
timeo Pardon the egotisnl. they say
that "Mr. Johnson is q lucky man )"
that 10 man can defeat me. will tell
yea what constitutes luck. 1t is 20 Go
right, and being for the people. THAT
is What constitutes good luck. Some
how or other the people will find out
and understand who is for and who is
against them. have been placed in as
many trying positions as amy mortal
man WAS ever placed in, but SO far |
have not deserted the people, and :! be-
lieve they will not desert nae. What
principles have / violatedo What SEN
timent have | swerved from: Can
they put their finger upon it? Have
you heard them quote my predecessor,
who fell 4 martyr to his eountfy's cause,
as going in opposition or in contradis-
The very policy which | am pursuing
now was pursued under his administra
ton. It was being pursued by him
when that inscruitable Providence saw
fit to summon him. as | trust, to q bet
ter world than this. Where is there
one principle adopted by him in refer
ence to this restoration, that | have de-
parted from? None, none!
The war, then, is not simply upon
me, but upon my predecessor. | have
tried to do my duty. | know that some
people, in their jealousy, have made the
remark that the White House is Presi-
dent. just let me say that the charms
Of the White House, and all that sort OF
tiummery, has less influence with me
than with those who are talking about
it. The little | eat or wear does not
amount to much. That required to sus-
tain me and my little family is very lit
tie, for am not a feeding man, though
in one sense of consanguinity or affinity,
am akin to everybody. The conscious
satisfaction of having performed my
duty to my country is all the reward !
have. Then. in conclusion, let me ask
this vast concourse-this sea ofupturned
faces-to go with me in standing round
the Constitution Of our country. 1t is
again unfolded, and the people are in
vited to read, to understand, and to