The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-04-13
President johnson in 1864.
WHAT HE WAS WHEN HE HOPED TO BE
ELECTED VICE PRESIDENT


President Johnsons speech accepting tine nomination for
Vice President
. \ reply on my part had been previ-
ouslv made to the action of the conven-
tion in presenting my name, in Il speech
delivered in this city Nashville. Tennes-
Sce). on the evening succeeding the dav of
the adjournment of the convention (the
9th of June, 1861, in which indicated
my acceptance of the distinguished honor
conferred by that body. and defined the
grounds on which that acceptance was
based. substantially saying what | have
to say. From the comments made upon
that speech. by the various newspapers of
the country, to which my attention has
been directed. | considered it to be regard
ed rs full acceptance.
"The question Is. whether man is
capable of Seli-government | hold with
jefferson that government was made for
the convenience of man. and not man for
government. The laws and constitutions
were designed as instruments to promote
his welfare. And hence, from his princi-
Pile, | conclude that governments can and
ought to be changed and amended to con-
form TO the wants. to the requirements and
progress of the people. and the enlightened
spirit OF the age. Loud applause. Now
il any of your >ece>>ioni-ts have lost faith
in mems capability for ~clt-.overnment.
and feel unfit for the exercise of this great
right. 90 straight 10 rebeldom. take jeff
Davis. Beauregard, and Bragg for your
masters. and put their collars on Your
ncck>.
:" And let me say that now > the time
10 secure thcse fundamental principles.
while the land Is rent with anarchy. AMI
uphcave> with the throc> of Il mighty rev
olution. While society Is in this di>or-
dered state. and We are >eckin" security.
let IL fix the foundations of the Govern
mcnt on principles of eternal Justice which
will endure for all time There i IN cle-
mcnt in our midst who are for pcrpetuat-
ing the institution ot' slavery. Let me say
to You, Tcnnc>>ccan>. and men from the
Northern States, that slavery i dead. 1t
was not murdered by me. | told YOU
long a"o what the result would be if vou
endeavored TO 90 ont OF the Union to save
slavery and that the result would bc
blood-licl, r;lplnc. devastated fields. plum
,lerc'l villages and cities. and, therefore.
ur"cd YOU to remain in the Union. In
irving to save slavery YOU killed it, and
! lost vonr own freedom Your slavery Is
dead. but did not murder ii. ~ Mae
beth said 10 Banquo'> bloody ghost:
- Never slakr thy CORY lock- :; m.
Thou can't not AZ dIi it"
"Slavcry Is dead. and You must pardon
YOU can bury it ont OF >ight. In restoring
the State. leave out that '!i>!urbin. and
dangerous element. and u>a only tho>,,
parts Of the machinery which will move
III harmony
But in calling Il convention 20 restore
the State. who shall restore and rc-cStab-
li>h ii? Shall the man who gave his i'll
tiurncc and his means To DESTROY the Gov
crnmcnt Is he TO participate in the
arcat work of reorganization Shall he
who brought this misery upon the State
be permitted to control lis dc>tinie>! If
this be 50, then all this precious blood OF
our brave soldiers and officers 80 freely
poured out will have been wantoniy spill
/ ed All the glorious victories Won bv
our noble armies will 90 for nnught. and
all the battc-ticldS which have been >own
with dead heroes during the rebellion will
| have been made memorable in vain
w hy I'LL this CARNAGE and dcvl>t;,-
ton ii was that treason hi ght hc put
down ami traitors punished. Therefore.
| say that traitors should take Il back seat
in the work OF restoration. If there be
but 1000 men i'll Tennessee. loval to the
Constitution. loyal to freedom. loyal TO
Justice. these true and faithful men should
ccntroI the work OF reorganization. and
reformation, absolutely Loud and pro-
longcd applause. | say that the traitor
has ceased TO be Il citizen. ami in joining
the rebellion has become Il public encny.
He forfeited hi- right to vote with loval
men when he rcnounccd his citizenship.
and sought TO destroy our Government.
We say to the most honest and indu>tri-
ous foreigners. who come here from En-
land. or Germany. To dwell among III.
and to add TO the wealth of the country,
- Before YOU can he 4 citizen. YOU must
stay here for i've years" If We are ~
cautious about foreigners, who voluntarily
rcnouncc their homes 10 live with liz.
what should we say 10 the traitor, who
although born and reared alaong u>, Ia.
, raised Il parrici,.,l hand against the Gov.
4 eminent which has always protected him
: My Judgment *, that he should be sub
. stored to citizenship. \ fellow who take:
e the oath merely TO save his property, anC
e denies The validity of the oath, Is Il per
t ured man. and not to be trusted. Betor,
h these repenting rebels can be trusted, lie
e them bring forth fruits OF repentance
! He who helped to make all these widow
1 and orphans, who draped the streets o
i Nashville in mourning, should suffer 10
! his great crime. Tie work Is in our owl
+ hands We can destroy this rebellion.
Il with Grant laundering on the Poto
a mac before Richmond. and Sherman an,
: Thomas on their march toward Atlant;,
a the day will ere lcng lie ours. Will an,
e madl5 pcls.st in rebellion Suppose tina
e an equal number be slain in every battle
o it is plain that the result must he tie Ut
Il ter exterlnination Of the rebels. All, thes