The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1866-02-22
The Presidents Last speech.

From the Chicago Times.
What constitutes unionism was very
plainly set forth by President Johnson in
his recent speech to the Virginia delega-
ton. 1T is the antipodes of the doctrines
maintained by the 'union" party. / is
fidelity to the constitution and the union
estabishedby it. 1t is, moreover, "a pow
er in the land" headed by the president
ofth United States, backed by the armies
of the nation, indorsed and cherished by
majority of two-thirds Of the people of the
United States, and the president was not
at all boastful when he gave warning to
those opposing it that they must get out
/ of its way" This is what he wants them
to do. because, as he is generous and
charitable man, he wishes to avoid neccs>
slty for hurting them. If, like the bull
who disputed the passage of the railway
train, they oppose themselves to the pros
gress of the union car, gathering volume
and momentum as it rolls forward, they
will be hoisted only to fall with weight
which will leave but mass of bones and
rubbish of that which was but an instant
before an imposing and intelligent force.
Yesterday congress mourned over the
death of president. To-day the nation re-
joices over the continuance in life of one of
sufficient capacity to understand and cour-
age to perform his duties. He for whom
lament is made may have been good man,
but he for whom rejoicings are had is
good president, which, considering the
responsibilities devolved upon them as
presidents, is of far more interest to the
nation. 1t is natural to suppose that con
gress should mourn for the death of Mr..
Lincoln, as that it should sorrow over the
prospect of long life vouchsafed to Mr..
johnson in the possession of health and
strength which enable him to swing round
the circle of the union despite "tbe dupll-
cate of the same spirit" in the north which
led to the rebellion in the south. That
spirit he intends to crush lie says it has
been crushed by the strong arm ofphysical
power in one section In the other section
sit must get out of the way" Suppose
that it does not get out of the way! Per-
adventure we shall see an application of
the powers conferred by military necessi>
ty." \ rump congress, animated by spirit
of rebellion, and resisting the restoration
of the union, cannot long be tolerated if
1.-The government must stand unshaken and
unmoved upon its basis"
There was time when such language
as that addressed by Mr.. johnson to the
Virginia delegation, from president,
would have signifed an intention upon his
part to employ the military power of the
government to enforce the opinions an
nounced regardless of conflict between
them and those held by the other departs
ments of the government There was a
time-and not many months have passed
since then-when a president of the United
States, under the pressure of congress, ems
forced despotism as lawless and as in
sulting to the people and the spirit of the
government as would now be one which
should disperSe the present reasonable
and revolutionary congress by an armed
force and assume that the president is the
government" What assurance have We
that the successor of him, who acted up
on this assumption to pander to the passions
of those who yesterday assembled to listen
to an eulogy upon him, will not turn the
weapons against themselves Which they
have placed in his hands, now that there is
war between them? Their only security
is his respect for the constitution they are
endeavoring to destroy, and for democratic
principles they are daily execrating.
Touching the right of the south to be
represented in congress, the president said
to the delegation
"In going into the recent rebellion or insur
rcctiOn against the government of the United |
States you erred and in returning and resum
ing your relations with the federal govern
mcnt am free to say that all the responsible
positions and places ought to be confined dis
tinctly and clearly to men who are loyal. If
there were only 5000 men in state, or n less
number, but sufficient to take charge of the
political machinery of the state, those 5000
men, or lesser number, are entitled to it, ifall
the rest should be otherwise included. | look !
upon il as being a fundamental principle that
the exercise ofpolitical power should be con
fined to loyal men, and regard it as implied
in the doctrineslaid down in these resolutions,
and in the eloquent address 10y which they
have been accompanied"
\ careful perusal of the above will show
that while Mr.. johnson asserts the pro,
priety of the policy therein announced he
does not deny the lawful right of the states
freely to elect whom they please. The Times
has often and earnestly urged upon the
south the justice and policy of returning
union men to congress. Such action would
have'very much strengthened the presi-
dent, and would have taken from the rad>
icals in congress a pretencc which they
have effectively employed The president
further said
The representation of the States and
of the people should have the qualifications
prescribed in the Constitution of the United
States, and those qualifications most un-
questionably imply loyalty. He who comes
as a representative, having the qualifications
prescribed by the Constitution to fit him to
take a seat in either ofthe delberative bodies
which constitute the National Legislature,
must necessarily, according to the intent of