Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1866-03-15

because, in a conversation with a fellow
citizen who happened to be Senator, l
said that | thought amendments to the
Constitution ought not too frequently be
made that if it was continually tinkered
with it would loose all It's prestige and
dignity, and the old instrument would be
lost sight of altogether in a short time,
and because in the same conversation l
happened TO say that if it were amended az
all, such and such amendment ought TO be
adopted, it was charged that | was guilty
of usurpation of power that would have
cost king his head in a certain period Of
English history. Great laughter. From
the same source the exclamation has gone
forth that they were in the midst of earth
quakes; that they were trembling and
could not yield. Laughter.
JUDGMENT OF TIE PEOPLE.
Yes, fellow-citizens, there is an earth
quake coming; there is a ground swelling
Of popular judgment and Indignation
Great applause. The American people
will speak, and, by their instinct if not
otherwise, they will know who are their
friends and who are their enemies, I have
endeavored to be true to the people in all
the positions which have occupied, and
there is hardly position in this Govern
ment which | have not at some time fill
ed. l suppose it will be said that this is
vanity laughter but [ may say that |
have been in all of them. 1 have been
in both branches of the State Legislature.
A voice: - You commenced tailor
NO PATCH WORK.
The President-A gentleman behind
me says that began a tailor. Yes, l
did begin tailor [applause], and that
suggestion does not discomfit me in the
least, for when l was a tailor | had the
reputation of being a good one, and of
making close fits laughter, and 1 was
always punctual to my customers, and did
good work. [Applause.
YOiccs-We viii patch up the Union
yet.
The President-No, I do not want any
patch work of it | want the original ar
ticle restored. Great applause.
have said, it has been declared else
where that l was guilty Of usurpation
which would have cost king his head,
and III another place | have been denoun-
ced for white washing. When and where
did | ever whitewash anything or any
body? | have been an alderman of a
town, ! have been i'll both branches of the
Legis Iature Of my State, have been in
both Houses of the National Congress, |
have been ut the head of the Executive
Department Of my State, have been
Vice President of the United States and
| am now in the position which l occupy
before you, and during all this career
where is the man and what portion Of the
people is there who can say that Andrew
johnson ever made pledge which he did
not redeem, or that he ever made prom
ise which he violated None. Now,
point out the man who can say that An
drew Johnson ever acted with infidelity
to the great mass OF the people. Great
applause.
BEHEA DING.
Men may talk about beheadiug and
about usurpation, but when l am behead-
ed | want the American people TO be the
witnesses. do not want it by iuuendoes
and indirect remarks.in high places, to be
suggested to men who have assassination
brooking in their bosoms, there IS fit
subject Others have exclaimed that the
Presidential obstacle must be gotten out
of the way What is that but a make
use of a strong word melting TO assassin
alton No doubt, | say, the intention
was to incite assassination, so the obsta-
Gle which the people bad placed here could
be got out of the way. Are the oppo-
nents of this Government not yet satisfied
are those who want TO destroy our insti-
tutions and TO change the character OF the
Government, not satisfied with the quantity
of blood that has been shed Are they
not satisfied with one martyr in this place!
Does not the blood of Lincoln appease
their vengeance and is their thirst still un-
slaked? Do they still want more blood
Have they not honor and courage enough
to seek to obtain the end otherwise than
through and bv the hand of an assassin
| am not afraid Of an assassin attacking
me where one brave and courageous man
will attack another | only dread him
in disguise, and where his footstep is
noiseless.
If they want blood let them have the
courage to strike like men. know they
are willing to wound, but afraid to strike
If my blood is TO be shed because ! vindi-
cate the Union, and insist on the preser-
walton of this Government in its original
purity, let it be shed; but let an altar to
the Union be first erected, and then, if
necessary, take me and lay me upon ii,