The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-02-27

the Constitution of their fathers. Thex
would soon settle the question if they. could
see the kind of spirit that is manifested in the
effort to break up the real principles of free
government-when they come to understand
who was for them and who was against them,
who was for ameliorating their condition, and
who Tor elevating them by preserving their
Government If the combatants could stand
before them, and there could be q regular
set-to between the respective gladiators, in
the hrst tilt that might be made Won would
IND that the enemies of the country wcnld he
crushed, and the people would sustain its
friends, and the friends of Constitutional lib
erty. [Great cheering My fellow citizens.
l have detained you much longer than / in
tended. Go on; 60 on But we are in a
great struggle and am your instrument, and
have thought it best to express myself
frankly. When, ask you, have ursurped
authority? Who is it in the country that have
not toiled and labored for? Where is the
man or woman, either in private life or pub
lie life, that has not always received my at
tention and my time? Sometimes it has been
said. pardon me for being . little egotisticAl,
but We are engaged in friendly and familiar
conversation, That man johnson is lucky
man. Laughter. They can never defeat
what constitutes my luck. 1t is in doing
right and doing for the people. [Great ap-
plause. The people somehow or other, al
though their sagscity and good Judgment are
very frequently nnderrsted under-estimsted,
generally get to find out and understand who
Is for them and who is against them. They
do IT by instinct if in no other way. They
know their friend !; they know in whom they
can confide. So far, thank God, / can lay
my hand upon my bosom and state with
heartfelt satisfaction that in all positions in
which have been placed,-in many that
were rs trying as any in which mortal man
has been placed, have never deserted them.
nor do believe they viii desert me. mo,
no. Applause. Whom have l betraye ed I
What principle have violated? What senti-
ment have l swerved from? Can those who
assail me put their fingers upon any one
+ No. "No."
In all the speeches that have been made.
no one has dared to put his finger upon q
single principle ever asserted from which
have deviated. Have you not heard some of
them, at some time, attempt to quote my pre-
decessor, who fell q martyr to his country 5
cause? But they can give no sentiment Of his
that is in opposition or in contradic ton to
anything that have done. The very policy
that am now pursuing was pursued by me
under his administration. having been ap-
pointed by him in a particular position for
that very purpose. Inscrutible Providence
saw proper TO remove him from this 10 trust
better world. and came into his place and
there is not principle of his in reference to
the restoration Of the Union from which
have departed. None. none. Then the
war is not simply upon me. but II is upon my
predecessor also. l have tried to do my duty
] know that some are enyious, and Jealous
and speak Of the White House as having at
fractions for the Presiden.. Let me
say to YOU. the charms Of The White House
have as little influence uron me than upon
those who are talking about il. The little
that | eat and wear does not amount TO much,
and the difference between what is enough TO
sustain me and my little famiiy-it is very
small. for am not kin to many folks by con-
sanguinity, though by affinity ! am kin TO
eyerybody-the difference between the little
that sufices for my stomach and back, and
more than enough, has no charms for me The
proud and conscious satisfaction of having
performed my duty TO my country. to my chill
dren, and to the inner nan. is all the reward
ask. [Great Applause.
In conclusion, let me ask this vast con
course here day, this sea OF upturned faces
to come with me. or | will go with you. and
stand around the Constitution of our country
1t is again unfolded; the people are invited 10
read and understand; to sustain and maintain
It's provisions Let US stand by the Consti-
tuition of our fathers, though the heavens
themselves should fall Though faction NAV
rage, though taunts and ieers may come.
though abuse and vituperation may be poured
out in the most violent form. mean to be
found standing by the Constitution of my
country. Stand by the Constitution as the
chief ark Of our safety, as the palladium of
our civil and our religious liberty. Yes, let
us cling TO 1t as the mariner clings to the last
plank when the night and the tempest close
around him. Accept my thanks, my coun-
trymen, for the indulgence you have extended
to me while submitting to you extemporane-
ously, and perhaps incoherently, the remarks
which have now made. Let US go away,
forgetting the past, and looking to the future
resolved to endeavor to restore our Govern
ment to its pristine purity, trusting in Him
who is on high, but who controls all here be-
low, that ere long our Union will be restored,
and that we shall have peace, not only with
all the nations of the earth. but peace and
good will among all parts of the people o [ the
United States. | thank you for the respect
you have manifested to me on this occasion,
and if the time shall come, during the period
Of my existence. when the country is to be
destroyed and its Government overturned, If
you will look out you will find the humble indi
vidnal who stands before you, with you, en-
deavoring to avert its final destruction.
The President retired amid perfect storm
Of applause