The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-15

I endorse his president Jahnson,) senti-
ments, proclaimed by him in Nashville the
night he was nominated Vice President
Speaker CoifGr.
The above declaration was made by
Speaker Colfax in a public speech,
made at Washington, Monday night Is
il true2 Far from it. Ar. COlfax, ike
other radicals, select certain portions
Of that speech and pretend to approve
them. They do this, not to support the
President and to advance his views,
but because they desire to convict him
of inconsistency. There never was a
period in the history Of this nation
when there was 50 little reverence for
truth amonest men in high positions,
or so little regard for principle, or the
restraints of law. A great de, OF this
is owing 10 the encroaohments and
nsurpations which prevailed during the
war. and nurtured loose ideas OF jus
iice. right and law. II is time, now,
that public men were retsacing their
steps-conforming TO constitutional
Limitations, aud intoxicating higher
moral principles. As Speaker OF the
Wouse Mr. Colfax ought TO set an ex-
annie of honesty, candor and fair deal
ing lie is opposed to the President
and his policy Of reorganization In
that he is but exercising his right as
an kmoricsu citizen. But let him not
sail under false colors. Strike like q
man. fearlessly, but honestly.
In the speech referred to by Speaker
Colfax. Mr.. johnson assumed the 20
sition that the Baltimore Convention
had announoed that the right of seoes-
sion aud the power Of State to place
itself outside Of the Union were not
recognized Tennessee had been IN
rebellion against the government and
wared A reasonable war, Just as other
Sontbern States had done. She had
seeded lust as much as other States
had. and left the Union a. far as she
had any power 10 do so. Nevertheless,
the National Convention had declared
that a State cannot put itself from I'M
der the national authority. Ii said by
ia first nomination, that Presidents
lincoln was the man ts steer the ship
of State for the next four years Next
itsaid-if he (Johnson) might be per
mitted 10 speak for himself not in the
way of vanity, but to illustrate prin-
cinle-oWe will go into one Of the re
bellious States and choose a candidate
for the Vice Presidency. Thus, said
be tbe Union Party declared its belief
that the rebelIious States are stu in
the Union, and that their loyal oiti-
zens are still citizens Of the United
States
Now this is the most important of
all the uttsranoes Of Mr.. johnson in
the speech in question Il is the cor
ner stone of-his reconstruction policy.
But Mr. Colfax chooses 10 ignore it,
and whilst advocating different re-
construction policy policy which re-
cards the Southern States rs not in the
Union. and their citizens rs aliens,
prelends to endorse the speech. Can
eiIrontery 80 farther
That President johnson meant the
above speech as Al indication Of his
policy, and his understanding Of the pol
icy Of the Union Party, is evident from
his reference 70 itin his letter formally
accepting the nomination
Again, in bis inaugural address, he
said "Il Is the doctrine Of the Federal
Constitution that no State can 80 out
Of this Union; and moreover Congress
cannot eject State from this Union.
This is the true doctrine Is has
been consistently affirmed and main,
tanned by Mr.. johnson all the time.
Mr. Colfax and his radical brethren are
opposed 10 il, and are seeking 10 pre-
vent its being carried out in the admin
istrauon Of the Government They
cannot do this, aud claim sincerely 10
endorse the speech referred 10 by Mr.
C. in which il is enunciated
In conclusion, we would ask Mr. Col |
fax, aud all who like him, endeavor 20 |
make Il appear that the President has
departed from the policy Of the Union |
Party, 10 read and familiArizs them /
selves with the Baltimore Platform.
They will discover that he has not been
false 10 any doctrine proPounded by il
but that the radicals themselves have
departed widely from ils well oOnsid-
cred and healing policy. Il