Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-08-23
Great Address President johnson the Presen-
tation of the Resolutions and Proceedings OF the
Philadelphia Union Convention.
WASHINGTON, d. G.,

WASHINGTON, D. C., Aug. 18-P. NJ.
There great o-day hear the President
response to Keverdy Johnson, who presented the official
proceedings OF the Convention. The President said,
referring with feeling, to the scene represented of
South Carolina and Massachusetts entering the
venton together he was overcome and could not but
conclude that an everything providence was direct
ing Alright. He said brave have per-
formed their duties in the field and have aures
nperishabe but, turning to Gen. Grant he continued,
there greater and important duties to perform,
and while have had their cooperation in the field
need their efforts to perpetuate peace [Appause The
Executive Department had tried pour oil the
and restore the Union but it had not entirely succeeded
We have in one Department of Government every
effort to prevents the restoration of peace and harmony
in the Union. We have hanging upon the verge
upon the Government, were-a body called, which
while in fact Congress only of part of States We
have this Congress assume and pretend to be for the
disunion and make disruption of the States inevitable
Instead of promoting reconciliation and harmony its leg
saton has partaken of the character OF penalties retail
aton and revenge This has been the and policy
of one portion of your government The humble indi-
another Department of Government. The manner in
which he was called upon to occupy the position, shall
is here under the Constitution of the country, and being
here by virtue Of its provisions he takes his stand
civil and religious liberty. Prolonged cheering.l
Having been taught in my early life to hold it sacred
reer shah ever continue reverence the Constitution
Of my faheEs and make it my guide Hearty applause
he had been yranical despoc But charges
was simply intended to deceive and delude the public
usurpng and trampng upon the rights of the Consti
tuition 1t is done by those who make such charges for
the purpose of covering their acts. That's and
applause
and the Constitution of my country to call the attention
of my cOuntrymen to these proceedings When we come
to examine who has been playing the tyrant by whom do
of my naturehe pursuits of my life, have not made
either in my feeng or in my practice Oppressive Ny
ter but will say that having taken my stand upon the
lot met + Ou6
and prolonged applause.] Having placed myself npon
that broad PLATFORM have not been awed or dsmayed
have stood there i'll conjunction with patriotic spirits
hng Inc nner OF ~nen the
previous occasion, and repeat now that all that
% hs hs rngs a
dibe for the American people to hear and properly
struggle about, determined that they would settle
a aH 16 the s have s OF
pevious occasions, that faith is in the great of
the people In the darkest hour Of this strpgg when
giving loomed up through the Clouds beyond which
I saw that all would be well in the end.
NY countrymen you all know that tyranny and despot-
ISM il the language of Thomas Jefferson, be
cised and excited eectuay by the many than by
by step and violate day after day and months after
MONTHS rights and the fundamental prin
seemed to forget that there limit to the sphere and
scope of legislation. We have seen Congress in mi
nOrlty assume TO exercise power allowed TO be
carried out would result in despotism monarchy ITSELF
This is TRUTH and because others, well myself have
proper to appeal to the patriotism and republican
feeling of the country, have been denounced in the
seres terms SANDER upon SANDER, vturperaton upon
turperation of the most yanous character has made
is way through the press What gentlemen, has been
your and my sin What has been the Of oen-
ling will tell you Daring to stand by the constitu
ion of our fathers.
consider the proceedings of this Convention Sir,
more important than those of Convention that
assembled in the United States Great applause When
look with minds upon that collection of citizens
coming together vounta iy and sitting in council with
deas-with principles and views commensurate with all
he States, and coexensive with the whole people, and
contrast it with the collection of persons who irving
destroy the country regard it important than
Convention that has sat- at least since 1887. Ire
lewed applause.l think may also that the deca-
ations that there made equal to the Declaration
independence ITSELF and here to-day pronounce them
second declaration of Independence (Cres of glorious
and most enthusiastic and prolonged applause IL
address and declarations nothing less
re-afrnation of the Constitution of the United
states. Yes will go farther, and say that the decara
ions you have made that the principles you haye
ated in your address second camaton enan-
pation to the people of the United States TR. wed
lopiause For proelaming and re-proclaming these
great truths you have laid down a constitutional
,latform upon which all make common
ause and stand united together for the
of the States and preservation of the Govern
nent without reference to party The question is the
,y salvation of the country for country above
How