The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-03-06

ias inscribed upon the stone which she
has deposited in that monument of free
dom which is being raised in commemo-
ration of Washington.
She is struggling to get back into the
Union, and to stand by the sentiment that
is there inscribed, and she is willing to
sustain it. What is it? 1t is the sen.i-
ment which was enunciated by her dis
tinguished son, the immortal Jackson
"The Federal Union, it must be preserv-
ed" If it were possible for that old
man, whose statue is now before me, and
whose portrait is behind me, in the Exc
%cutive mansion, and whose sentiment is
thus preserved in that monument in your
vicinity,to be called forth from the grave;
or if it were possible to communicate
with the spirit of the illustrious dead, and
make him understand the progress Of fac
ton, and Of rebellion and treason, he
would turn over in his coffin, and he wo'd
rise, and shaking off the habiliments of
the tomb, would again stand erect and ex-
tend forth his long arm and finger, and
reiterate that sentiment once expressed by
him on a memorable occasion: "The
Federal Union must be preserved" We
have witnessed what has transpired since
his day.
In 1888, when treason and treachery
and infdelity to the Government and the
Constitution of the United States stalked
forth, it was ~his-power and influence that
crushed the serpent in its incipiencY. 1t
was then stopped, but only for a time
A spirit of disaffection continued. There
we're men disaffected to the Government,
both in the North aud South. There was
in a portion Of the Union a peculiar in
stitution, of which some complained, and
to which others were attached. One por-
ton Of our ceuntrymep, in the South, ad-
vocated that institution, while another
portion, in the North, opposed it. The
result was the formation of extreme par
ties; one especially in the South, which
reached a point at which it was proposed
to dissolve the Union Of the States, for
the purpose, as we said, of securing and
preserving that peculiar Institution
There was another portion Of our coun-
trymen who were opposed to that insti-
tuition, and who went to such an extreme
that they were willing to break up the
Government in order to get clear of that
peculiar institution of the South.
I say these things because I desire to
talk plainly and in familiar phraseology.
I assume nothing here to day beye-ii the
position Of a citizen-one who has been
pleading for his country and the preser-
walton of the Constitution. These two
parties, as I say, were arrayed against
each other, and I stand here before you
for the Union to-day as l stood in the
Senate Of the United States in 1860 and
1861. I met there those who were ma
king war upon the Constitution, those
who wanted to disrupt the Government
and I denounced them in my place, then
and there, and exposed their true char
acter. l said that those who were engag-
ed in the work of breaking up the Gov
eminent were traitors. | have never
ceased, on all proper occasions, to repeat
that sentiment, and as far as my efforts
could go l have endeavored to carry it
out.
1 say that when these States comply
with the Constitution; when they have
given sufficient evidence of their loyalty,
and that they can be trusted, when they
yield obedience to the law, [ say extend
to them the right hand Of fellowsEip,anG
let peace and Union be restored.
But then, gentlemen,as we swing round
the %circle,I have fought traitors and trea-
son in the South, I opposed the Davises,
and Toombses, and Slidells, and a long
list of others, whose names | need not
repeat; and now. when / turn round at
the other end Of the line, l find men, |
care not by what name you call them,
A voice-"Call them traitors" who
still stand opposed to the restoration OF
the Union Of these States. and | am free
to say to you that l am still for the pres
ervation of the compact.
I am still for the restoration Of this
Union. l am still in favor of this great
Government of ours, living and following
out its destiny. "A voice, "Give us the
names" A gentleman calls for their
names; well, suppose 1 should give them?
ia voice, ''we know them."] l look up
on them, l repeat it, as President or citi-
zen, as much opposed to the fundamental
principles of the Government and believe
they are as much laboring to prevent or
destroy them, as were the men who
fought against us. A voice, "What are
the names?"] I say Thaddeus Stevens Of
Pennsylvania, Tremendous applause, |
say Charles Sumner, [great applause,
say Wendell Phillips, and others of the
same stripe, all among them. A voice.
"Give it to Forney."] Some gentleman
in the crowd says give it to Forney.
have only just to say, that do not waste
ammunition upon dead ducks. Laugh
ter and applause.
;, | stand for my country, | stand for the
Constitution, where | placed my feet
from my entrance into public life. They
may traduce me; they may SANDER; they
may vituperate; but let me say to you
that it has no effect upon me. [Cheersi
Let me say in addition that | do not In
tend to be bullied by enemies. Ap-
plause and cry, ssThe people will sustain
YOU" l know, my countrymen, that il
has been insinuated, not only insinuated,
but said directly-the intimation has
been given in high places-that if such
a usurpation of power had been exercised
two hundred years ago in a particular
reign, it would have cost a certain indi'
vidual his head. What usurpation has
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