The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-08-30

We have seen Congress in minority
assume to eScreise power, which, if al
lowed to be carried out, would result IN
dcspotism or monarchy itself fEnthu-
siastic applause. ] This is truth and
because others, as well as myself, have
seen proper to appeal to the patriotism
and republican feeling Of the country,
we have been denounced in the severcst
terms Slandor upon slauder, vitupcra.
ton upon yituperation Of the most vii
laiuous character, has made its way
through tho press. What, gentlemen,
has been your and my sinY What has
been the cause Of our offending ? / will
tell you: Daring TO stand by the Con-
stitution Of our fathers. (Approacliing
Senator Johnson) ] consider the PRO
ecediugs Of this Convention, sir, as more
important than those ofahy~ convention
that ever assembled in the United States
fGrcat applause ] When look with this
minds eye upon that collection of citi-
zens coming together voluntarily, aud
sitting in council with ideas, with prin-
ciplcs, and views commensurate with all
the States. and cocxtensive with the
whole people, and contrast il with the
collection Of gentlemen who are trying
to destroy the country, ] regard it as
more important than any Convention
that has sat--at least since l7S7. Re-
ncwed applause think may also
say that the declarations that were there
made are equal to the Declaration Of
Independence itself, and here today
pronounce them second Declaration Of
Independence [Cries of "Glorious,' -
aud MOS enthusiastic and prolonged ap.
plau,c Your address aud declarations
are nothing mote nor loss than a roafIir.
nation Of tie Consultation ofthe United
States TCrics OF Good, and applause. !
Yes, viii 20 farther aud say that
the declarations you have made, that
the principles you have cnuneiatGd in
your address are a second proclamation
Of emancipation to the people of the
United States Renewed applause
For in prociaiuing and rcproclniming
these great truths. you have laid down
a Constitutional platform upon which
all can make common cause aud stand
united together for the restoration Of
tbs Sl8jos and the preservation of the
Government, withou, reference 10 party,
I'll, question only IS the salvation OF the
Cove nmrut, with ref renee TO party.
Tho question only is tho country; for
oar country rises above al! party con
sJiora,lon or influences lCriea Of
Good and applause ] How many
are there iu tho United State. that now
require 10 be free, They have the
shacklrs uIon their limbs and nrc bound
as rig.liy ae though thcy were IN fact
10 slavery repeat, then, that your
declaration is che sccond proclamation
Of emancipation to the people Of the
United Siptcs. aud Offers common
ground upon which all patriots cnn
stand LApFiau.c
Mr Chairman aud gentlemen, let mc
ia this connection ask what have / TO
gain more than the advancement Of the
public weliarcy am as much oppo-
-,l 90 iha indulgence Of cgotism as any
one bat here, IN conversational man.
ueg while formally receiving the pro.
cagdur o. this Convention. may be
permitted again To ask what have to
ssiu. consulting human ambition, more
than ! have gained. except In uuc thing
SIS race ts nearly run | have been
placed ia the high Office which I occu-
py under the Constitution Of the coun.
try. agi may say chat / have held
from lowest 20 highest almost every
position to which man m,y attain in
our Government | have passed
through every position from Alderman
Of yilIgec to the Presidency of the
t'fir1 States, And suroly, e 'lon ea,
this should be enough to crafty rca-
+ouablo ambition
II wanted authority, or If | wished
to pcrpctuatc my own power, how easy
it would have been to hold and WELD
that which was placed in my hands by
tho measure called the Freedmcn's Bu-
rcau bill Laughter aud applause. -
With an army which it placed at my
direction could have remained at the
capital Of the nation, and with fifty or
sixty millions Of appropriations at my
disposal, with the machinery TO be wor-
ked by my satraps aud dependents in
every town aud village, aud then with
the Civil Rights bin following as an
auxiliary [lunghtcrl, in connection with
all the other appliances Of the Govern
meut ! could have proclaimed myself
dictator. ['That's true" aud APP
plausc
But, gentleman. my pride aud my
ambition have been to occupy that posi-,
ton which retains all power in the
hands Of the people. [Grcat cheering ]
IL Is upon that | have always relied it
is upon that ! rely now--[A voice
And the people will not disappoint
YOU l-and | repeat that neither the
taunts nor jeers Of Congress, nor of a
subsidized, eliminating press, can
drive me from my purpose. Great ap-
plause
acknowledge no superior, except my
God, the author Of my existence, and
the people of the United States. Pro
longed aud enthusiastic cheering. +
For the one, try to obey all His COM
mands as best ] can, compatible with
my poor humanity For the other, in
political and representative sense, the
high bohests Of the people have always
been respected and obeyed by me-
[Applause.
Mr. Chairman, have said more than
| Ind intpnded tn sov For tho L;od