Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-02-28
TaE gAFTsmA0ss JoUR0A1,

of the States, we shall have all or pretty
nearly all. | am in favor OF amending the
Constitution if there was another adopted
Said |, What is that, Mr.. President? Said
he have labored to preserve this Union L
have t0iied tour years | have been subject
ed to calumny and MISREPRESENTATION yet
my great desire has been to preserve the
Union Of these States intact under the Con-
stitution, as they wera before. But, said [,
MIR. President what amendment do you re-
fer to? He said He thought there should
be an amendment added TO the Constitution.
which would compel all the States to send
their Senators and Representatives TO the
Congress Of the United States-yes compel
them. The idea was in his mind that it
was a part Of the doctrine of secession TO
break up the Government by the States
Withdrawing their Senators and RepreSen-
taves from Congress ; and therefore he de-
sired a Constitutional amendment to compel
them to be sent
How now does the matter stand? In the
Constitution of the country, even that por-
tion of it which provides for the amend
ment, the organic laws says that no State
without its consent, shall be deprived OF its
representation in the Senate, and now what
| do we find? We find the position taken,
| that States shall not be represented, that
we may impose taxes, that we may send out
tax gathererS to every region and portion OF
State, that the people are to be oppressed
with taxes. but when they come here to par
ticipate in the legislation Cf' the country they
| are met at the door, and told, no lou must
pay your taxes you must bear the burden
| of the government, but you must not par
ticipate in the legislation Of the country,
which is TO affect you for ali time. Is this
just? (No no,
The very policy that | am now pursuing
was pursued by me under his administra-
ton, | having been appointed by him In a
particular position for that purpose An
| inscrutable Providence saw proper to re-
move him from this to, [ trust, better
world and | calne into this place, and there
is not a principle OF his in reference to the
restoration of the Union from which | have
! departed. The war is not simply upon me,
| but it is upon my predecessor also
| have tried to do my duty, and | know
that some are enyious and Jealous and
speak Of the White House as having attrac-
! tions for the President Let me say to You,
the charms of the " bite House have as lit
tie influence on me as upon any Individual
in this country, and much less upon me
| than upon those who are talking about it
The difference between the little that sut-
| fees 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 lny country, to my
| children and to the inner man, Is all the re-
I ward | ask (Grear applause
In conclusion let me ask this vast con
| course here to- day. this vast sea OF upturned
faces, TO come with me or | viii so with
you, and stand around the Constitution Of
our country. 1t Is again untolded. he
! reOple are invited 90 read and understand.
| to sustain and maintain It's provisions.
Let Us stand by the constitution OF our
| fathers though the heavens fall; though fac
ton shOuld rage; though taunts and ieers
may come; though abuse aud yituperation
may be poured out in the most violent form.
| mean to be found standing by the COnsti-
tuition as the chief ark Of our safety-as the
palladium of our civil and our religious
| liberty.
Yes, let US cling to it as the mariner
ciugs to the last plank when the night and
the tempest close around him. Let rs &C
away from the past, and, looking to the fu-
| ture, resolve TO endeayor TO restore our Gov
ernment to its purity, trusting in Him who
| Is high, but who controls all here below,
that ere long our Union will berestored, and
we shall have peace not only with all the
nations Of the earth, but peace and good
viii among all parts Of the people of the
| Unired States.
When your country is gone, and you are
about that place, look out and you viii find
the humble individual who ROW stands be-
fore you, weeping over its final dissolution.