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

ton, and | say the time has come to take
the Constitution down, unroll it, read it,
and understand its provisions.
| came here to vindicate the Constitu.
ton and to save it, for it does seem to me
that encroachment after encroachment is
proposed. l stand to-day prepared. so
far as | can, to resist these encroachments
upon the Constitution and Government.
l tell the opponents of this Govern
ment-I care not from what quarter they
come-you who are engaged in breaking
up the Government by amendments to
the Constitution, that the principles of
free Government are deeply rooted in the
American heart. All the powers com
bined, I care not Of what character, they
cannot destroy that great instrument, that
great chart of freedom. They may seem
to succeed fo1 a time, but their attempts
will be futile.
They may think now that it can be done
by a concurrent resolution. butwhen it is
submitted to the popular Judgment and
to the popular will, they will find that
they might about as well undertake to in
troduce a resolution to repeal the laws of
gravity as to keep this Union from being
restored.
1t is just about as feasible to resist the
great law of gravitation which binds all
to a common center, as that great law
which will bring back these States to their
regular relations with the Union. Ihave
detained you longer than I intended. Ia
voice, eco on
We are in a great struggle. I am your
instrument, Who is there I have MOI
toiled and labored for? Where is the mar
or woman, either in public or private life
who has not always received my attention
or my timer Pardonthe egotism. They
say that man johnson is a lucky man:
that no man can defeat me. I will tell
you what constitutes luck. 1t is due to
right and being for the people; that j:
what constitutes good luck.
Some how or other the people will fine
out and understand who is tor and who il
against them. | have been placed in as
many trying positions as any mortal man
was ever placed in, but so far | have no
deserted the people, and | believe they
will not desert me. What principle hayt
l violated? What sentiments have ]
sweryed from? They can not put then
finger upon it. Have you heard then
point out any discrepancy? Have yor
heard them quote my predecessor, who
fell a martyr to. his country's cause, as
going in opposition or in contradiction te
anything that | have done? The very
policy which am pursuing now was pur'
sued under his administration; was being
pursued by him when that inscrutable
Providence saw fit to summon him
trust to a better world than this. Where
is there one principle, adopted by him, il
reference to this restoration, that | have
departed from? None, none.
The very policy that l am now pursu:
ing was pursued by me under his admin
istration, I having been appointed by hin
in a particular position for that purpose
An i~nscrutable Providence saw proper
to remove him from this to, | trust,a bet
ter world, and I came into his place, ant
there is not a principle of his in references
to the restoration of the Union from
which | have departed. bss
Then the war is not simply upon nae
but it is upon my predecessor also.
have tried to do my duty. know tina
some are e%nvious and jealous, and speal
of the White House as having attraction
for the President. Let me say to you
the charms of the White House have a
little influence upon me as upon any indi
vidualin this country, and much less up
on me than upon those who are talking
about it. The difference between the lit
tie that %sufices for my stomach and bacl
and more than enough has no charms TO
me.
The proud and conscious satisfaction o
having performed my duty to my coun
try, to my children and to the inner man
is all the reward | ask. Great applause
In conclusion, let me ask shis vast con
course here to-day-this sea of upturnec
faces-to come with me, or l will go with
you, and stand around the Constitution
of our country. 1t is again unfolded.
The people are invited to read and uu-
derstand, sustain and maintain its pro
visions, Let us stand by the Constitu
ton of our fathers, though the heavens
although factions should rage, though
taunts and jeers may come, though abuse
and vituperation may be poured out il
the most yirulent form, I mean to STANG
by the Constitution as the chief ark o
our safety, as the palladium of civil
and our religious liberty. 55
Yes, let US cling to it as the mariner
clings to the last plank when the nigh
and the tempest close around him. LIE
US go away forgetting the past and look
ing to the future, resolved to endeavor t.
restore our Government to its pristine pur
rity, trusting in Him who is on high, buI
who controls all here below, that ere Ions
our Union will be restored, and we shall
have peace, not only with all the nation
of the earth, but peace and good viii
among all parts of the people Of the Uni
ted States. When your country is gone
and you are without that peace, look out
and you will find the humble individual
who now stands before you weeping oye
its ruins. 4,aa4xs
--~--r-- a4
CURE FOR THE SMALL Pox.-Af rien'
has kindly given us the following recip'
for the cure Of smallpox. The mode Q
treatment is as follows When the proceed
ing fever is at its hight, and just befof'
the eruption appears, the chest is rubbet