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

The American people will speak by
their interests, aud they will know who
are their friends and who their enemies.
What positions have l held under this
Government, beginning with an alderman,
and running through all braches of the
Legislature. Ia voice-"From a tailor
up" Some gentleman says | have been
a tailor. Tremendous applause. Now
that did not discomft me in the least; for
when l used to be a tailor, l had the rep
%utation of being a good one, aud making
close fits, great laughter, always pune.
tual with nay customers, and always did
good work. "A voice-"No patchwork"
No, do not want any patchwork; want
a whole suit; but I will pass by this little
Righteousness.
My friends may say you are President,
and you must not talk about such things.
When principles are involved, my coun-
trymen, when the existence OF my coun-
try is imperiled, | will act as | have on
former occasions, and speak what think.
[ was saying that [ had held nearly all
the positions from alderman through both
branches of Congress to that which | now
occupy, and who is there that will say
Andrew johnson ever made a pledge that
he did not redeem, or made a promise he
did not fulfill?
Who will say that he has ever acted
otherwise than in fidelity to the great
mass of the people? They may talk about
beheading and u%surpation, but when | am
beheaded | want the American people to
witness. I don't want any inuendoes by
Indirect remarks in high places, to see the
man who has assassination breeding in
his bosom, exclaim this presidential OBJ
stacle must be gotten out Of the way.
[ make use of a very strong expression
when I say | have no doubt the intention
was to invite assassination, and get out of
the way the obstacle from place and pow
er. Whether by assassination or not,
there are individuals in this Government,
| doubt not, who want to destroy our in
stitutions and change the character of the
Government. Are they not satisfied with
the blood which has been shed? Does
not the murder Of Lincoln appease the
vengeance and wrath of the opponents of
this Government? Are they still unsha-
ken? Do they still want more blood?-
Have they not got honor and courage
enough to obtain their objects otherwise
than by the hands Of the assassin? No!
no! / an not afraid of assassins attacking
me where a brave and courageous man
would attack another; I only dread him
when he would go in disguise, his foot
step noiseless.
If it is blood they want, let them have
courage enough to strike like men. !
know they are willing to wound, but they
are afraid to strike. [Applause. If my
blood is to be shed because | vindicate
the Union and preservation of this Gov
ernment in its original purity and charity,
let it be shed; let an altar to the Union
be erected, and then, if it is necessary,
take mt and lay me upon it,and the blood
that now warns and animates my exist
ence shall be poured out as a fit libaticn
to the Union of these States. [Great ap-
%plause.] But let the opponents of this
Government remember that when it is
poured out the blood of the martyrs will
be the seed of the church. TChee-s. +
Gentlemen, this Union will grow; it will
continue to increase in strength and pow
er, though it may be cemented and cleans
ed with blood.
1 have talked longer now than I intend
ed. Let me thank you for the honor you
have done me,
So far as this Government is concerned,
let me say one other word in reference to
the amendments to the Constitution oil
the United States. When l reached
Washington for the purpose of being in
augurated Vice President Of the United
States, [ had a conversation with Mr.. Lin
coin. We we're talking about the condi-
ton of affairs, and in reference to matters
in my own State, | said that we had call
ed a Convention, had amended our Con-
stitution by abolishing slavery in the
State, a State not embraced in his proc
lamation. All this met his appreciation
and gave him encouragement, and in
talking upon the amendment of the Con
stitution, he said, "When the amendment
to the Constitution Is adopted by three
fourths of the States we shall have all, OF
pretty nearly all. | am in favor Of amend
ing the Constitution if there was one 9th
er adopted"
Said 1, "What is that, Mr.. President
Said he, II have labored to preserve this
Union; | have toiled -four years; | have
been subjected to calumny and misrep-
resentation, yet my great desire has
been to preserve the Union of those States
intact, under the Constitution as they
were before" "But," said l, "Mr. Pres
ident, what amendment do you refer TOP
He said, she thought there should be an
amendment added to the Constitution
which would compela all the States to send
their Senators and Representatives to a
Congress of the United States; yes, con
pei them" The idea was in his mind
that it was 4 part of the doctrine of Sc
%cession to break up the Government by
States Withdrawing their Senators and
Representatives from Congress; and, there
fore, he desired a Constitutional amend
ment to compel them to be sent.
How now does the matter stand? In
the Constitution of the country,e even that
portion of it which provides for the
amendment of the organic law, says that
no State, without its consent, shall be de.
prived of its representation in Congress.
Now, what do we find? We find the po-
%sition taken that States shall not be rep.
resented, that we may impose taxes, that