Weekly Trinity journal., 1866-10-06
Johnson's Speech at Cleveland-A Aich
Document.


The speech of johnson at Cleveland was not
reported by telegraph, for some reason unex-
planned in the dispatch. We fancy everybody
will understand why it was not reported who
reads the following from the Cleveland Leader:
FELLOW CITIZENS: 1t is not for the purpose Of
making a speech that now appear before you.
am aware of the great curiosity which prevails
to see strangers who have notoriety and distinc-
ton in the country. l know a large number OF
YOU desire to see General Grant and hear what
he has to say IA voice-"Three cheers for
Grant."1 But you cannot see him tonight; he
is extremely ILL., repeat | am not before you
to make a speech, but simply to make your ac-
quaintance-to say "How are you? and bid you
good-by" We are our way to Chicago, 70
participate in or witness the laying OF the corner
stone of monument to the memory OF distin-
guished fellow citizen who is now no more. 1t
is not necessary for me to mention the name OF
Stephen A. Douglas to the people of Ohio
GApplausel l am free to say l am Aattered by
the demonstrations l have witnessed, and being
fattered, don't mean to think it personal, but
as an evidence of what is prevading the puphc
mind, and this demonstration is neither more
nor less than an indication of the latent senti-
ment or feeling of the great masses OF the people
with regard to this great question.
come before you as an American citizen SIM
v,
the ensignia and paraphernalia of state, but as
an inhabitant of State of this Union know
it has been said that was an alien llaughterJ,
and that did not reside in one of the States OF
the Union, and therefore could not be the Chief
Magistrate, as the Constitution declares that
must be citizen to occupy that office. Ihere-
fore all that necessary to depose It's occu-
pant was to declare the office vacant, or under
pretext to prefer articles of impeachment. ana
thus the individual who occupies the Chlef Mag
istracy was to be disposed of and driven from
power.
There was, two years ago, ticket before you
for the Presidency. ] was placed upon that TICK
ct with distinguished citizen, now no more
[Voices-ss It's pity. " Too bad" " Unfor-
tunate"1 Yes i know there are some who say
" unfortunate" Yes, unfortunate for some that
God rules on high and deals in justice. Yes, un-
fortunate The ways of Providence are myste-
rious and ncomprehensible, controlling aiithose
who exclaim 6 unfortunate" {" Bully for
you."] | was going to say, my countrymen, q
short time since was elected and placed upon
the ticket. There platform proclaimed and
adopted by those who placed me upon it. Not
withstanding mendacous press, notwithstand-
ing subsidized gang of hirelings who have not
ceased to traduce me, / have discharged all my
official duties and fulfilled all my pledges. And
say here tonight that if my predecessor had
lived the vias of wrath would have been poured
out on him. TCries of " Never never " and
g. Three cheers for the Congress of the United
States" :"
came here as was passing along, and hav-
ing been called upon for the purpose of exchang
ing views and ascertaining, if we could, who was
wrong Cries, " You are l''], thnt my object
in appearing before you tonight ] want to sag
that have lived among the American people,
and have represented them in some public capac-
ity for the last twenty-five years. Where is the
man woman who can phase their finger upon
LODI
of mine, or in violation of the Constitution of
the country? [Cheers and cries of "New Or
leans''l Who is he what language does he
speak?-what religion does he profess THAT
can come and place his finger upon one pledge
ever violated, or one principle ever proved false
to? Voice, " New Orleans Another, "Why
don't you hang jeff Davis?'] Hang jeff. Da-
viE [Cries of '' Down with him. Hang jeff.
Davis? Voice, g Hang Wendell Phillips. -
Why don't you hang him +? Cries of "Give US
an opportunity."1 Haven't you got the Courts
Haven't you got the Attorney General? Who is
your Chief Justice who has refused to sit on tri-
al? [Groans and cheers.] | am not the Chief
Justice, l am not the Attorney General, am no
jury. But I'll tell you what did do. | called
upon your Congress that is trying to break up
the Government. [Hisses, and cries of " lie! y
Great confusion. Voice, I" Don't get mad. -
am not mad. [Hisses.] I will tell you who is
mad. % Whom the gods want to destroy they
u.
of them to be tried Three cheers for Congress.l
Then, fellow citizens, we might as well allay
our passion and permit reason to resume her
empire and prevail. In presenting the few re-
marks that | designed to make, my intention
was to address myself to your common sense,
your judgment, your better feelings, not to the
passion and malignancy of your hearts. IA
voice, s'How about Moses?"] This was my OBJ
ject in presenting myself on this occasion, and to
saw &C How d 'yep and &C GOOd-hvp -
In the assembly here tonight the remark has
been made, '' Traitor!' Traitor, my country
menl Will you hear me? [Cries of " Yes RI
And will you hear me for my cause, and for the
Constitution of my country? re- Yes, yes; 60
on."1 l want to know when, or where, or un-
der what circumstances Andrew Johnson, not as
Executive, but in any capacity, ever deserted
any principle, violated the Constitution of
this country? ["Never, never."] Let me ask
this large and intelligent audience if your Secre-
tary of State, who served four years under Lin
coin, and who was placed upon the butchers
block, as it were, and hacked and gashed all to
pieces, SCARED by the assassin's knife-when ne
turned traitor? TCries of "Never."J II were
Opposed to play the orator and deal IN deciama ma
ton even tonight would initiate one OF the
ancient tragedies, and would take Seward, bring
him before you, and point you TO the PACKS anu
scars upon his person. voice. zoo press
saturated with gore from his gaping wounds
Then 7 would ask you who is the traitor? IA
voice. "Thad Stevens."] Why don't you hang
Tbad Stevens and Wendell Phillips? [Cheers.]
have been fighting traitors in the South
They have been whipped and crushed. They
acknowledge their defeat and accept the terms
of the Constitution. And now, as go around
the circle, having fought traitors at the South,
am prepared to fight them at the North
lCheers.] God being willing, with your help
fCries of {" we won't give itr'] They will be
crushed North and this glorious Union of ours
will be preserved [Cheers.] 1 do not come
here as the Chief Magistrate of twenty-five States
out of thirty-six. [Cheersl l come here to-
night with the flag of my country and the con-
stellation of of thirty-six stars untarnshed Are
you for dividing the country? [Cres of "Nop'1
Then am President of the whole United States.
[Cheers.] l will tell you another thing. un-
derstand the discordant notes in this crowd to-
night. He who is opposed to the restoration of
[coscLuDED on roonrH rAcE.]