Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-03-02
The Presidents Speech.

IcIHaPs M speccu VI any Pu"hC "'"I
has ever 50 excited the political pulse as
that uttered by President johnson last
week. The Union press, with scarce an
exception. express more or less rcgret,and
disapprovsl. Many papers, and many
good Union men who approve the policy
of the administration, as indicated in the
veto message. were panied by the tone OF
many parts of the speech.
Mr.. Johnson did not address the multi
tude, in his official capacity. but simply as
a citizen talking to his fellow citizens
With our New England ideas of official
dignity and propriety, we may justly OK
press our regret at the attack made upon
Messrs. Simmer, and Stevens, though they
undeniably had given ample provocation.
The President however, was bred in
Tennessee where different ideas prevail
and we should not condemn him too hasti
ly. Allowance should he made for his
temperament AMI education. He sprans
from the people, and has won his way up
step by step. to his present dignifed pc.
sition: and being educated in the South
Western school Of politics, he had been
accustomed always to express himself
frankly, and forcibly about political oppon.
ents. Called to the Presidency at time
SO critical, he endeavored to pursue q
course that seemed to him best calculated
to accomplish the desired ends. He was
angered at the harsh and unscemly attacks
made upon him by some of the more radi.
cal members of Congress, hence the
speech.
We can but feel that the speech has
done little good to the cause of the Union,
and of Liberty. Whether or not, so in.
tended by the President, it has given joy
to all those who had so persistently oppos-
cd his election. Though he should not
be held responsible COR the rcioicings Of
the opposition. union men naturally regret
the occasion of it.
The Union party, as party, has pot as
yet pronounced for or against the Presi-
dents policy, and We see no reason to fear,
that Mr.. johnson intends 10 desert his
principles and friends.
Below we give some extracts from the
speech of Senator Sherman, who seems to
reflect the views of some moderate Union
men. This view, and Mr. Fcssenden's, will
give our readers an idea of The situation:
He did not think that Andrew johnson
had acted inconsistency with the duties he
owed to the great Union party, but with
regret he felt compelled, in the discharge
of his duties as q representative of the pco-
pie, to express his deep disapprobation of
some of his recent acts. and particularly
that speech on the 22d of February. Eve.
ry true friend Of Andrew johnson must re-
greet that he descended to pandcr to the
mob which so fiercely camorcd around the
Executive Mansion. 1t is true that he
might feel aggrievcd at the haste of Cen
gress in appointinga Committee to inquire
into the condition of the late rebellious
States, but he should never have allowed
himself to aSsdil n coordinate branch of the
and mention members of it
lay name. Mr.. johnson had not the easy,
good nature Of Mr. Lincoln. against whom
all assaults fell as on cushion Andrew
Johnson was not noted for his good nature.
aud 1t must be urged in palliation that the
gentleman named had alluded to him in n
way to sting and wound his scnsitivencss.
Wendell Phillips had declared him an alien
enemy and not Il citizen of the United
States. Mr.. Stevens had. in Il speech in
the House. said that king OF Great Brit
ain would have lost his head for assuming
the same position as the President. cue
other part of the Presidents speech. Ii,
tMr. ;. thought was more unfortunate
He meant the alluson to threats of assassi-
nation. H. had read papers of all shades
of party opinion and had never seen the
slightest intmation of such thing liz
thought, leaving out these two incidents.
there was much in the speech we could
svmpatliize with. Mr. s. then alluded to
the case of Tennessee. and claimed that
she was reconstructed ieforc the war was
over; that her representatives were as lov-
al rs any on this floor. lie thought that
the Committee on Reconstruction should
bring in resolution providing for the i'm
mediate admission Of these States. He
was. however, in favor of making a gulf as
deep and rs broad as from heaven to hell
between the loyal men and the rebels
With regard to the veto message of the
President, he tMr 81 WAS willing that his
course shonld he Judged by the country,
but they would not deny the same right Ia
the President to think for himself. He
had right to veto the bill if he thought
proper, and he must confess that after the
order extending the duration of the Freed
mems Bureau for one year. the bill was
not so necessary. He regarded the allu-
sion to direct taxation as more suited to a
stump speech. They taxed the p aople Of this
district md of the territories and rul d
them absolutely and vet did not allow
them representation They were bound
to take care of those people they had freed
The white people can take care of them
selves.
All the powers Of hell could not enslave
the free white people of AMERICA. but
these freed people. if left TO the tender
mercies OF their former masters, would he
re enslaved. AS long as Andrew johnson
protects them he would give him his sup.
port. but if he was dereleet he would de,
nounee him as quick as any other Senator
MIR. 5 then alluded to the rumor that the
President was about to separate himsel
from his party.
lie said he could not do it in honor
He owed a debt of Obligation Ia the groat