Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1866-03-02
ROCKVILLE, CMd) FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH @ 1866

that attempted to secede comply with the
Constitution, and give sufficient evidence
of loyalty, | shall extend to them the
right hand of fellowship, and let peace
and union be restored. | am opposed
to the Davises, the Toombses, the
Slidells, and the long list of such. But
when l perceive on the other hand mem
[ A voice, "Call them off. ~ Il care not
by what name you call them-still OPP
posed to the Union, am free to say to
you that am still with the people. !
am still for the preservation of these
States-for the preservation of this
Union, and in favor of this great Govern
ment accomplishing its destiny.
Here the President was called upon
to give the names Of three of the mem
bers of Congress to whom he had alluded
as being opposed to the Union.
The gentleman calls for three names.
| am talking to my friends and fellow
citizens here. Cheers. Suppose I
should name to you those whom I look
upon as being opposed to the funda-
mental principles of this Government,
and as now laboring to destroy them. /
say Thaddeus Stevens, of Pennsylvania !;
| say Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts !;
| say Wendell Phillips, of Massachusetts
Great cheering, and a voice, +" For
ney P'l
| do not waste my fire on dead ducks
Laughter. | stand for the country, and
though my enemies may traduce, SLAM
der, and vituperate, 1 may say that has
no force.
In addition to this, I do not intend to
be governed by real or pretended friends,
nor do | intend to be bullied by my enc
mics. Cheers. An honest conviction
is my sustenance, the Constitution my
guide. l know, my countrymen, that
it has been insinuated- nay. said direct
ly, in high places that if such usur-
patton of power had been exercised two
hundred years ago, in particular reigns,
it would have cost an individual his head
What usurpation has Andrew johnson
been guilty of !? Cheers and cries of
" None" My only usurpation has been
committed by standing between the peo-
pie and the encroachments of power. -
And because dared say in conversa-
ton with a fellow. citizen and Senator
too, that thought amendments to the
Constitution ought not to be so frequent,
lest the instrument lose all its sanctity
and dignity, and be wholly lost sight Of
in short time, and because | happened
to say in conversation that I thought
that such and such an amendment was
all that ought to be adopted, i. was said
that had suggested such usurpation
of power as would have cost king his
head in certain period In connec-
ton with this subject, one has exclaimed
that we are in the "midst of earthquakes
and he trembled." Yes, there is an
earthquake approaching, there is a
ground-swell coming of popular judg-
ment and indignation. The American
people will speak, and by their instinct,
if in no other way, know who are their
friends, when and where and In whatever
position | stand-and / have occupied
many positions in the Government, 60
ing through both branches Of the Legis-
lature. Some gentleman here behind
me says, "And was a taitor." Laugh
ter Now, that don't affect me in the
least. When I was a tailor | always
made close fit, and was always punctu-
al to my customers, and did good work
A Voice. "No patchwork.
The PRESIDENT. No, did not want
any patchwork. But we pass by this
depression limitations have been thrown
out-and when principles are involved
and the existence of my country imper-
illed, will, as on former occasions, speak
what I think. Yes Cost him his head !!
Uusurpation When and where have /
been guilty of this ? Where is the man,
in all the positions I have occupied, from
that Of Alderman to the Vice Presiden-
cy, who can say that Andrew johnson
ever made pledge that he did not re-
deem, or ever made promise that he
violated, or that he acted with falsity to
the people
They may talk about beheading, but
when / am beheaded want the Ameri-
Cdh poupiO W uo buG WlJbSHS. NuScTb. |
| do not want by innuendoes Of an in
direct character in high places to have
one say to man who has assassination
broiling in his heart, sthere is a fit sub
jcct," and also exclaim that the " Presi-
dental obstacle must be got out Of the
way, when possibly the intention was to
institute assassination. Are those who
want to destroy our institutions and
change the character of the Government
not satisfied with the blood that has been
shed? Are they not satisfied with one
martyr? Does not the blood of Lincoln
appease the vengeance and wrath of the
opponents of this Government Is their
thirst still unslaked? Do they want
more blood? Have they not honor and
courage enough to effect the removal of
the Presidential obstacle otherwise than
through the hands of the assassin? l
am not afraid OF assassins but if it
must be, l would wish to be encountered
where one brave man can oppose an
other. l hold him in dread only who
strikes like men, 0 know they are will
ling to wound, but they are afraid to
strike j if my blood is to be shed because