The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-12-20
JOHNSON ". JOHNSON.

In his Message 10 Congress Andrew johnson
de,otes much space in his argument against ne
gro suaraee He insists that tho difference be-
tween the black man and the white man Is phys
teal, moral AMI mental, and therefore they, the
negroes, should remain In subseryienee to thOse
he terms the superior race, or should DO thrust
from the country.
.sThe blacks in the South are entitled to be
well AMI humanely gorerned and to have the
rrotecton Of Just laws for all their rights Of
person and property. II il were practicable at
this time 10 give them government exclusively
thtir ova, under which they might manage
their own affairs in their own way, Il would be-
come a grave question whether we ought to do
30, or whether common humanity would not
require US to save them from themselves"
Those are Mr.. Johnson's words, not his enc
my's, and by them We may judge him. He de-.
lights in attempting to prove in q State Paper.
the inftriori,y Of race in the country where
they have been slaves, by contrasting their men,
tai and moral Status with those Of the whites,
and stupidity urges upon Congress that II the
country places . ballot in the hand into which
il placed u musket, that ruin will soon overtake
Us. Mr. johnson did not, II he was sincere,
always think 50. lie did not Always believe that
the black hal no other rights in the land except
the right to be taxed AMI governed. II dates
not beyon,l the memory Of US all, when Mr..
johnson in 1864 allrcssei the colorcd men Of
Nashville, and said:
al speak now as one who feels the world his
country, anil all who love equal rights his
frcmls. am here ON my own soil; and here
mcm to stay and light this great battle Of truth
anil Justice Ia "a triumphant end. Rebellion AMI
slavery shall, by Coils help, no longer pollute
our State. Loyal neR, rheiher rhiie or bidck,
shall alone eORiToi her dssiiRiss; and when this
strife in which We are al engaged is past,
know we shall have better state Of things, anil
shall all rejoice that honest labor raps the fruit
Of its'own industry, and that every man has u
fair chance in the race Of liie."
Was he sincere then when he spoke those
brave worls, or was he at 50 early u stage the
gigantic dcn,agogue he has since proved him
SIC to be, Which is right, Alexander the sill
,ersmi,h. or Alexander the eOppersmith'
Upon that platform Of principles In Recon-
struction. as set forth by Mr.. johnson in 1864,
&c Republican party stand to-day, and those
principles have been their guide in their great
work Of restoring the country. Power shall be
given only TO loyal men, AMI that man who can
carry u mtskct in defence Of the country, can also
vote in its defence; while loyal black man is in
every respect more valuable citizen than white
traitor. That is the essence Of the Republican
cpcel, AMI with that enuneiation comes that nee
essary ereci Of life to a Rspublic-hOncst labor
SHALL rcap the rewards OF ITS own industry, and
ersry msn, no he white or black, shall have n
fair chance In the race Of life.
sgsh 4 platform of principles should of ne
costly gather to is support the labOring and
working men OF the country, AMI all those who,
in the event Of tyranny, would be destroyed.
1t Is only by u drn adherence to equal and eS-
act Justice to all men that the liberties Of this
country can be secured and preserved.
II the party in opposition to the Republicans
do not dcsirc the success Of these principles
which, like the ten commandments, have been
iTOlu INC tiinc VI our rhaneis opoShaay "ioSh
out for all lovers of liberty in the republic, II
follows that they must support the contrary,
which is liberty and fair chance to the few
and expressions to the many. The American
people know too well who have been the friends
Of the government to hand over themselves to
Its enemies They might have done il more
gracefully months ago, than they can do il now.
They might have ordered Grant to march out
his soldiers in parade, to deliver up their arms
10 Lee. or when Sherman was on his way to the
SEA. he might have marched into JohnstOn's
tents anil there have lain down his arms. There
could have been some excuse for such an act,
hut there can he No excuse for q surrender to
TIE enemy now.
What say you reader, shall we enslaye and
lisfranchisc the loyal soldier, or the loyal man
who is black AMI who fought for the government
when il ncolcl his all. or shall we fight il out
on this line, that all men shall have fair chance
in the rice Of life'