The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1867-09-19

may be happy and prosperous, and
in order that the Southern people
may be happy and prosperous =
The latter supposed they could
fare better without us. We believed
we could fare better as one people
and one nation. The South thought
slavery the best matefial upon
which 10 build an empire We be.
licyed freedom the only safe foun
dation for a republic. These ques-
ti6ns were decided by the sword
The North won the battle. We
now say to the Southern people,
come and enjoy with us the bless.
ings which u republican govern
pent, based upon equal rights, j.,
sure 10 bring; tut as you fonght
against such a government, and
have not yet been able to appreci
ate its blessings, you must permit
us TO take the lead in putting the
machinery in place, and running il
until tineshallsa satisfy you that war
for the destruction Of government
where all power is derived from
the people is a bad business. Be
cause We thus seek to protect our
selves; and because we thus seek TO
preserve for our children and your
children the only republican gov.
efnment on the face of the elrth,
are we TO be charged with hating
yon?
This brings me 10 speak briefly Of
THE TWO PLANS.
The question coming under this
head is narrowed down 10 this
Whether Andrew johnson, repre-
senting the encEies Of the Govern
mcnt, shall reconstruct the seeded
States in the interests of the rebels
or whether this work shall be done
by the National Congress, repre-.
senting the people Of the nation
This is the question you are called
upon 10 decide in October. Which
do you prefer One man, and that
Andrew Johnson, or the represent
atives of the people in Congress as
scmbled?
Much is said in this connection
about usurpation and despotism.
Who is the usurper? Who is the
despot?
The President, at the close ofthe
armed rebellion, destroyed the
governments then in existence in
the southern States, and went to
work to organize new ones. These
were gotten up a. the point Of the
bayonet. The President instructed
as to what should go Into the con-
stitutions and what should be kept
out, and he was obcyed. But the
people knew they could net be held
by those instruments, no moro
than a man could be compelled to
pay motto signed under the moral
suasion Of pistol in the hands oi
robber, and pointed at his head
Had the Southern States been re-
stored to power, and had their
representatives been admitted tc
Congress under the Johnson Or
ganizations they would have found
an easy way out of the position in
which they had been placed.
But Congress disapprovod of the
Presidents plan, as it had o right
to do, and as it was its duty to do
Mr. Johnson himself and Secretary
Seward advised the Southern people
that their organizations would be
subject to the approval or disaprov
al OF Congress. 1t was thought
however, at that time, that Con
gress would go with the President
and it was not until il refused L
approve, that johnson claimed III,
right to reconstruct. The quarre
began the moment Congress assert
ed its constitutional power. w,
know the lest Congress proposes
a plan, and through the infuenc,
of the president it was rejected
II is well that it was rejected
Had it been accepte'; as 6 N ra
Grant is reported to have said, W,
should now have ten enemies in tn
Union. This rejection led to an
other and better plan ! and furthe
delay may produce still anothe
and still better plan. However tha
may be, Congress is determined tha
the lately rebellious States shall b,
reconstructed upon a loyal basis
and under The control OF loyal men
The President'spIan is the opposit
to this. 1t is foI the people to de
eide between the two. How will
you answer? | know how tn
people will aESwer. l know hov
those who fought to save the Gov
ernment, and those who sustaine,
our armies will answer. You al
know how our military heroes hav
answered. Hear Grant, and Sher
, idan, and Thomas, and Sickles.
.aH DEsPoTIsM.
Who is tho despoL the Confeder
, ate Democrats talk about? And
rev johnson No ;.of course no
The despotism, according TO thos
medern cxpoundcrs.of Democracy
: proceeds from the people, No
S is not that queer kind of Demo
Q cracy? One-man power supper
f cd in opposition TO the power thi
t resists in the people. We may e1
g pect to find these modern Democrat
r following the example OF the Israc
r ties, calling for u king to rule owe
d them. Well [ think they are t
d subjects for king or an empero
S Butthis is a Government of ii
It peoples Congress represents tt
|. people is chosen by the people
!, comes back to the people ever
Y two wears land TO charge despotis