Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-07-07


ksts and swords BY some soldiers of the
4th Fenian regiment, but speedily over
came them, and quieted the disturbance.
Letter of President Johnson In Re
ply 10 a Democratic Committee.
New YORK, July GA number of citi-
zens Of New York, on the 9th Of June,
addressed letter 20 President johnson
asking permission that his name be pre-
scented to the Democratic Convention "a
a candidate for Presidency. Mr.. johnson
replied as follows
WASHINGTON, July 6, lSGS.-GENTLE.
MEN To your friendly inquiry whether,
if deemed desirable for the preservation
and unity of the conservative interests Of
the country, | would permit my name to
be presented to the Democratic Conven-
tiOn as a candidate for the office Of Presi-
dent Of the United States, l would respect
fully reply that | am not ambitious Of
further service. | may say, indeed, Of
further endurance in that elevated position,
unless 10y a call so general and unequiVOCal
that it would be an Endorsement by the
people of my endeavors to defend the Com
slitution and the reserved rights Of the
several Commonwealth composing what
was once in fact the Federal Union. OF
such approval, in the present temper Of
parties, | can, perhaps, have no reasonable
expectation. All history proves that men,
who, in official position oppose for any rea-
son the cherished schemes devised by fac
tons to acquire power usually find more
determined assailants than open and earn
est defenders hence, in resisting measures
which, although sustained by Congress, [
honestly believed to be enerOachments up
on the Constitution, my task has been made
srduOus and seemingly ungraCi6us, by an
opposition power fully we'll organized, and
possessing a controlling influence in the
halls Of legislation unprecedented in the
history Of the country, been compelled 20
devote nv entire time to the issues that
have been forced upon me, and to contend
against 4 majority represented by two
thirds OF each house Of Congress, /
have been unable, while striving to pro-
tect and maintain the liberties Of the
people, to check the extravagaut expendi-
lures for objects not contemplated by the
Constitution, and to tighten the burdens Of
taIalions, which now rests so oppTessively
upon the nation.
la the midst Of these embarrassments
1 4
| the public prints, or from some unusually
frank and OuLspoken friend, l have heard
that have no party, the suggestion has
only served to remind me OF a memorable
remark, uttered when faction ruled high in
Rome, that Cesar had a party, and Pompey
and Cres5us each had party, bat that the
Commonwealth rad one aiming only, az
the representative of the people, 10 stand
BY the rights Of the Commonwealth. May
/ not POintedly make the application to
my own case Constrained, IN occupying
my position as the Federal Executive, 10
abide IN silence with the wrong and en-
Croachments OF the most iusidious a. well
as desperate characters, OF sometimes when
they are incapable Of arresling them, and
permitted only TO employ the fertile pro-
tests, and compelled with only the privilege
Of IemOnstTanCe, or the terrible altprna-
tive Of counter revolution TO resiat the
revolutionary projects and obliged to stand
in the attitude of a mere spectator, whilst
the invaluable time Of the nation has beea
wasted ia ceaseless assaults upon myseIf
and office for the benefit of party | can
not complain Of the people, while witness
ing 1 have not been able 10 make nv
cause thoroughly their own, the defense of
the Constitution and laws their ORn battle
until, however, the people and representa-
tiVes will recognize more plainly the imper9-
tive needs Of the country, by tightening The
burden Of excessive and Oner0u5 taxation
aud preventing Successive imports upon the
same article, beginning with itscrude state |
and following IL through the successive !
stages of manufacture 10 hnal Hse and cost,
the people being thus made 10 pay eXlOr- |
tionale and accumulated tax Till the !
time appropriated 10 Congress 10 partisan !
schemes il devoted more to legislaiing for |
the people wants, the nation will have 10 |
be content with the more delu-iYe hope Of |
better times. Since mere party politics will |
continue 10 be- considered Of more moment /
than the study and practice u political
economy, the reduction Of tariffs
and making a precedent at more cpnse-
quence than the domination Of ouT na-
tional Indebtedness, and a return to sound
currency and specie payments with the
people, there must rest the correction Of
whatever il wrong ia the Te,pset indica-
ted and IL their public servant fnd them
careless Of their responsibility; IL the peo-
pie will not 10 their duty in seeing that
their representatives, perform theirs. no |
cesslully defend their rights, and few will
care to hear the apology consequent upon
the attempt ! am now, however, az
/ #. have ever been, 10 the hands Of
the people and at their disposal.
My struggle Tor the Union and
the integrity Of the government began long
years ago. Conscious Of having honestly |
my duties, aud satisfied that the |
contest in which | have been compelled to |
engage will in theend at least, inare 10 the
benefit, and, indeed, 10 the safety Of con-
liberty and human rights, can
we'll afford, 1 think, 10 look calmly on the
present and await patiently the verdict of |
he future. Whilst ] know hat the struggle |
or the rights Of the people and the defense
4 The Constitution Is not vel over, YET be-
ieving that the late palpahie failure 10 Do /
5ioleGce % that great instrument and the {
executive office, the WOrst that faction
an DO for the present has been accom- Z
jlished. ! would only ia concluding this b
,uef statement Of my views and feelings.
.xpress the hope that IN the selection by !
he convention Of candidate FOR the PIesi- &
lency, wh0se duty 1t will be II elected. 10
preserve, protect and defend the C0nslitu-
ION, and 20 execute the Laws made in puT-
uance Of ia provisions, the public good,
nd leading veil defended principles, will
Iot be sacrificed 10 the meagre purpose Of (
Iarty ascendency. Ia c0bcfnsiou, gen
lemen, permit me 10 thank Won
lsst earnestly for the kind e1pres-
ion Of your abiding confidence In
Dc as a public servant, 10 assure YOU that
be approval VI the people is ali hat i re-
uisite 10 make me feel that The efforts
bat have made 10 restore the Union ON
be basis Of justice and Cancellation have
Of been altogether in Yais. Leaving my /
III aud nay course in their hands, should L
be continuance aud conclusion Of the con- &
- 10 yindicate aHd preserve constitutional "