The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1868-10-29
Speech by Henry Ward Beecher.

One Of the best speeches of this cam
paign was made recently at Brooklyn,
N. Y, by Rev. Henry Ward Beecher
We have only room for the concluding
portion of this great speech: .aoa
We act outside of the Constitution
simply .where there is no provision in
the Constitution for our acting and
where thertimes compelS us to do some
thing. If there was IN the Oonstitu-
ton provision for the rehabilitation of
the rebellious States, the Republican
party certainly would have obeyed the
Constitution; but that never was con-
templated, and there were no such pro-
visions made in it, therefore, the Re-
publican party was obliged to act out
side the Constitution, or not at all. As
to this matter confess l don't feel so
sensitive about it as do the men who
spent four years fighting against the
Constitution. / have great respect for
it. i like it. But it is not so dear to
me as it has become to them have
a reasonable hope, too, that the Consti-
tuition will be maintained; | think the
broad common sense of the American
people will take care of the Consitu-
ton. 1t is very affecting to my feel
ings, therefore, when hear these out
cries, these most affectionate yearnings,
and longings, and repinings Of the re-
constructed rebellion in the South in
behalf of the Constitution, the dear
blessed Constitution, Laughter and
applause. ..'
Why do / love the Constitution? Be-
cause believe it breathes and creates
liberty everywhere. Why are they SC
solicitous for the Constitutions Because
it breatbes liberty everywhere. Tha
is the trouble. The Constitution they
mourn is the old Constitution that fan.
cy constructed; it is the old Constitu
ton that was brought before the courts
when Southern men put judges in the
courts foresworn to make decisions il
favor of Slavery. That is the Consti
tuition they mean. Iamean the Consti
tuition that our fathers made, when al
Europe was flushed with love Of lib
erty; when the sword shone like an
aurora with the spirit of liberty wher
our fathers, under that divine magnet
3 ism, built this glorious Constitution
and built it for liberty That is thu
Constitution / mean. b Prolonged ap.
plause. I What feature have we takeT
out of it that will circumscribe the in
dependence of the individual? What
4 feature of the Constitution that viii
make liberty narrower. The very caus
of offense is that we have made hbert,
@ so broad that there is no creature borl
of woman that does not become citi
zen under that Constitution. That j
the offense. [Applause. 0, no. Q
s My friends, you are invited to atten'
3 the funeral of the Constitution. Laugh
ter. ..-os u1n .a,L-m.D O..
The late members of the Democrat
party, the Southern people in general
are all afFechOnately invited to atten'
! the funeral See them going in pro
Cession after the Constitution. Laugh
: teri Some reeling with griefand othe
things. QLaughter) See them goinI
r along with their bowie knives reversed
y see them going, hardly yet wiping thei
hands with the blood of the last assas
) sination; see them going, the men VIII
fought your sons and mine, and tha
split the blood of loyal, valiant son
O. and children like water g see them
!. moaning, groaning, ''The Constitu
! ton. +" Ah! this 'tdesecration''Iof tn
Constitution, this love of the Constitu
ton it is peculiarly affecting to me
(, When Sodom and Gomorrah sit roun
about the temple of Jerusalem an
Y praise its beauty, and long for the prey
alence of the liz bit that shall shine OF
# of Zion. then Ishall believe that thes
. men who are crying, out''thc Constitr
o. ton, the Constitution" have any lON
forits essential principals, or have an
n right to say anything about it. agod
J Is it safe to lay aside fundament
y Y law. and the Constitution Of the couI
a try whenever a majority desire to a
Ut outside of aiHg 3W .u5zsG
n No That was the very reason wi