The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-04-08
Ex-PreSIient Johnson at Knoxville.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, Aprll 3.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn, April 3.
Ar an early hour this morning the city
Was thrOnged with the old friends of An
drew Johnson, who assembled in groups
aud anxiously discussed Mr. Johnson's
former triumphs. He was met at the train
by delegation, at IL o'clock, and escorted
TO the Lamar house, where he was intro
duced TO a crowd of about 5000 persons
by Mr.. Nelson, who referred to Mr. John
son in complimentary terms, abiding to
his differences with prominent political
gentlemen present, and to his early perse
cutions on account of his Union senti
mentS.
Dir. Johnson thanked the people for
their welcome. He said he had tried to
protect the Constitution, and all he asked
was a fair examination of his record. He
intended TO devote the remainder of his
life as Il private citizen to the vindicaiion
of his official life, and his native State
from the oblOquy cast upon hem HIS
back, though bent had not been broken
by the storm which had nearly wrecked
the ship Of state. Since he lad seen in
the papers his own obituary, lie supposed
he might be regarded as one risen from
the dead, and he thought one coming
from the grave should be believed. The
Government is divided into three parts,
and each department is confined to its
sphere. | tell you as one speaking from
the dead, that there is danger in the Gov
eminent, and that danger is in the Legisla-
tive department. The Executive branch
cannot make laws-neither can the Judici-
airy; but the Legislative branch, under the
pretense of making laws, can trample upon
the liberties of the people. Yes. despo-
tic Congress can go on until it takes away
the liberties. of the people; but feel that
| stood as breakwater to the Govern
ment, and arrested its progress for time.
The time has come to talk about the first
principles Of the Government. Take away
the restraints which have held back
Congress, and one branch of the Gov
eminent will wipe out the other two
Let me tell you, here that a wise and good
Prince is infinitely better than despOtic,
arbitrary Congress. Look at the acts OF
Congress, and see how they are like the
acts of Great Britain toward the colonies,
in the early days of this country. Look
AZ cur condition The writ of ha6eas
corpus is suspended, and when citizen
appeals to the Supreme Court, Congress
takes from him the right to appeal, and
deprives him of his liberty. He alluded
to the charge of treason to his party, and
asked where ne had been false. He then
took up the accusation about his being a
Moses" and asked if it was not he who
freed the negroes in Tennessee. Freedom
IS only the liberty to work. 1t is not to
build miserable laZz3roni, to be support
cd by the government. / have never de-
ceived the white men or the black men.
Let me say TO you, as | said to my old
servant when | came back: "Tom, the
only difference between us is that freed
you four years ago, and was only eman-
cipated on the 4th of March so, you see,
Tom, am addressing you as freedman"
As an evidence of his loyalty, he showed
paper signed by Gov. BrowElow, &C
knOwledging the receipt of 81 800 to help
establish loyal press in Knoxville. He
told his hearers that they were all slaves
10 bondhOlders, who never shed drop of
blood. / would to God that the Govern
ment had not the credit to borrow dollar
to carry on war. Thank God, my hon.
ors have not been gained through blood.
The wounded soldiers cannot attribute
their wounds to me. He called on them to
cling to this compass, and stand by the
Constitution. He spoke about two hours,
and was listened TO- with close attention.
On retiring from the stand he was
heartily applauded, and at once surround
ed by group of old friends In CONVEX
sation he spoke Of Grant without reserve,
characterizing him as a bundle of preiu-
dices, and his Cabinet as "gift enter
prise"
The people are heartily glad TO see Mr.
johnson among them, and think he will
succeed in overthrowing the dominant
party in the State.