Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-06-02
TELEGRAPHIC.
WASHINGTON.
PUBLIC DEBT STATE
MENT.
Sale of Government Lands.
Terrible outrages by In
dians. ol,ta
lfIt W
MIR. Motley in England. 4
How He is Received.
Spirit of the English Press.
EX-PRESlDENT JOHNSON AT
GAINESVILLE.
An Immense COncOurse Hear
Him.
Special to the Union and American.

Special to the Union and American.
GAINESVILLE, June l, 1S69.-The tow
was filed to-day with one Of the lsrges
crowds that ever copyrighted in thiscouuty
Though there we're other attractions, the
great event was the presence of ex-Presi'
dent johnson, and the anxiety to hea
him discuss the great themes Of presen
political interest was felt by all classes
The morning opened with lowering clouds
and the Committee of Arrangement
changed the place of speaking from Col
lege Grove to a large and commodiou
warehouse in the town, we'll provided will
seats. An hour before noon, five Thousand
or more persons, including large number
of ladies, had assembled. OF these, per
hsps, there were thousand persons O
color.
When the Ex-President appeared upon
the stand accompanied by Eek Gov Chas
Anderson Of Ohio, (nOW a citizen of Ken
lucky, and Senator Fowler, he was greeted
with loud and prolonged applause. He
was introduced TO the audience by Hon.
Gustavus A Henry, who said il gave him
great pleasuret 20 present the Distinguish
ed speaker. His features were not IN
familiar TO the people who looked ON him,
and his fame wss the property of the ma
lion. They have seen him here before in
political jousls Here he had met Gentry
ia times that were past; and il
he might be pardoned, be would say
that here he had met him
(HenTy) also; aud he might we'll say of
that combat, "Great let me call him, for
he conquered me-" Laughter and APP
plause Mr., johnson had since passed
through trying scenes and had filled the
most exalted positions He came TO speSk
to them of weighty matters, and would
speak words of wisdom and statesmanship
He invoked in his behalf, and of the great
cause of constitutional government which
he came 10 plead, a patient and attentive
hearing. If..#.e
Mr.. johnson rose and said the circum-
stances under which he met the people of
Montgomery and adjoining region were
deeply gratifying. To be thus welcomed st
the home and by the lips Of one Of my most
eminent and knightly competitors in for
mer struggles, cannot but touch my sensi-
bilities. As ] stand with him on this plat
form, / could wish those times, when my
lance shiVered on him, and his spear bent
against me, were returned. They were
days, no matter what our party differ
ence-, Of prosperity of Pride-days
of freedom greater than al. Our prosper
ity has deparied-our pride is humbled-
our freedom, slasl where is il? l have come
10 counsel with him and with You how
these may be restored, and j hope may
speak acceptsbly on these great themes.
Heretofore in appearing before the peO-
pie Of my state, il has usually been IN
canvass, soliciting their patronage and
support. To-day in appearing before you
il is not in the character Of a candidate
for any Office in your gin, or asking any
favor you may have in your power to
confer. Then in appearing before you, not
soliciting favors or any share in the emol-
umenis of Office, ] trust and hope there
will be no improper design attributed 10
me. | am here in your midst to speak to-
day by invitation Of large number Of
my fellow-ciiizens. la doing 30 / wish 10
do il in a manner which will contribute to
a better understanding Of the questions
which agitate and divide the public mind.
There has been much asperity and Grim
iuation and recrimination. i hope the
time has come, a. far as am concerned,
when all has passed that may have divided
us when We were Wings and Democrats.
l would to God, the country stood now as
il did then, with two great parties battling
in measures which should be fixed upon
the country. But in returning to-day, ii
il simply 10 discuss some of those questions
which have sgitated the public mind. 10
being before you to-day, under the circum-
stances, trust there is none who will feel
enmity. Here, in Tennessee, is where all
nv interest ia. Here is my home. The
prumotiOn and elevation Of my adopted
State and its people is my chief object
and desire. Der history is mine in part,
and my history is 10 part hers. If my his
tory has been one which commends itseli
TO Them and the American people, let il
be good or bad, theyshave to be associated
with it, aud partske of il to very great
extent
10 olden times when We we're battling
with each other, when a Democrat would
make his speech, he would contend for &
strict construction Of the constitution
when a Wing spoke he contended for 1
little more liberal construction of govern
ment under the constitution.
The issue now before the counIry il, no
as between Wing and Democrat, bu
whether We are to have a constitutions
Foyernment, or one that is arbitrary anC
despotic.
In former contests one great point wa
agreed upon-that there was a constitution
and constitutional government; We dii
fered only ia the construction c
the constitution. The issns now be
fore the country Is, are We to hsy
constitutional government, or has Con
gress power outside and above the cOnsti
tuition; whether Congress is clothed wit
absolute and arbitrary power. | look upO
the latter as one Of the most dangerou
positions that can be assumed What
arbitrary power? The power Of one man
But the many men power is the most dan
gerous 10 this government.
Mr. Jefferson declared, 10 reierring I
a body 81 this kiBd-JefersOn, the ph
:, losopher, the statesman, the philanthropis
declared such body the precise detinilio
of despotic power.
Your government has three great d
visions. You have the Legislative, II
Judicial and the Executive Department
Ii WAS intended by the wise trainers Ct Il
constitution 90 divide the powers Of the
depSrtments, each 20 exercise one thir
thereby producing an equilibrium 10 d
departments that would ever maintain d
principle Of the people in the Constilulio
The executive poser is negative in
power. The President may recommer
10 Congress, but he can pass no law. Co
gress may pass laws and present them +
his consideration, but all be can do is
veto, and give his reasons, Thus We q
that the power OF the executive is negati
and not aggressive. Ii does not e
crOs6h upon other departments.
lie holds bad measures and good on
10 absyancs until the mass Of the peoI
shall have an opportunity of consideri
and determining whether he or Congr,
is right. This is all that is meant by [
veto power.
How does the Judiciary stand? That
also negative in It's character All il C
do is 20 cOpstrps law-interpret law.
conslrues and may determine All act
Congress unconstitutional. That is
that the court can do.
What can Congress do They can,
der the power Of Legislation, pass a aw
djsapproved by the President, by vote
tyo-thirds, But there should be one
tinctiOn drawn here, Where Congr