Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-02-04

in which the disturbance originated is now
tranquil. Five Of the prisoners arrested for
completely in the assassination OF the Governor
of Burgos have admitted their guilt
President JoHNsoN's VIEWS ON THE Con-
srITuTIoN.-Tw companies Of the cadets of
Georgetown College, On Monday, had parade,
call upon the President Of the United States,
and dinner at the National Hotel. Upon
their arrival at the White House they were re
ccived by the President Capt. Sheridan, of
the first company, made brief speech, which
was appropriately responded to by the Presi-
dent. The President said
81 thank you Tor this visit and for the kind
and courteous address you have presented me-.
You are all young and intelligent, and starting
out to begin the struggle of life. At this par
ticular iuncture may be pardoned if | make
some remarks, to which invite your consider
alton, as being of that character and lmpor-
lance you vii sooner or later learn to appre-
cate In short time the care OF the constl-
tuition and all that concerns the government,
its administration and laws will pass into your
hands, 1t must then be incumbent on your
part to prepare yourselves seriously tor this
high and sacred duty, and to do so 1t is above all
thing essential to place your thoughts upon the
right basis. As you have deemed 1t proper to
allu!e to my public career, it will not be amiss
if | make some alusion here to the fundamen-
tai tenets that laid down for myself, in yield
ing strict adherence to the constitution OF
my couutry, and to that constitution l invite
your attention on this occasion.
ut is important in taking charge OF this
government that you should draw marked
distinction between its organic and its statute
law Bear ever in mind that it was framed
not tor the few but the many, and that we ac-
knowledge no superior but one. Instead OF
having sovereign IN one man, we have SOW
ereignty in all. The people are the masters,
and individuals elevated to places of trust and
power are but their servants. Let me also i'm
press upon your minds that the constitution,
in which more human wisdom is embraced than
in any other instrument that was ever framed,
recognizing the iniirmity OF man and drawing
exrerience from the lessons of history, places
Limitations on the exercise of power-for one
man is not to be trusted. Hence the forethought
of the trainers in extending protection to the
rights of minorities. How deeply important
1t is to shield this great charter OF our liberties
from undue encroachment and unprlnclped
attack must at once strike the mind when 1T is
for a moment considered that the constitution
once broken down and trampled upon, the bar
rier of republican liberty is overthrow and
the day of freedom closes in night forever
II it is to be amended, let it be done in the
manner prescribed by the instrument itself
No intelligent person supposeS it was designed
to remain forever unalterabe but any one. can
readily perceive that it was made to adapt itself
to every condition OF the country, subject to
the will of the sovereign people, and done III
the manner and mode pointed out by Itself
Any change wrought in the constitution that
does not conform TO this rule is fatal to its in
tegrity, and robs the people Of protection first
and finally destroys their liberties. If | could
make a Judgement OF the principles of the con-
stitution in your minds, to be taken up and
digested hereafter, feel that [ should have
done great deal Of good. | think there
ought to be a professor in every college of the
land to teach It's pupils correct understand
ing and appreciation OF the principles OF the
constitution, and to hold it next in reverence
and importance TO the Bible, for it is as much
the groundwork of our government as the other
is the foundation OF cur holy religion. Then
let it be your study. 1t represents all the
States. 1t is our political Bible. 1t is the
basis of our political system. Let all OF US
come up cheeriuly to its support, and preju-
dice and party malice throughout the land will
soon subside. Let Us lay our differences on
one common altar and say the constitution
must be preserved though all things else sink
In the dust.