Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-04-04

colored men of Tennessee as one who
had prOfessed to be their Moses in the
dtllVerance from their bondage, but had
proved recreant. He would ask, Who lei
the way to the freedom Of the negro in
Tennessee? Who dared first to announce
it, when bayOnets threatened, and ad-
visers who now claimed all the loyalty
protested against it? He had first told
the black men of Tennessee the
events CT the war had made them
free. But he had: told them
at the same time, that their freedom did
not mean to make them lazaroni class
to be fed at the bounty of the general
government, and to be managed as the
political creatures of the Freedman's Bu-
reau, or the dupes of white leaders in a
Loyal League" From such bondage,
as degrading and enslaving as that from
which they had emerged, he would lead
them again. Freemen they are under
the laws, and he would make them free
indeed, free to work, free to think as
God had given them capacity, free tc act
as no Bureau or League dared to pre-
vent while his voice could be raised
against il.
In conclusion, Mr.. johnson said that
he thanked the people for the cordial
reception they had given and the respect
full attention he had received. He looked
to theyounger men. He and those who
had acted in the great drama Of the past
few years, were growing gray with age.
and must soon pass away. With these
who were succeeding to the scene Of ac~
ton, rested the venture. He would urge
them TO understand the constitution in
its spirit, and to uphold its letter. 1t was
the soul of our liberties as people, and
without it, we were a lifeless body.
When lost sight Of the government was
like ship ct sea without rudder or COM
pass. The quecksands Of corruption were
beneath, and the breakers of anarchy
all about us. In, and by, and
through the constitution, and in &C.
cord with the fundamental princi-
pies in which it was conceived,
could the American people safely rise
out of the stencil Of civil war in which
they had been sunk and in that way only.
This was the cardinal principle of his
administration as President-this was his
doctrine and law of action as citizen of
Tennessee. He now held no rank and
wanted none of its insignia as he moved
among his fellow -citizens. His highes
ambition was TO be, as became him, a
herald Of these truths, and in their advo-
cacy before the people he should spend
the remnant of his stength.
When Mr.. johnson ended, there was
rush for his room, and he retired amid
prolonged cheering. The afternoon was
consumed with the greeting of old friends
and men OF all parties came forward to
clasp his hand.
The day has shown that Andrew
johnson is still a power in the State.
His hair is silvered with gray, but his
eye is keen and bright as of yore, and
Notwithstanding his recent illness, his
step is springy, and his carria that of
man of forty years. His manner tics
day was earnest, but he evinced no
bitterness otherwise against political ad-
yersaries. His purpose is to meet his
fellow citizens simply, and whenever he
is called upon, TO address them. In
everything he bears himself with the
selfpoise and dignity becoming an ex-
President, but he is still the tribune of
the people.