The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-04-04

majority has the power over the constituton. Than
tney can 90 on tall Congress, yes, . cspricious
Congress, yes, despotic Congress, yes, usurp-
people. But | felt that stood as . break. water
at the head OF the American government and ar
rested ~ progress for time st least, until the
people knew what was going on. and while others
may Coast Of having established this Royernme mt
feel that can without egotism claim the credit
OF having been efncient in its preservation.
The Time has come to talk about the first
principles OF government. Take Away the re.
ssraints which hold back Congress, aud you have
departments Of the government, and you have
Congress with its iscreton-or, perhaps should
say its indiscretion-the measure OF its powers.
Jefferson describes such body as the exact en-
that wise and good prince is Infinitely better
than usurpiDg arbitrary and despotio Congress.
Voice: That's so. Andy. Go it'I Look at
the course OF Great Britain toward the colonies,
the Declaration of Independence. and see how the
scis OF Congress are similar TO the course or
Great Britain then.
When that declaration was made and the people
knew hnew their wrongs they were aroused 70 gain
great writ of habeas corpus suspended. and when
acitizen of the United States appealed to the So
preme Court, an arbitrary Congress took from
HIM the right OF appeal and deprived him Of his
He alluded to the charge Of treason to his party
and asked when had he been false to the platform
upon which he was nominated. He then took
up the sneering accusations about his being
Moses, and asked II il was not he that freed the
negroes in Tennessee. Freedom was only liberty
TO work, 1t was not TO build up miserable lazzs.
roni to be supported by the government.
Let me tell you, colored men, said he, I have
never deceived white men or black men. These
men who talk about your old masters have only
delivered you up to your new masters. You are
slaves to the league. Let me say to you 90 said
10 my old servant, as / told him when came
back: Sam, the only difference between us Is
emsncipated on the An Of March, So you zee
am addressing you as freedman (laughter). As
evidence OF his loyalty he showed paper signed
by VIM. G. Brownlow, acknowledging the receipt
OF $500 to establish Union press at Knoxville
and defrsJing Bfownlow's expenses In escaping
from secession oppression.
The time Is full Of alarming portents; the coun.
try is in danger, and let me lift my warning voice.
Look at the taxes OF the States and of the federal
$3.50 000. 900, three times as much as was necesss.
~ few years ago for the whole expenses of the
government, TO pay the bondholders. Yeu black
men might as well know this, that while they have
been enfrsnchisipg you and disfranchising white
men they have been making you slaves. Yes,
you are all slaves together to the bondholders,
who never shed drop of blood. / would to
God that the government had not the credit to
borrow dollar to carry on war. II people had
beforehand to pay the cost Of war we should never
have had one. Thank God my march has not
been through Golgoths and my honors have not
been gained by blood. The widow and the one.
armed soldier cannot attribute their wrong to me-
i stand here vindicating the Constitution as 1t
was handed down to me; and here. In the last
hours of life, call upon you to cling to the Con-
sttution Of the country ss . mariner cngs to his
compass.
He spoke about two hours, and was listened to
with the closest attention. and on retiring from
the stand was heartily spplauded. He was e.
once surrounded by old friends and several hours
were passed in interchsDging "reminiscences.
In conversation he spoke without reserve OF
Grant, whom he characterized as q bundle OF
prejudces, and his gift enterprise cabinet, as he
sails il. 8f
The people are heartily glad to see johnson
again among them, and seem TO think he will sue.
iced In overthrowing despotism In Tennessee.