The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-04-14
TELEGRA PHIC

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. April 3.--CHy croy
ded with old friends of Andrew Johusol
who at an early hour in the morning a
sembled in little knots on the streets, tall
ing about Andy's old triumphs. Speci,
trains on the railroads brought crowds t
the city. At IL o'clock A. NJ. speci,
tain arrived from Greenville. MIR. Jobr
son was greeted at the depot by delep,
ton of citizens, with band, and escorte
to the Lamar House in barouche. i
company with Col. Nelson and John N
Fleming of the Press and Herald. Ate
short delay Mr.. johnson was introduce
:. to the assembled crowd, numbering abou
5000, by Hon. Mr. Nelson. who referre,
10 mis- previous political difference with tn
distinguished gentleman before them, an
to Their argument upon the vital questio
OF Union; related prosecutions inflicte
upon Dir. johnson for his Union SENT
meats; eloguentiy described his patrloti
course during the war, and alluded to hi
sion. ~
MI. Johnson, after returning thanks 70
the cordiality of the welcome, said he ha,
enueaVored to protect the Constitution an,
ali ne asked was fair examination of hi
record. lie intended to devote the remain
der OF his life, as private citizen, to tn,
publication of his official life and his nativ,
State from the foul obioauy which hat
been heaped upon him and her Though they
mao not been broken by the storm which
had nearly wrecked the ship of state. He
had seen in the papers his own obituary
and supposed he might be as one risen
from the dead, and he thought belief should
be placed in one come from the grave
iVoce-"Not SO dead yet ~ The Con.
stitution divides the Government into de-
partments. When the Congress of the
United States excited by interest and a
spirit OF tyranny, transcribed the Consti-
tuition, he vetoed their bills and sent them
back. Let US see how these departments
operate. Each is confined to its sphere.
Let US reason together. Where is the
danger in the Government I? I tell YOU
here to-day, and as one speaking from the
dead, it is in the legislative department.
mean in the Federal Government. WHY
can the Executive make laws He has
only negative power; the Judiciary can
only expouEd the low; but the legislative
can pass laws of the most arbitrary char
acter, and under pretence of law, trampIe
upon the liberties Of the people. Those
who are trying to undermine the Consti.
tuition have given the impression that
two-thirds majority has the power of the
Constitution. Then they can 90 on until
Congress-yes, a capricious Congress, YES,
adespotic Congress, yes usurping Con.
gress--will take away the liberties of tho
people. But feel that / stood as break
water at the head Of the American Gov
ernment, and arrested its progress for a
Tina 0t Ioact nntil tb,
was going on and while Others may boast
ofhaVihg established governments, / feel
can, without egotism, claim credit of bay-
ing been efficient in its preservation. The
time has come to talk about the first prin-
clples ot government Take away the re-
stralnts which held back Congress, and
you have despotic government, wipe out
the ether two departments Of the Govern
ment' and you have Congress with it's dis
cretion: or perhaps should say its indis-
cfe.ton. as the measure of its power. JEFF
ferson describes such body as the ex-
act embodiment OF despotism, and let ME
tell you here that wise and good prince
is infinitely better than an usurping, arbi-
trary, despotio Congress. Voice that's
SO, Andy; 60 it'll Look at the course Of
Great Britain towards the colonies, and
compare it with that of Congress. Look
at the declaration of independence, and
see how the acts Of Congress are similar
to the course of Great Britain. Then.
when that declaration was made and the !
people knew their wrong, they were aroused |
TO gain their freedom Look at our cond- |
ton. The great writ of haheas corpus sus-
pended, and when citizen OF the United |
States appealed to the Supr enc Court, an |
arbitrary Congress took from him the right |
ofappeal anal deprived him Of his liberty
lie alluded to the charge of treason to |
party, and asked when had he been false
to the platform upon which he was nomi-
mated. He then took up the sneering ac-
eusation about his being Moses, and asked
II was not he that freed the negroes in
Tennessee. Freedomswas. only liberty to
work; it was not to build up miserable
lazeron to be supported by the Govern
ment. Let me tell you, colored men,
have never deemed black men white men;
that these men who talk about your old
masters have only delivered you up to new
masters. You are slaves to the league.
Lei me say to you. as [ said to my old
servant, as | told him when came back
sam the only difference between US is
thas freed You four years ago. and was
only emancIpated On the fourth of March :
60 you see am addressing you as a freed
man !" Qauehter.) AS evidence of his
loyalty he read payer signed by VIM. G..
browniow. acknowledging receipt of $1,000 !,
70 establish Union press at Knoxville
aad defray Brownlow's expenses in esca-
ping from secession oppression. - |.
The time is full Of alarming portents
lae country ism danger, and let me lift
my warning voice. Look at the taxes of G
.ne State and of the federal Government. ]
Inc Federal Government collects one hun d
ared and fifty milliens-three times as
n much as was necessary few years ago for n
1he whole expenses of the Government /
70 pay the bondholders. You black men
might as we'll know this, that while they il
nave "a. been enfranchisiDg you and disfran- il
missing white men they have been making a
you slaves. Yes, you are all slaves Il
egether, to the bondholders, who never c
Ned ore drop of blood. I would to God ii
nat the Government had not the credit to tt
orrow dollar to carry on war; if people
ad beforehand known they would have a
ad to pay the cost of the war. we shonld al
ever had had one. Thank God my march S,
as not been through Golgotha; nv hon
RS have not been gained by blood. The il
'idows and the one-armed soldiers cannot
tfrsh ,H0 49,.