Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1869-03-10
- tho military element We need to encour-

to the military element. We needto enconr-
age in every legitimate way study OF the con-
stitution for which the war was waged,
knowledge OF, and reverence for, whose wise
checks, by those SO soon to occupy the
place filled by their. seniors. will he the only
hope OF preserving the Republic. The
young men of the nation not yet under the
control of party must resist the tendency
to centralization, an outgrowth of the
great rebellion, and be familiar with the
fact that the country consists OF the ''Unl-
ted States. and that when the States sur
rendered certain great rights for the sake
of q more perfect Union, they retained
rights as valuable and important as those
they reinquished for the common veal
This sound old doctrine, far different from
the teachings that led to the attempt to Sc
cede, and kindred theory that the States
were taken out of the Union by the rash
acts OF conspirators that happened to dwell
within their borders, must be received and
advocated with the enthusiasm of early
manhood, or the People Will be ruled by
corrupt combinations at the commercial
centres, which plethoric from wealth, an
nually migrate to the capitol of the nation
TO purchase special legislation. Until the
Representatives of the people in Congress
more fully exhibit the diverse views and
the interests Of the whole nation, and laws
cease to be made without full discussion at
the behest of some party leader, there will
never be proper respect shown by the
aw-making power either to the Judicial or
executive branch Of the government. The
generation just beginning to use the ballot
box, it is believed, only need that their at
tention should be called to these considera-
tons to indicate by their votes that they
wish their representatives to observe all the
restraints which the people, in adopting
the Constitution, intended to impose on
party excess.
Calmly reviewing my administration of
the government. feel that with sense of
accountability to God-haying conscien-
tiously endeavored to discharge my whole
duty, have nothing to regret. Events
have proved the correctness of the policy
set forth in my first and subsequent mes
ages. The woes which have followed the
rejection of forbearance, magnanimity and
constitutional rule are known and deplored
by the nation. 1t is a matter of pride and
qualification, III retiring from the most ex
halted position in the gift of free people,
to feel and know that III long, arduous,
and eventful public life my action has nev-
er been influenced by desire for gain, and
that | can, in adj sincerity, inquire, whom
have / defrauded whom have ] oppressed?
or at whose hand have | received any bribe
to blind my eyes Herewith No reaponsi-
bility for wars that have been waged, or
blood that has been shed, rests upon me.
My thoughts have been those of peace and
my effort has ever been to allav contentious
among my countrymen.
Forgetting the past, let us return to the
first principles OF the government, and un-
furling the banner OF our country, in
scribe uponit III inetlaceable characters,
''The Constitution and the Union, one and
inseparable."
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, D. c. March T. 1869