The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-03-15

ch.et Of tie army aud navy, aud with al
The power aud patronage Of the Prcsidcn'
tial Office at my disposal, to turn the con.
centrated mililury,S,rcng,h Of the nation
against French iuattrtrrance in Mexico.
aud to inaugurate q movement which
would have been received with favor by
the military aud a large portion Of The
people. iFco" -lIo % ssi' 'f! % ,a'SA'7
aalt is proper, in tlis conueciion, that I
should refer to the almost unlimited I'D
dtional powers rendered to the Executive
by the measures relating to civil! rights
andthc Frcejmcn's bureau Contrary
to most precclents in the experience Of
public men; the crpowcrs thus placed with
III my grasp were declined, US iu viola
ton Of the Constitution. dangerous to the
liberties Of the people, and tending to ag-
gruvntc, rather than lessen, tie discords
naturally resulting FROM our civil war.
With large army ,and a augmented au-
taority, it would have been no difficult
task to direct at pleasure the dcs,irics Of
the Republic, and to make secure my
continuance ii, the highest Office known to
our laws 7,- n, an ~: n,.1l lsf.,iaga
Let the people whom am addressing
from the Presidential chair during the
closing hours Of u laborious term consider
how different would have been thrir pre-.
sen, condition lad NJ yielded to tle,laz-
,zliug temptation Of ,iosviga Conquest, of
personal aggrandizemen., or the desire to
wield additional power. Let then with
justice cousiler that, if have not uudu-
! ly"masniicd mine oficc,."f the peLl c
burdens have not been increased Lyeriy
acts, aud other aud perhaps thousanls or
tens Of thousands OF lives sacrifice. to
visions Of false glory.
IT cannot, therefore. be. charged tia,
my ambition hus been Of that ofdihury1 Or
criminal kipd Which, to tho. detrinlcnt of
the peoples rights and liberties, ever
seeks to grasp more. aud uuwarrun,cd
powers, md 10 accomplish its PURPOSES,
lauders too Often to popular prejudiccs
and party aiu's.
What. then, have been the aspirations
which guided nc in my official acts I?
Those acts need, not, Ut this time, an ub-
crate explanation. Tl,ty have been else
where compreheusivcly stated and fully
discussed, !, aud become u purt Of the ma.
tion's history. BY them | am will;n. to
he judged, knowing that, however i,nprr.
feet, they atilrast show to tue impartial
mind ,l,at my sole ambition las been tn
restore the uuion Of llle States. faithfully
to execute the Office Of President. and ,ito
The best ofmy ability, 10 preserve. pro-
tcct and defend the Constitution. can.
no. be ccn:ured il my efforts have bccu
impcdcd in tho interests ofmrty faclion !;
aud ifa policy wIiicl. was Intended tors
assure and conclia.c Tic people Of both,
sections Of the country was made the oc-
cas;on Of finaaming slil'farthcr those who,
ou!y recently in ar,ls aguinst cacll other,
yet, as individuals aud citizens. were sili-
ccrely desirous, as [ slmll ever believe, Of
burying all hostile feelings in the grave
Of the past. ,!Tle bitter, war was waged
on the part Of tic Government to vindi-
cate the Constitution aud save Tue Union;
and ii | have erred 7iu ;tryius to y lug
abous more speedy and lasting peace. to
cxtinsuisli heart-Lurnings unJ enlnitics,
aud 70 prevent troubles in ,thdi South,
whicl,, rcta:ting material pr spesity in
tia, region. iajuyinus!y affected the whole
country, ! um quite eo,ltcnt to rest my
case with the more deliberate judgment
Of the people, and. as have, already init.
mated, viii. tie distan. future. -
Tho war, all must remember, was dc.
plorable aud stupendous mistake. Neither
side understood the other; and had this
simple faet and its conclusions been kept.
in view. all that was needed ws nc o a.
plisled by the acknowledgment, Of the
terrible wrong. aud the expressed better
fe linz anl ear,.cs; enl, avor at u,oncnen,
s!l ,pn and felt by the ptompt ratification
Of consii.ut:, nal amendments by the
S,utherl, States ut The close Of the wlr.
Not accepting tile war as II confessed false
st p Oh Tie par. Of ilcsc who inauguta.ed
1t. was IN error which iow only inc eau
cure, aud which even at this late date We
sl,ould eNtleuyor 10 .ptllittcy Exner;ro.
cling, moreover. rs all have done. The
f.igh,ful cost of the arti,rl.
n,ent, Of the sword, let us, in the
f.turc, cling closer ,hanitcycr to the
Constitution AS our only safeguard. 1t is
to be ropcd that not until. the. burdens
nov pressing npoI, us With suclf fearful
weight arc removed will our people forget
thu lcssolis ot'tlic war and tlhtt, remeui.
b.ring ,!cnl from whatever cause. peace
between scc,ionsNuhd States in uy Le per
Ictual. wy n....
The history Of late events in our coun.
try, as well as of The greatest govern.
nipnts OF ancient aud lnOdcrl, fines.
toac,es that We have everything to fear
from departure ffui, tho letter aud spi-
rit Of the Constitution, aud tic undue Us.
cclidaney Of inuli allowed to assume power
III what uro considered desperate tnier.
gencies. SyAn. OH bccoming master d
Rolnc. at oacei adopted measures to crusl,
Ills cl.en,ies, aud TO consolidate tie p wpr
.of his patty. lfc established ~ ltary
co.onits throughout Aaly; deprived Of