The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-04-05


Adjourned.
Ex.Presfdent johnson at Home.
KNOXVILLE, April 3.-The city is crowd
ed with the old friends Of Andrew Johnson.
AT an early hour this morning they assem-
bled in little knots on the street corners,
talking about Andy's old triumphs. Spe-
cial trains on the railroads brought crowds
to the city. At IL o'clock A. NJ. . train
with delegation and band from Green
vile, with Mr.. Johnson on board, arrived.
He was escorted TO the Lamar House. The
crowd to receive him numbered 5000.
In introducing the ex-President to the
crowd Mr.. Nelson referred to his previous
political differences with the ex- President,
and referred to the persecution of Mr..
Johnson for his Union sentiments. Mr..
johnson returned thanks for this reference
to his past course, and said he had endes-
vored to protect the Constitution, and all
he asked was fair examination Of his re-
cord. He said he intended to devote the
remainder Of his life as q private citizen
to the vindication Of his official life, aad
his native State. The foul obloquy which
has been heaped On him had bent but not
broken him. He had seen his own obituary
in the papers, and supposed he might be as
one risen from the dead, and he thought
belief should be placed in one come from
the grave. The Constitution divides the
Government into three departments, but
Congress had exceeded its duties, and
he had vetoed the bills. He ar
gued that the legislative department
made the laws, and that the executive de-
partment had only q negative power. The
Judiciary power can only expound the law,
but the legislative department can pass
laws of the most arbitrary character, and
under pretence Of law, trample upon the
liberties of the people. Those who are try
ing to undermine the Constitution have as-
sumed that two-thirds majority has the
power of legislation, and that is done by
capricious Congress-yes, usurping Con-
gress, which will take the affairs and liberties
of the people out Of their own hands. Buff
l feel that I stood as breakwater at the
head of the American Government and ar
rested its progress for time, at least until
the people knew what was going on. While
others may boast of having established the
Government, I feel that can, without
egotism, claim the credit Of having been
efficient in its preservation.
The time has come to talk about the best
principles Of government. Take away the
restraints which hold back Congress and
you have despotic Government. Throw
out the other two departments Of the Co.
vernment, and you have Congress with its
discretion, or perhaps I should say its in
discretion-the measure of its power. JEFF
ferson described such body as this as the
exact embodiment Of despotism, And let
me tell you here that wise and good
prince is infinitely better than o usurping,
arbitrary, and despotic Congress. [Cries Of
"That's so,' ard g Go it."l Look at the
course Of Great Britain towards the colo
MES, and compare it with that Of Congress-.
Look at the Declaration Of Independence
and see how the acts of Congress are SINH
lar to the course Of Great Britain. When
that declaration was made the people saw
their wrong, end were reused to gain their
freedom. Now look of our condition. The
writ Of habeaS corpus suspended; and
when citizen of the United States ap
pealed to the Supreme Court an arbitrary
Congress took from him his right Of appeal,
and deprived him of his liberty.
He alluded to the charge OF treason to
psrty, and asked where had he been false
to the platform on which he was nomi-
mated. He then took up the sneering accu-
sation about his being the Moses, and asked
if it was not he that freed the negroes in
Tennessee. Freedom was only liberty to
work-is was not to build up miserable
lazzaroni, to be supported by the Govern
ment. Let me tell you colored men-and
have never deceived white men or black
men-that these men who talk about your
"old masters" have only delivered you up
to new masters. You are slaves to the
league. Let me say to you as l said to my
old seryant-as l told him when l came
back "Sam, the only difference between
US is, that l freed you four years ago, and
l was only emancipated on the 4th of March;
80 you see l am addressing you as freed
man." Laughter.
AS an evidence Of his loyalty, he said
that q paper signed by W. G. BrowDlow
acknowledged the receipt of $4,000 to
establish Union paper at Knoxville and
to defray Brownlow's expenses in escaping
from secession and oppression. The time
is full Of alarming portents. The country
is in danger. Let me lift my warning
voice. Look at the taxes Of the State and
Federal Governments. The Federal Co.
yernment collects $3.50, 100000 three times
as much as was necessary few years ago
for the whole expenses OF the Government
to pay the bondholders. You black men might
as well know this--that while they have been
enfrenchising you and DISTINGUISHING white
men they have been making you slaves.
Yes, you are all slaves together to the
bond holder, who never shed drop Of
blood. l would to God that the Govern
ment had not the credit to borrow dollar
to carry on war. If the people had not had
the money to carry on war re should never
have had one. Thank God my march has
not been through Golgotha. My horors
have not been gained by blood. The
widows and orphans Of our one armed col
diers cannot attribute their wrongs to me
l stand here yindicating the Constitution
as it was handed down to me, and here al
the last hours of my life l call upon you
to cling to the Constitution as q mariner
clings to his compass.
He spoke about two hours, and was ap-
plauded heartily on retiring.
Returning to his hotel, he was at once
serenadcd by large number of old friends
and several hours we're passed in the in
terchange of interesting "reminiscences.
In conversation he spoke without reserve
of General Grant, whom he characterized
as ga bundle of prejudices" with his
"Gift Enterprise Cabinet"
The people here are heartily delighted tc
have Mr.. johnson among them again, and
they seem to think he will succeed IN over.
turning despotism in Tennessee.