The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-21
Ex-PREsiDENT JOHNSON.

Speech In Knoxville-Mersl Of the Late RIse.
lion In ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS DocIarasisn
About the Public Debt-s'Preserve the Re.
public and Let the Debt Co."
Ex-Presdent Johnson was screnaded at the Lamar
House, in Knoxville, Tenn, the 18th ins and IN
response to calls from the assembled crowd ad-
dressed them as follows:--
Ex.PREsIDENT JoHNsoN's SPEECH.
time for the making Of studied address to the peo-
pie; but being called upon and unexpectedly TO-
i assure you know how to appreciate reception
OF this kind, for an impr0mpu gathering OF the peO
pie TO listen 70 one VINO has so often been honoreq
by them, always means TO me more than the dry and
called upon. and nndng this large assembly waiting
to hear me- there are one or two things which viii
Ne have Just passed through an important and
excited canvass. The verdict Of the people Of Ten
nessee has been rendered, and Of the decision you
are all aware. Apopuar revolution has taken place
Ours is popular government, both state and
federal. There have been but two perfect forms OF
government since the earliest history OF the world,
One an absolute government, In which the power ID
vested in one man, who wtelds entire sway over his
subjects. Such government IL an empire or .
power 10 lodged IN the hands Of the people, Such =
republic: In our government we assume that all
the ballot box is the medium Of the conductor 1hch
converts tyranny from the heads Of the people For
POPULAR FORM OF aovERxxsNT
This Is popular government 1t democratic
form OF government use the word "den0crattc's
have had since the war closed has Been soa,swhss
representative republic representative democfacy.
In the recent election In this state the people, In the
Ss % sSs
tuition 1t was MAXIM laid down by the olo Greeks
election we have had, here in Tennessee powers a.
minstered, IN part, as OF limited MONARCHY.
s% aa 1 BEEN
no restraint upon Congress. In their ectiona they
have consulted merely their own discretion. When
we examine closely the principles which underlie
m0narchical government and those OF republic We
WIN nnd that our government nas been swinnng
government.
THE PUBLIC DEBE-"sAyE TIE a REPUBLIC LET TIN
In our present condition we see the history Of the
world proved. We started with representative DE-
mocracy The fathers OF the country conceived the
ian Inspiration from on nigh" Lately we md thai
great efforts have been made to change our form Of
that we are endeavOring TO GET back to our old
moOring and our true position, the danger lteE In
S 81 e people
merged into despotism. 1t 10 even now being Ct
tempted. Your attention.
AN EMPIRE ON THE RUINS OF THE RHPUBLIC.
attempting to create empire the ruins Of this
amounting to $4,000, 600, 600. THESE men VINO are
engaged IN this conspiracy to change our republican
Created to preserve the repuDiicH Now what 10 as.
sumed Simply that we must destroy this republic for
| the purpose Of paying the debt by converting tho
God and this people tonight would rather that the
republic was preserved and the DEBT let CO. (Lond
Nowthe republic must be destroyed 70 pay the debt
Rather let the government be preserved and let the
wow ~ TIE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
Our government Is one IN which the people do the
ns e m
State can determine It's status and powers. Now Il
Is assumed by Congress to propose an amendments
from fixing the qualifications Of It's voters. Then.
| If this amendment Is adopted, Congress takes tho
| The constitution OF the United States In arranging
| determined that Congressman should be elected by
| the electors in The State qualified to vote for men,
beers OF the most numerous branch OF the State Legs-
! lature The fifteenth amendment proposes TO lodge
this power In Congress.
Let us look at the present condition Of virginia,
Mississippi and Texas. After 1t had been demon
strated thai they had no power to secede 1t Is now
proposed BY the federal authorities to keep them
| permission to amend ITSELF says provided that
| the constitution shall not be 80 amended as to de-
priye any State OF It's equal suffrage In the Senate"
The government now turns to Virginia and says that
until she ratifes the fifteenth amendment she shall
| not be represented in the Senate.
/
The time IL now come when we should consider
the elementary principles OF our government ana
cries for party Let as form party strong enough
to save the constitution and the country. Let Us
rally under Tue constitution Let US know no party
The speaker here addressed the colored men
tGeHent. Advising them Of their true condition and
population 81 IN, voting en- nsasse with the white
THE BONDfrOLpD.
Where is all the gold and silver In tue -
Our paper money ~ from thirty to forty cent d
minis receiving the device of the government over
$500 100000 in gold and silver coin. The largest
amount OF paper IN circulation at any time WA
600. Where is this gold and silverS As the
paper money mas been pushed out the gold and silver
mas been taken INTO tue safes and the vaults Of the
the paper money vanishes into thin air these
men win demand: seize upon and control the pro-
made to make "the char OF the king better than the
poor mans corn. 1t is cracking the NUT taking out
the contents ana throwing the shell 10 the peoDle
A COMPARISON.
How does this matter stand? Take the widow Of
sSldef% gs money 90 they pay her n The
pons and Is paid In gold anu silver. At the next
desk the poor widows pension is paid in snnplas-
half for q dollars worth. BE buys q dollar
and a hairs worm for dollar tell
1t is the deliberate design OF men at the head Of your
government TO change its character. Unless you
as 1 sas G s oa
talk OF parties, but tins Is the great question.
CONCLUSION.
thank the people of Tennessee for the kindness
and regard with which have been welcomed all
over the State. | have no conceaments to make. I
never played false to the people. Inevcr concealed
my motives. II our government Is ever restored
then Will the principles enunciated in my two last
annual messages to Congress be the bases Of the
restoration
In Tennessee will live; here expect to die. My
hearts wish Is to occupy proper place In your es-
TEEN. When passions shah cease and reason re-
surnes her sway Will have no fear OF the position
VIII occupy IN your regards. Good night