Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-09-08
man, and say you must take him in order
to preserve flse organization. - = Z

= AAAo L<A41DAAf ~ . !.
Upon this subject Mr.. johnson was
minute. Referring to the State Conven-
ton which nominated Gen. Cheatham, he
said since that event there seemed to be
such general understanding on the part OF
the people that their rights had been tram
pied under foot, that the people en- masse,
between 10000 and 5000 strong, invited
him to address them in hville-then it
was he was nominated by them. he was
urged to become their candidate By this
immense mass meeting of ten thousand
people. This outburst of popular senti-
ment, this great pulsation going forth like
mighty tidal wave, asked him to become
THEIR STANDARD BEARER.
He was nominated by Is, 900 people-there
was more popular sentiment in that meet
ing than in party conventions. He dis
claimed being before the people as -
-EaAge j A DISoRGANIZER.
be appeared there without asking the COM
mittee and the convention. He came as
the standard bearer of the people. Speak
ing Of government, he said the three grand
divisions of y 81
sssf GOVERNMENT E
were defined TO be Democracy, an aris-
tocracy and a monarchy. Comparing gcv-
ernment to the pendulum of a clock, he
said power was always stealing from the
minority Of the few to the majority OF the
many, and from this fact he recognized the
truth and logic of Jefferson's words,
"ETERNAL VIGILANCE IS THE PRICE OF
LIBERTY"
and thought a representative Democracy
was a Republican form of government,
whose origin in this country be ascribed TO
the prudence and honesty Of our fore
fathers-such government founded upon
the grand law of nature was an emanation
Of divine wisdom. From this he showed it
to have been a government of limitation
restricting by its organic law, the constitu-
ton the legislative and executive function
aries, and giving boundary to the judici-
ary also. "What kind of government is
your present government ?" ~ -
He defined it to be that form of govern
ment known as
STRATOCRACY,
which means military government, a gov
ernment by military chiefs and an army.
Mr.. johnson said this was the kind of gov
erdment we now had, an evidence of which
were the military districts, against which
there was so much complaint being made.
He disclaimed the charge, which he said
had been made, that be was invidious, but
merely spoke of this subject
on general principles. He COM
pared the United States government to
that of Mexico, whose condition resulted
from military rings and military govern
ment. On the Federal side he found there
was Gen Grant, Gen. Sherman, ans Gen.
So-and-so, and could not tell how far it
would extend unless its course was prompt
ly arrested. Nor could he tell how far the
military Government would go on the other
hand in the South. Horace Greeley, he
said, had spoken upon this subject in re-
ferring to the Army of the Republic. While
it was true the military ring
existed in the North, he wanted to know
If it were an offence or disagree
able for him to look at the other side. The
military had formed ring Of power and
Office. "How is it in the South. Idon't
wish by this to weund the feelings OF the
tenderest." 'sIt is General A., a General
B. for everything" With the Federals
they apply to the soldiers and with the Con-
federates they apply to their comrades in
arms. The young men he said, by this
ring, did well enough when battles are to
be fought, but when offices are to be filed,
the officers fill them. (Sh6uts of s'that's
SOY he gave this military system, which
made young men fight and sleep on the
ground, but elected officers to fill civil po-
sitions in time of peace, a severe rebuke.
Mr.. johnson then defended his acts while
MILITARY GOVERNOR,
and endeavored TO justify the levying of
contributions to support the poor and needy,
saving If it were to do over again he would
double the contributions. While explain
ing his reason for levying these contribu-
tions from men who had persuaded 9TH
ers to join the army, promising to pay
house rent for their families and support
them-who had contributed to equip SOL
diers and batteries" a voice in the crowd
cried, aWhat did you do with the Union
men? Did you take their property" Mr..
johnson replied: We tried to protect
them, though 1 expect many Of them were
not protected like they should have been.
GCheers.1 In this connection he reviewed
his course while es..
U. s. SENATOR
which was like that previously made in his
Gallatin speech though at greater length
set forth. Speaking of the "amendmen"
offered and the "Three Territorial Bills"
(which he read and explained, he was
severe on
SECESSION
and the men who, as did Mr.. Davis, be
claimed, told up their papers and read their
yaledictory in the Senate, leaving the
Democracy with minority, when it had a
majority and the ruling of the Supreme
Court in its favor. The fugitive slave law
was discussed here. He spoke of the Leg
islatiye action of Tennessee IN declaring an
ordinance Of secession as an act of tyranny
and a violation most fragrant of the peoples
rights. He disclaimed desire to show
HIS CONSISTENCY
by referring to this. He denied that he
had failed to warn the people, a charge some
had alleged against him.
The speaker next referred to the fact Of
his having left his Office in the Senate
where there were emoluments and wasfIee
from danger, to come to Tennhssee and to
assist as far as possible the people from the
euroads and encroachments being made
upon their rights and property. He came
in kindess to defend the weak, help the
needy; he tried to do the best he could for
Federal Government and the people of Ten
nessee. 81 have pardoned more persons
than any man ia the civilized world.
How many men have pardoned? How
many captives have turned loose? He then
spske concerning the loss of his property
and slaves by the Confederate government,
and the fear many felt when they learned
he was made President. The people, he
said, stfelt here that my vengeance would,
he poured out like vials Of wrath upon their
heads" He then argued to prove that he
had lifted himself above such influence of
passion and revenge; had said let there be
Desce-let all be amnestied and pardoned
aupon the principle of justice" Mr.. john
son said, "when have set
65,O00 CAPTIvEs FREE,
lifting myself above passion and vindictive-
ness and all that could influence a heart
prone to revenge and malice, under these
circumstances, if l asked for amnesty,
should not have little amnesty? think
l am entitled to a little commiseration.
The speaker discussed many other points,
one being
THE POLITICIANS WAR.
He said he made the remark few days
ago and would repeat it here to-day: Who
commenced the war? 1t was the politi-
clans war and
THE PEOPLES FIGHT.
The politicians he said commenced the
war and held the offices and emoluments,
while the poor soldier slept on the ground