Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1872-08-29
ANDY ON THE RAMPAGE.
He Wants te be Wrapped i'm the
Flag With n Constitutions.
He Proposes to Give
as Well as Take


as Well as Take
Blows.
The Workingmen's Mass Meeting at
Nashville on Saturday night. to nominate
Andy johnson for Congress was an impos-
ing demonstration. He vas escorted TO
the square, seated in an open barouche
drawn by four horses. followed by a long
torch light procession. Resolutions en-
dorsing him as the workingmen's friend
and approving his course as a public man,
were read and adopted.
Among other things Mr.. johnson spoke
as follows:
Many have written letters, many have
talked to me, and solicited me to run. 1t
was the voluntary, the free and spontane-
Gus presentation of my name, without
any asking on my part. L have been a
long time in public life, have filed all the
positions from the lowest to the highest,
and I am free to say that those who have
been my worst enemies are some of those
who belong to my own camp. Yes the
arrow which has sunk deepest into my
bosom was sped by the archer of my own
camp.
What do we find in this State? We find
conventions are mere cOntrivdnces con-
trolled by rings, and used for the purpose
of distributing offices and their emolu-
ments among themselves, their friends,
their kit, kith and kin.
How was it with this convention the
other day? They went. if I may be par
doned the expression, like so many sheep
to the shamtles, and the people are now
complacently called upon to ratify the sale
and transfer, if you please. 1hat is what
has been done. We used to say What
constitutes a State? Not high-raised bat
Elements, not moated walls, but men highs
minded men-these constitute a State.
Freemen who 'know their rights, and
knowing, dare maintain" Hurrah for
Moses. This is what we want in GU
State.
Fellow-citizens, there were some resolu-
tions read here tonight in reference to
my becoming a candidate for Congress.
You will pardon one at my time of life, if
lie says as he has a right to say, that he
studied the interest of his people always,
with assiduity and earnest honesty. 1
want to disabuse the public mind. / do
not desire Office nor its emoluments. I've
enough to take care of myself in my de-
clining years, with one of my economical
habits and frugal management want my
position distinctly understood. L have
said 1 came not here as a candidate. l have
enjoyed all the honors of office. In those
DAYS | c a a candidate and l asked the
vote of my people. 1 obtained it and do
say that never yet have 1 been disappoint-
ed in the people, though, 1 haze been be-
trayed by politicians. [Applause. l am
no seeker of Office. A voice Well an
nounce. yourself, anyhow. In compliance
with the request made and the resolutions
passed tonight shall say, that if you,
the people, aud 1 trust in God. to-night's
work is the Inauguration of a great peo-
pies party-[Loud and prolonged APP
plause. You must stand by the Constitu-
ton. But now, if you, the people, desire
that I shall again enter you service a
voice: Out with it-declare yourself
great applause now if you, the people.
wish me to enter your service. you must
nominate me as your candidate. Loud
cries of ave do, we do" Great applause.
If you make the request, L have to say
that you have never refused to grant me
any request I have made of you, and
so now, if you really believe that the
! condition of affairs is such as to require
my services, if you put me in nomination
and present me as the standard-bearer of
the people, 1 will take your colors and
bear them into every county in the State.
Loud and long continued applause, and
| three tremendous cheers, which rose again
and again for fully five minutes. Yes,
with the banner of the principles of the
people, the Constitution and the law, with
the remaining portion of my strength and
so long as my health lasts, l will battle
for you. And if my health fails me and
my physical organ does not serve me
through, in the event 1 should perish and
fail, all I ask is, that you will lay my
bones among you, wrapped in my coun
try's flag with her Constitution. 1 know
that l shall be abused. but it is you thai
are putting me forward, and you mus
help me to bear the abuse, and be prepar
ed to receive some of the blows. [Cries
of "We will. We will" L know | shall
be abused. A voice-Hurrah for thu
Mastif. Yes, and that the kennel viii
be opened-that the house of the dogs viii
be opened, Applause and laughter, and
Blanch, Sweetheart, Tray and all the lit
tie dogs will turn out, [cheers, but le'
them come, the whole pack may snap a
me. They will find that [ am one VIII
can give blows as we'll as receive them.