Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-11
6 Peace, Forbearance and Charity,
A Return to First Principles Urged.


A Return to First Principles Urged.
KNOXVILLE, TENN, Aug. 1O.-Mr.
johnson was in excellent condition. A
large crowd was present from all parts of
East Tennessee. His reception was very
enthusiastic. Mr.. johnson was introduced
by Hon. T. A. r. Nelson, and spoke for
over two hours. He said:
Fellow citizens of Knox county: ap-
pear before you not as candidate, but, as
Judge Nelson remarked, to discuss the
questions which are agitating the public
mind at the present time. must confess
that the remarks of Judge Nelson's were
gratifying to me, more so from the fact that
him and were together when the great
question agitated the whole country, when
our late troubles commenced. We have
been together all the time since, and are
one in thought at the present time. Dur
ing the darkest period of my polit-
ical history / found him by my
side. have been led to make these re-
marks from the kind words ofmy distin-
guished friend Judge Nelson. After hav-
ing passed through many troublesome and
trying ordeals, and from the limited sources
have had at my command for obtaining
information, you cannot expect much from
me. ave not lately been in the habit of
making speeches, but l esteem it great
pleasure to meet so many familiar coun-
tenances in this audience to-day. will
endeavor to impress the belief upon your
minds and understandings that now, as it
has ever been, it is my aim to act upon
principle. L am not a candidate for any
office. l came to your city on private busi-
ness, and was induced by some of your cit
izens to remain and make few remarks
upon the political questions of the present
day. 1t seems TO me that we have arrived
at that period in our political history when
we should refer back to
First Principles,
and see what was aimed at by the founders
OF our government, and not simply look at
the political course of the day. Look back
to the political creed of former days. We
ara the descendants Of those great men who
achieved our independence from the mother
country, and of those who framed our con-
stitution. Had the course marked out by
these fathers of the republic been followed,
we should not be in the sad condition we
are to-day. Our fathers assembled in Con-
gress for the establishment of principles,
and marked out the course to be pursued
by the generations to follow. In
| the later days these creeds and land
marks have been disregarded, and the
whele machinery of the government has
been changed. In going back TO first prin-
| ciples we should look at the bounds and
boundaries of limitation as delegated to us
by those who framed the constitution, that
noble safeguard of American liberties.
Who would ever have thought of starting
the idea that the people of this country
were not incapable of self-government? Ali
of us should agree and harmonise on these
first principles. One great principle was the
establishment of republic, constitutional
democracy which saved the country from
ans-cny and destruction. There is limit
between the two extremes of monarchy
and ..
M0b0cracy
to which our country is fast drifting. l
make lodgment between them. My day
is past, but my feelings are yet in behalf of
| the old Constitution. | have held so long
| to these ideas, ,basediupon the laws Of nations
| that l cannot but believe there should be
a limit to the authority of our rulers. There
are three departm 9nts of our Government
which were each intended to aid in the ex-
ercise of, and control the affairs of the gov
ernment. Some of the de-
partments have been trying to alb
| sorb the others. The veto power of
the executive is negative. 1t simply sus-
pends the action of the law. The execu-
tive and judicial departments are negative.
The legislative department has absolute
power, If that branch is disposed to use it.
| 1t can pass laws. The executive can veto
them, but Congress can again pass them
over his veto. What l say to-day
May be the Last Time
| shall ever address any of you, but warn
you to beware of the legislative department.
Hence the Importance of having the consti-
tuition guarded. See to it that it is not vic
lated. Whittier are we voyaging? Look
at the corruption all over the land
and you will conclude that we are
in need of constitutional restraint. Why,
we have the most absolute government on
the face of the earth. We are governed by
a monarchy with
| 24s Heads.
l should prefer to have but one, true ant
wise. 1t is worse as it is, because Con-
gress is disposed to 90 wrong and the Execu
| Tive ulSpOStu W idu III Will LIN
President has proved himself very efficient
as regards unconstitutional laws. Tht
great principles of our forefathers were fa
from the taint of corruption. Their public
officers were free from bad influences.
Mr.. johnson here quoted from the consti
tuition as follows:
"No title of nobility shall be granted by
The United States and no person holdins
an Office Of profit or trust under them shall
without the consent of Congress, accept O.
presents, emolument; Office or title of an
kind whatever from any King, Prince o.
foreign potentate."
Thus you see how our forefathers looked
at such corruption as is involved in gift
taking. They overlooked one thing in thei
wisdom. They should have provided tha
no officer of the Government should re
ceive any emolument whatever from tn
millionaires. The officers of the Govern
ment to-day should be beyond temptation
We want that great moral idea of principle
established. l hope and trust we have no
reached that point in the history of tn
. country when it may be said that our reasol
is lost. When this excitement has passed
: away, trust reason will resume her sway
Mr.. johnson here read an extract fror
WashingtOn's
first address to the United States Congres
as follows:
: aTo the preceding observations | hav
: one to add which will be most properly ad
: dressed to the House of Representatives
It concerns myself, and will, therefore, b
l as brief as possible: When was first hon
ored with a call into the service of m,
9 country, then on the eve of an arduou
: struggle for its liberties, the light in whicl
7 l contemplated my duty required that
should renounce every pecuniary compeI
sation. From this resolution l have in n
t instance departed, and being still under th
impressions which produced it, l must de
J, cline, as inappropriate to myself, any shar
: in the personal emoluments which may b
: indispensably included in a permanen
;, provision for the executive department.
= must accordingly pray that the pecuniar
9 estimates for the station in which | al
q placed, may, during my continuance in il
+ be limited to such actual expenditures a
! the public good may be thought TO require.
t The men at that early period in tie histor
y of the country were patriots. They woul
J. have sccrned tie idea that PresideI
IS would receive bribes and presents, and il
7 return would appoint the donors to lucra
( tive offices. Look at the condition of al
fairs now. You