Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-18
Facts Concerning the Present Ad.
miniStratiOn.
The Modern Ulysses Handled With.
ont Gloves.

For several days it had been generally
understood that ex-President Andrew
johnson was TO make a speech in the Elk
position Bsilding, on Broad and Spruce
streets, yesterday morning at ii o'clock
Before that hour had arrived the gigantic
ediice had nearly filed, some of the audi
ence coming from great distance to see
and hear Tennessee's able statesman.
When the distinguished speaker arrived The
excitement was immense, cheers and hur-
rahs were freely given, and it was some
time before quiet could be obtained for bis
introduction. The band of Sc. JOseph's
Temperance Association was present, and
upon the entrance of the eX-President,
played "Hail to the Chief" The delivery
of the speech, which was one of the ablest
ever heard in this city, occupied upwards of
two hours, and was frequently cheered
heartily. Mr.. johnson was looking in good
health aud although the heat in the build
ing was excessive, his speech commanded
the earnest attention Of the audience
throughout. He was introduced by Col.
Burch, with the following words:
FELBow-CITIZENS, LADIES AND GEN
TLEMEN: You have assembled to-day to
hear Tennessee's ablest living statesman,
ex-President johnson, who has come toad
dress you on the political issues which are
nov being discussed before the people Of
every State of the United States. 1t would
be suptrerogston, l think, for me to occu-
py your time in lengthy introduction of
one so well-knOwn to the people of the
Union, to the people Of Tennessee, and
especially TO the citizens Of Nashville. l
know that it would be supererogation in me
To utter in this presence anything laudatory
of one who has been so long loved by many
In this assemblage, and whose great talents
have been so universally acknowledged and
greatly admired by all, however widely
they may have differed from him in the
past. l introduce to you ex-President
Andrew johnson.
SPEECH OF ANDREW JOHNSON.
Fellow citizens, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Ny presence here to-day is prompted by the
many urgent appeals on the pant of kind
friends in this city. l have thought per-
hgps had made my last speech to you, but
you are kind enough TO request, and it
would be iDgratitude for me TO refuse.
Thugs have taken turn, so | consider that
am not altogether wrong in addressing
you. TIE questions that l shall dwell most
uToa viii be those most nearly connected
the field Of politics. l regret that
it has been, and still is my painful duty to
show 70 you how remotely allied the pres
. ent Interpretation of the constitution is
with that Of the times of our forefathers.
The time has arrived when the great
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
which uncerlie our government, are
Thought bun little about; while the aIl-see-
ing and omuipresent god of gain is sue
ceeding admirably in overthroWing all the
good that has been laid down in the con-
sttution of our country. To build I'D this
constitution aud restore It 10 lis old condl-
ton should ue the work of each and every
one Of US, and we should not allow poll
ticians to hold Office who would not assist
in the cAnsUmmation ofthis holy end. This,
my talo citizens, is a labor Of love and Of
divinity, for next TO his God what can
true American love more than his country.
Let rs labor to bring about
THIS result. The work cannot be accom-
plished in year, nor yet two years, but
mus be patiently persevered in-not only
in words but in deeds.
TIE CONSTITUTION, THE KEYSTONE OF
THE UNION.
The constitution is the keTstOue of the
union, and If it is destroyed The union must
is ]. Hence we should not only try to
preserve the constitution as i: is, but bring
it back TO its old purity. This subject is a
sacred ole [ say, and it should be our aim
70 discuss it 50 thoroughly that We would
become familiar W tn it. With the full
power % vested in the Old constitution, for
ruling and ruling well, nothing will GO
am 81, Tor i is the embodiment of truth, for
GOd IS ruth, and right is might. The con-
sti-a.ico is truthful and righteous. and if
We aiaare to it, it will guide us in the right
direction. As the government is
now managed, it seems as if
it was The desire of those connected with il
in an Cticial capacity, to manage it regard
less Of all past laws, and that dear old
CoLsti uti0n is left to suffer, at the hands of
f-cse who DO not know what its qualities
aTc. The question arises,
HAVE WE A GOVERNMENT?
And If so, wha; kind OF q Government
have We? If we aralyze sovereignty we
find Il at it is composed of three powers,
namely, tie Legislative, the Executive and T
the Judiciary. The United States of :
America is styled Federal Government, (
but where will you find in this country /
these three component powers equally /
balanced. /
ne NouSJluLlDu ID Tue fundamental !
law Of the State, containing the principles /
upon which the Government is founded
aud. re gulating the division of the
sovereigl powers, directing to what /
persons each of the powers is
to be can6ied, and the manner in which it
is to ha exercised. The constitution is
made By authority of the people them !
selves, or their delegates specially author
lied, aud it can be changed only by the !
like power. The Legislature, which is the
creature Of the constitution, cannot make
any chtEge in such fundamental law. Now,
my ieIow- Citizens, should like to know
whether you consider that you have given
your authority 10 have the constitution
brough tcwn TO its present condition?
II '5 ~ Nc. po!l know that you have
D." trust that you viii not Let me
- .tr T. tie different forms Of govern
n nd then leave 1t wilh you 10 decide