The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-10-31
Hare We a Constellation, P


Washington on Thursday evening
In the course of it he said he would
ask, what kind of government have
we now? applause, and cries of
Tell us - We used to have some
idea that there was a constitution
daughter r)-and a constitutional gov
ernment, as argued when | first made
my appearance as a member of Con-
gress The inquiry formerly was as
to the powers conferred upon the Gov
ernment. 1t was thought long ago
there was limitation to power, both
as to the several States and the gen
eral government, under that instru-
ment Such was the view of Wash
ington, the Father Of his Country who
was first in peace, and first in war,
and who sacrificed his ease and re-
ceived no pay for his services and so
thought jefferson and those great men
who framed the constitution When
he first came to Congress there were
two great parties-the wing and the
democratic. He wished TODAY the
country was under their control. He
feared the people would never again
have Nv ~ SOCll Ddl IlSS. lC NlllcIGilCS
between them was merely this: The
democrats contend for strict construc-
ton, while the wings claimed a little
more latitude. While these parties
were thus opposed they both agreed in
the essential principle that there was
a constitution. But how was it now
or within the last four or six wears
When a measure was brought up in
Congress and its constitutionality was
questioned the reply would be in eff
feet, Damn the constitution we've
got the numbers" (Laughter.) And
while he was here as a friend of the
constitution, battling and cOntending
for its existence, the constitution was
taken from the archives, torn to pieces
and trampled under foot. The query
came up. What kind of a govern
ment have we? The consequences of
the war had fearfully effaced and
wiped out the limitations and restric-
tiOns of the constitution. The people,
therefore, required to be indoctrinated
in the principles in which the consti-
tuition was established If the consti-
tuition Is wiped out and Congress is
without restraint where are we? Hav-
ing a government controlled by q body
of men without limitation as to power,
no constitution to restrain them, but
acting according to their own will and
interest, we have the most odiOus Ges-
pOtism ever permitted to be establish
ed. Rather thar accept such body
Of men calling themselves Congress,
par orr I'nI1,.f- Mill,
tied power give him a wise and Just
prince in preference. If the other de-
partments were made subordinate and
gave the assent the whole thing had
better be wiped out (Applause) If
all power was to be centred in one
man, let him be just and good man,
who it would be a pride to call mas
ter.
1t had been said "Why johnson,
you are insane on the constitution :;
the whole thing is played out The
liberties of the people are gone" If
this be insanity he wished to God
there was more insanity in the coun~
try. Oaughter.) lie wished the
whole country would become insane
on constitutional liberty. They should
be aroused to it. If the people could
see as their fathers saw, things would
be different. He then spoke of the
increase of plunderers, the people be-
ing taxed to subserve the interests of
particular classes. This injustice ap-
piled to both the federal government
and those of the States. He wished
/ 1t were possible to have an amphithe~
D o+ - Ill ~ l.
of the country, so that when the cur
/ tain was drawn they could see what
/ was going on. There would then be
| such a reaction as was never felt or
| heard of before But it might be said
| this was all talk we can carry the
elections. How carry them While
heavy taxes were being laid on the
! people the ballot-boX was corrupted
and degraded, controlled by money in
/ the hands of those who are not the
peoples friends. A great deal has
/ been said about Caesarism lie never
was partisan in politics or fanatic
/ in religion. The world was his home
and every honest man his brother. In
the language of Burke, the eminent
/ British statesman, when bad men com
bine for corrupt purposes the time has
come when good men should combine
to resist encrOachments on constitu-
/ tion and country. Let, then, the good,
/ honest and pure associate in a COM
mon cause to resist all the encroach-
ments on constitutional liberty. He
knew there were societies called gran
gers, but beyond this he did not care,
if they would only take under their
control the State and National gov
ernments- and administer them for
the interests of the people To this
he would say, amen so be it. Mr.
Johnson then branched off on the sub
ject of finance, advocating gold and
silver as the constitutional currency
and the withdrawal of all the nation