The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-10-28
Andrssv Johnson,ssS Sns3ckj
I'm WasAihgton. fst M ft5it

tho M6tropolitsn Hotss fhA 3fronf sof;
which was decorated with flags and Ghi-I
nese lanterns. An immefse crowd 6f
persons was present, and after mnsiSIby,
the band, calls were made for MS; John
son. He appeared and was received
with cheers. He spoke of having made
his hrst appearance in Washington
thirty years ago, briefly alluded to the
various political positions held by him
during that time. and expressed his cor.
dial thanks for his warm Welcome from
those who were either witnesses of his
acts or had heard of them. He alluded
to the period of his Presidential life,
when he lived in the midst of calumny
and detraotion and unequaled assaults.
He said if any one came here expecting
him to argue questions or make an ora
torioal display, or exhibit fire. works, all
he had to say was that there would be
disappointment. Even if he had the
mental power, he had not the physical
strength. What he would say now
would be by way of inquiry, aud he
would ask, what kind of government have
We now? Applause, and cries of "Tell
usl" We used to have some idea that
there was Constitution TIaughter and
a constitutional government, and, rs I
argued when 1 first made my appearance
as member OF Congress, tho inquiry
formerly was as to the powers conferred
upon the Government. It was thought,
long ago, there was a limitation OF
power both as to the several States and
the General Government under that in
strnment. When he first came to Con.
gress, there were two great parties, the
Wing and the Democratic. He wished
to-day tho country was under their con-
troll. He feared the people would never
again have two such parties.
But how was it now, or within the last
four or six years. When measure was
brought up in Congress, and it's consti
tutionality was questioned, the reply
would be, in effect, d-n the Consti-
tuition; we've got the numbers. And
while he was here as o friend of the
Constitution, battling and contending
for it's existence, the Constitution was
taken from the archives, torn in pieces,
and trampled under foot. The query
came up, what kind Of government have
we?
Having government controlled by o
body of men, without Limitation as to
power, no constitution to restrain them,
but acting according to their own inte-
rests, we have the most odious despo.
tism ever permitted to be established.
Rathen than accept such body of men,
calling themselves Congress, or Parlia-
ment, or courts, with unlimited power,
give him wise and just prince in pre-
ference. If the other departments were
made subordinate and gave their assent,
the whole thing had better be wiped out
II all the power was to be centred in one
man, let him be q just and good man.
Let it be some man whom it would be
pride to call master. It had been said,
why, johnson, you are insane on the
Constitution; the whole thing is played
out; the liberties OF the people are gone.
Ii this be insanity, he wished to God
there was more insanity in the country.
He then spoke of the increase of
plunderers, the people being taxed to
subserve the interests Of particular
classes. This injustice applied to both
tho Federal Government and the States.
He wished it were possible to have an
amphithentre constructed to seat oil the
people OF the country, so that, when the
curtain was drawn, they could see what
was going on. There would then be
such 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.
When bad men combine for corrupt
purposes, the time has come when good
men should combine to resist their en-.
croachments. Let the good, honest
and pure men associate III a common
cause to resist all encroachments on
constitutional liberty. He knew there
were societies called oranges, but be.
yond this he did not care, if they would
only take under their control the State
and National Governments and admins.
ter and preserve it for the interests
of the people. TO this lie would say
amen, SO be it. He then branched of
on the subject of finance, advocating
silver as the constitutional currency,
Withdrawing oil tho national bank
notes, and issuing for them greenbacks,
to be received in payment Of all Govern
mont dues. Banks, brokers and cor
porations could all suspend, and there
was no way to reach them. There was
one portion of the people that did not
suspend, namely, the taxpayers, the
producers Of the country. AS general
thing the naople did not aeam 70 he