Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-10-24

tional ard right. Now, suppose when Congress
meets the next time some man gets up AMI in
PRODUCES q preamble and resolution talking
about third term, the Capitalization of power,
and the great danger in which the capital of the
country is-the people getting restless, taxes
high. and the tax gatherer around every day.
1--WE are getting a little afraid of the people.
Notwithstanding they talk so much, they are a
little afraid of the people. Some man gets no,
either in the Senate or the House of Representa-
tiyeS, and introduces preamble and resolution,
and declares that whereas the position of affairs
in the United States are very uncertain and
critical; and whereas the liberties of the people
are in great danger and peril and something
should be done to make them more stable and
permanent than they are, and therefore you
can make the rest of the preamble yourselves.
Therefore, be IL resolved that A, b, or CT
don't care who you fill up the blanks with-is
hereby declared president for the next ten years,
and that the troubles and difficulties of the
how easy was the transition when Napoleon
made his way into France. He was first con-
sui and then President-then elected President
for ten years, and before the time expired
HE WAS ELECTED EMPEROR.
Now you all talk very quietly and feel very
secure. have seen what the people would sub
init to; that Is, have seen what unarmed men
would submit to when brought into conflict
with armed men. tApplause Put hundred
armed men in a country, and the whole couu-
try Il in terror. Declare your next President
elected without going to the trouble of an cleo
ton. The people are getting dissatisfied and
bosterOus. Now, to save all this trouble and
10 ave the people the trouble, we will make the
next President OF the United States. Suppose
that Congress passes it, what would Won do?
Here Is your arsenal and your backward
What would you do? IL is well enough for the
people to begin to ascertain and fnd out their
condition. tell you this government is
NEARER AN ABSOLUTE POWER
than some OF you are aware of. Would it lie
any more OF tiagraut violation of the Consfi-
tuition to declare some one as President tor a
certain number of years, and then, before that
number OF years has expired, under the aus
PIces OF that power to make him absolute?
would It be any more unexpected, for instance,
than in France?
You have got the trouble here with YOU, and
as rulers you drive it from you. Let me say
lt behooves every one to be on the alert. To
stand upon the tch-tOwer of freedom; to guard
your constitution, and resist the encroachments
that are being made upon it. You can do it il
You Will. Elevate and purify the ballot box.
1t is said that l am ambitious, and [ don't
deny it. Thank God that / have been ambi
tlous When boy my idea was to elevate my
SELF, ana to do 1t upon my own exertiOns-upOn
nv own merits. If this was ambition was am
bltous. If entering upon public life to discharge
my duty, according TO the law and the Consti-
tuition OF my country, observing a strict fidelity
to my constituents, is ambitious, / am ambi
fully and
STANDING UPON THE PRINCIPLES OF THR CON
STITUTION
when ignOminy was at hand, when towards
threatened, when usurpatiOn was striding over
aIl-if standing my position and bidding def
ance TO the angry wave is amOiton-I have
been ambitious. lApplause
ana now let me say to YOU here tonight
having nothing to ask-it is the summit and
acme of all my ambition that when am dead
and gone, passed TO that bourne whence no
traveller returns-it is the most pleasing Thought
IN making the transit from time to eteTnity-ifI
can only feel and think that / am leaving A
name and occupying a place in the affections
ana hearts OF my countrymen, it would be the
most enjoyable thought of nv life.
am ambitiOUs-I am ambitious of occurring
q place IN the respect and in the hearts and i'm
the affections of my cOuntrymen when shall
be dead and gone, let others say what they nav.
1 thank you, gentlemen, for the attention YOU
have given here tonight. l have occupied YOUR
time much longer than l intended. / did not
think | should speak fifteen minutes but my
voice has held out much better than expected.
FOr tins Kindness upon nv return 70 your
midst, having been witnesses OF my public life
please accept the best wishes of my heart ami
take my best wishes home. Goodbye, aud may
God bless YOU.