New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-24
ANDREW JOHNSON.
THE Elk PRESIDENTS SPEECH AT TIE MA
TlONAL CAPITAL

SPEECH ON 1HE THE CENIRhl-
zATIoS or POWER. AND OTHER sUBJEcTs-HIs
VIEWS ON THE sPECIR PAYMENT QUEsTIoS-THE
ELECTION or PRESIDENTS. CONGREssMEN AND
JUDGEs--THE GOVERNMENT NEARLY ABSOLUTE
TIME FOR TIKI PEOPLE TO ASCERTAIN THEIR
TRUE POSITION.
WASHINGTON, Oct 23.-Ex- President johnson was
serenaded tonight at the Metropolitan Hotel the
front of which was decorated with flags and Chinese
lanterns. An immense crowd of persons was present.
After music by the band. calls were made for Mr..
johnson. When he appeared ho was received with
cheers.
Ho spoke OF having mado his first appearance in
Washington 30 years ago. briefly alluded the various
political positions held by him during that tme and
pressed his cordial thanks for this warm welcome
from those who either witnesses Of his
acts, or had heard of them through their
relatives and friends lie wished simply
to express the emotions Of heart that false
TO friend or to tho country. [Appauso.l Having
briefly alluded to the period of his Presidential life.
when no lived the midst OF oalumny. and detracton
and mendacious and unprincipled assaults. man in
the crowd exclaimed. "You still 1.-Two, Andy"
To this Mr.. johnson replied: Yes, thank
God am still alive, and not only 1.-Two
physically, but 1 alive to the preservation
OF Institutions and tho best interests iof the
try" tApplause.l fanny came here expecting him
exhibit fireworks. all no had to say that there
would be n disappointment. Even II he had tho mental
power he had not the physical strength the present
occasion. What he would say now would be by
way OF inquiry. and he would ask. What
kind OF Government have now 7
Applause and cries OF Tell us We used 10 have
idea that there Constitution laughter and con-
stltutiona government. as argued when I first made
my appearance a Member OF Congress- The inquiry
formerly TO the powers conferred upon the Govern
ment IL thought long age that there limta-
ton to power both as to tho several states and
general government under that instrument. Such
the OF Washington. the Father OF his Country who
first in peace and first war; and who sacrificed
his and received pay for his services and
thought Jefferson and those great mon who framed the
Constitution. When no ArSt came 20 Congress Mr..
Johnson said. there two great parties-tho wing
and the Democratic. lie wished to-day tho country
under their control Ho feared the people would never
again have two such parties. The difference between
them merely this: The Democrats contended for
strict construction while the Wings claimed little
latitude. Whilo these parties thus opposed, they
both agreed in the essential principle that there was
Constitution But how It now. within the last
four or six yearsi when was brought up IN
Congrcss, and its consntutonaty was questioned.
the reply would be in effect: "Dn the Constitution
we've got the numbers." fLaughterl And while
he was here as friend ~ the Constitution, battling and
contendng FOR It's existence, the Constitution was taken
from The archives torn to pieces and tramped under
foot. The query came up, What kind OF Government
have Wet The consequences of the war had fearfu!y
eaced and wiped out the limitations and restrictions OF
tho Constitution. Tho people. therefore, required
to DO indOCtriuated In tho principles IN
which the Constitution established. IL
the Constitution is wiped out and Congress Is without
restraint, where wei Having Government con
trolod by body Of men without limitation as to power
no Constitution TO restrain them. but acting according
to their own will and interests have the most 0dlOus
despotisn ever permitted 10 be established Rather
THAI accept such body Of men calling themselves Con
gress or Parliament courts with unlimited power
give him a wise aud lust prince in preference II the
other departments were made subordinate and gave
their the whole thing had better DO wiped out
lAppausc II all power 10 he conferred in one man
let him be lust and good man. Let him be some
man whom 10 would be pride to
call master. IL had been said: Why.
Johnson, you are insane on the Constitution The
whole thing ia played ont Tho Liberties Of the people
are gone" II this be insanity he wished TO God there
was more insanity In the country. lLiughterl He
wished the whole country would become insane on CON
stitutional liberty They should be aroused 70 It, IL
tho people could see as their fathers saw things would
DC different
THE PLUsDERIS8 AND TAXING oF The PEOPLE.
He then spoke OF the increase OF punderers the people
Dn1UR
classes This Injustice applied to both the Federal Coy
ernment and those Of the States Ho wished It were
possbe 20 have an amphtheater constructed to seat
all the people Of tho country that whom the curtain
Vas drawn they could 500 what was going
On There would then DO such re-
action IA was never felt or heard OF before.
But Il might be said This ia all talk wo can carry the
elections" How carry themi While heavy taxes were
being laid on the people the bllioboI corrupted
in hn
those who are not the peoples friends. great deal
has been said about CBsarism. He never was partisan
in politics or a fanatic In religion. The sword was his
home and every honest man his brother. In the ian
mage Of Burke the eminent British statesman "When
had man combine for corrupt purposes tho time has come
when good rmen should combine to resist
sncroachments on the constitution and country" Let
then, the good. honest, honest and pure associate
I'm a common cause to resist all encroach-
ment on constitutional liberty. lie
knew thers we're societies called Oranges
but beyond this he did not care II they would only take
under their control the State and National Governments
and administer and preserve them for the interests oil
the people. 10 this he would say, Amen, 30 be 1t.
Mr. johnson then branched of on the subject Of finance
yocating gold and silver the constitutional cur
rcncy and the withdrawal OF all the national bank notes
aud Issuing for them greenbanks to DO received IN pay
ment of all Government dues He maintained tnat ny
this WE could return Eos 10 s 9ece yeP for
purpose was absurdity. But what was now the mat
teri Inc BANKS nave euhpenhou' -
banks suspended because they had not tho com
to pay but at prescnt the banks suspend
because they are deficient Of paper currency:
Ranks brokers, and corporations cOuih
ali suspend and there way to reach tnem IheIe
was one portion of the people that did not sspenl'
namely the taxpayers, tue producers OF the country
The specuators could suspend with Hiiilons apei ~;
were two things certsin-death aud the payment Oh
taxes. lLaughterl lie was In favor OF a
re yOlution being brought about Ia puDne sentlnen.;
and instead OF the ballOt-bOx being degraded anu
rorrupted he wanted the ballot elevated ana purined'
Auding to Was he said $40 100000 pass during usy
from one hand another. Capital not Increased Dy
mis- nor was anything added 10 the products or the c0un
trv Walst was denOra zed by such proceedings When
nation like individual sins, the violation Oi INC ia"
brings punishment. aud IL was now time We shOuu re-
trn to me old Landmarks. Tle time bad come when
war should be made mOnopOles. The bcrauiDllhg
-. q unnuex land- the TrnhinrN As RenerAl