New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-24
OFFICIAL JOURNAL STATS or LOUISIANA

trolIed by 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
despotlsm ever permitted to be established.
Rather than accept such body of men
calling themselves Congress, ,,or Parliament,
or courts with unlimited power, give him
wise and just prince in preference. If the
other depar, ,ments were made subordinate
and gave their assent, the whole thing had
better be wiped out. Applause
If all power was to be centered in one
man, let him be q just and good man; let
him be some man whom it would be PRIDE
to call master. 1t had been said, "Why,
johnson, you are insane on the constitu-
tiou: she whole thing is played out; the
liberties of the people are gone" 1t this be
insanity, he wished 60 God there was more
insanity in the country. Laughter He
wished the whole country would become in
sane on constitutional liberty; they should
be aroused to it; if the people could
sec as their fathers saw, things
would be different He then spoke
Of the increase of plunderers. the people
being taxed to snbserve the interests of
particular classes. This injustice applied
to both the federal government and the
States. He wished IL were possible to have
an amphitheatre constructed to seat all the
people OF the country, 80 that when the
curtain was drawn they could see what was
going on. There would then be such re-
action as was never felt or heard of
before, but it might be said this was all
talk. We can carry the elections. How
carry thems While heavy taxes are being
laid on the people, the ballot box was cor
rupted and degraded; controlled by money
in the hands OF those who are not the peo
ple's friends. 4 great deal had been said
about Csesarism. He 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 combine
for corrupt purpose the time has come
when good men should combine to resist
encrOachments on the constitution and
country. Let, then, the good, honest and
pure men associate in q common cause to
resist all encroachments on constitutional
liberty. He knew there were societies called
oranges, but beyond this he did not care if
they would only take under their control
the State and national governments and
administer and preserve them for the inter
ests of the people. To this he would say
amen.
johnson then branched off on the subject
Of finance, advocating gold and silver as
the constitutional currency, Withdrawing
all the national bank notes, and issuing for
them greenbacks, to be received in pay
ment Of all government dues. He main
tanned that, by this means, we would return
to specie payments. The idea that there
was not gold and silver enough for this
purpose was an absurdity; but what was
now the matter2 The banks have suspended.
1t used to be that banks suspended because
they had not the coin to pay, but at present
the banks suspended because they are de-
ticient of paper money. Banks, brokers
and corporations could all suspend
and there was no way to reach them. There
was one portion Of the people that did not
suspend, viz: the taxpayers. the producers
Of the country. The spectators could sus-
pend with millions. There were two things
certaln-death and the payment of taxes
ElaughterI. He was in favor Of revolution
Delng brought about in public sentiment
and instead Of the ballot box being
degraded and corrupted he wanted it
elevated and purified.
Abiding to Wall street, he said: Ten
millions of dollars pass during the day from
one hand to another. Capital is not in
creased by this, nor was anything added to
the products Of the country. Wall street
was demoralized by such proceedings
When nation, like an individual, sins, the
violation of the law brings punishment,
and it was time we should return to the old
landmarks. The time had come when war
should be waged against monopOlies. The
scramblin1 was Tor money, land and the
treasury. As general thing the people
did not seem to be alarmed about q third
presidential term, and by apathy many q
nation has lost its liberty. Power is passing
from the great mass to q few.
johnson then spoke in ia V0r of the cleo
ton OF President for a single tern of six
years, making Senators elective by the peO-
pie, and dividing the judges into three
classes each class to be elected at the time
of the election OF President. This, LIE
thought, would do away with the corrup-
ton by which some Senators buy their
seats. But what kind OF government had
they now! A statOcracy-the power of
the army. Was it not time for the
people to improve their government, which
was to preserve to the people in the
enjoyment of their liberties and private
pursuits. The converse Of this was now
the practice which they witnessed every
day. When he was here in the position of
President. there was majority of two.
thirds in Congress. and every body thought
that what those twothirds did was consti.
tutional and right. Suppose that when
Congress meets next December, some man
of influence should get up and introduce a
preamble as follows: Whereas, the situa.
ton af public affairs is uncertain and crit.
ical; and whereas, the liberties of the
people are in great danger; and whereas,
something is necessary to be done to make
them more stable. therefore, be it resolved,
that A, b, or G be and he is hereby de-
clared President for the next ten years, til!
the trouble and difficulties Of the country
shall eubside. Suppose this should be
passed, how easy It would be to follow the
example OF Napoleon, who, elected Presi
dent OF France for ten years so managed
affairs as to be elected Emperor of France
We had seen what an unarmed people
would submit 20 whe1 brought into conflict
with armed men. 1t were, therefore, we'll
for the people to ascertain their true posi-
tiOn. The government was nearer being
absolute than any of his listeners were
aware, and this would be the result unless
the people are aroused to their danger.
Unless they extract the bone this govern
ment will go the way that all republics
have gone. He was always willing to trust |
The people, believing their decision is right.
In conclusion, he admitted that he was
ambitious to maintain his cOuDtry's liber- |
lies. He had never assumed superiority.
and hever submitted to inferiOrity. Those |
whom he now addressed had seen all his |
acts as a public man, and he was ambitious
10 occupy place in the affections of his |
In closing. Mr. johnson said: 'Take my
wishes for your prosperity and happiness,
md may God bless you"
The crowd cheered, there was music by |
he band. and many old friends rushed into |
he parlor to congratulate the ex. President. |
Who had spoken to them ioy fully Two
louvso
NEW YORK.
The Shanks Cases
NE~ York, October 23.s-The Tribune, in