The New York herald., 1873-10-24
"A 1wO-HoURS' TALK AT WASHINGTON.
His Story of Thirty Years in Official Life
for the Benefit of the People.
DANGERS OF CEsARIsM.
Andv,s Argument in Favor Of Single Presi-
Dental Term Of Six Years, an Elective
Judiciary and Other Reforms.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Oct. %. 1878.

decorated with fags and Chinese lanterns. An
7mmense crowd OF persons was present. After
music by the band calls were made for Mr. John
son, when he appeared and was received with
cheers.
He spoke OF having made his first appearance in
washington thirty years ago, briefly alluded to the
various political positions held by him during that
time and expressed his cordial thanks for this
warm welcome from those who were either wit
nesses OF his acts or had heard OF them through
their relations and friends. He wished simply to
express the emotions of heart that never
was false to friend or to the country.
Applause.) Having briefly alluded to the period
OF his Presidential life when he lived
In the MIDST OF calumny and detraction
and mendacious and unprincipled assaults, a man
IN the crowd exclaimed, .'You still live, Andy" TO
which Mr.. Johnson replied, Eyes thank God, am
still alive, and not only live physically, but am
alive to the preservation of our institutions and
the best interests OF the country (Applause) II
any one came here expecting him to argue ques-
tions or make an oratorical display, exhibit fire.
works, all he had to say there would be disap-
pointment Even If he had the mental power
he had not the physical strength on the present
occasion. What he would say now would be by
way OF inquiry, and he would ask what kind OF a
government have we now ? applause and cries
OF ''Ten uspn We used to have some idea that
THERE WAS CONSTITUTION
Naughter)-and constitutional government as I
argued when nrst made my appearance as
member OF Congress. The inquiry formerly was ss
to the powers conferred upon the government. IL
was thought long ago there was u limitation
to power, both as TO the several States and the
general government, under that instrument. Such
was the view Of Washington, the Father or his
Country who was first in peace and first in war,
and who sacrificed his ease and received no pay
for his services and so thought JEFFERSON and those
great men who framed the constitution. When he
nrst came to Congress @ there were Two great par
day the country was under their control He
feared the people would never again have
two such parties The difference between them was
merely ths:-The democrats contend for strict
construction, while the wings claimed a.little more
latitude. While these parties were thus opposed
they both agreed in the essential principle that
there was constitution But how was IL now or
within the last four or six yearsg When meas
ure was brought up in Congress ana it's const-
tutionality was questioned the reply would be IN
effect.
''DAaN THE CONSTITUTIONS;
we've got the numbers.n u4aughter.l And while
he was here as friend Of the constitution, bat
tuition was taken from the archives, torn to
pieces and tramped under foot. The query
SaVs e o. tSs war sas
iearluly efaced and wiped out the limita-
tions and restrictions OF the constitutions.
The people, therefore, required to be indoctrinated
In the principles In which the constitution was
tablished. II the constitution Is wiped out and
Congress is without restraint where are wey
Having government controlled by body of men
without limitation as to power no constitution to
restrain them but acting according TO their own
THE MOST oDIoUs DESPoTIsM
ever permitted to be established. Rather than &C
cept such body OF men calling themselves Con-
gress, or Parliament, or Courts, with unlimited
power, give him wise and just prince in preference
and gave the assent the whole thing had better
De wiped out. tApplause.l II all power was 10
De centred in one man. let him be Just and good
man. Let him be some man, whom it would be a
pride to call master
!, had essp said 1sTys sy ISsSN SssNrDn vor insane
on the constitution; the whole thing played out.
The liberties Of the people are gone" II TINS be
In the country. Iaughter) He wished the whole
country would become insane on constitutional
liberty. They should be aroused TO it. II
saw things would be different He tnen
spoke OF the increase OF plunderers, the peo-
ticular classes This injustice applied to both the
federal government and those OF the States. He
constructed to seat all the peop4e OF the country
30 tnat when the curtain was drawn they could see
reaction as was never 1elt or heard OF before.
But 1t might be said this was all talk; carry
the elections. How carry thems 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. great deal has been said
ABOUT CAEsARTsM.
he never was partisan In politics O fanatic in
religion. The world was his home and every hon
est man his brother. In the language OF Burke
the eminent British statesman, when bad men
combine for corrupt purposes the time has come
ments on constitution and country. Let, tnen,
IN the good d,mnn honest c. aad pure associate
encroachments on constitutional liberty He knew
there were societies called grangers, but beyond
t9s he did not care, If they would only take under
their control the state and national government
and administer ana preserve them the interests
Of the people. To THIS he would say ameni be 1t.
Mr.. Johnson then branched Off on the subject
OF finance, advocating gold and silver as the con-
stitutiona currency and the withdrawal OF all the
national bank notes and issuing for them green
packs 70 be received IN payment OF all government
dues. He maintained that by this means we could
return to specie payments The idea that there
an ausufulty. But what was now the matter? &
THE BANKS HAVE SUSPENDED
III used 70 be that banks suspended because they
noS the com to pay but at present the banks
suspend because they are deficient OF paper
money, m 1eso Banks brokers and corporations could
Inere was one portion OF the people that did not
ssSnspend.,namey, the taxpayers-the producers Of
millions. There were two things certain-death |
and the payment Of taxes (Laughter.j He was |
public sentiment and, instead OF tho baiiot, -,
box being degraded and corrupted, he wanted
Wall street, he said slo,ooo.ooo psss u'g nnr,no 10
= 2 day from snarsoo one hand 70 another. Capital
tnn1 gos added f sSe nroc s9s nor was
street was demoralized by such proceedings.
When nation, like an individual, sins the vista.
tioH VI tiit Ia oIinks punlsuIHeHlt ana IL
time we should
RETURN TO THE OLD LANDMARKS.
The time had come when war should be made
on monopolies. The scrambling was for money,
land and the Treasury. AS general thing the
people did not seem to be alarmed
about third Presidential term and by
apathy many q nation has lost Its liberty.
Power Is passing from the great mass to O few.
dr. Johnson then spoke in favor OF the
{ tection President for single term OF
hW years, or making Senators elective by
I'VE people, and dividing the judges into three
cssses each class 70 be elected at the time or the
sev.on @ Of a President. This, he thought, would
@ no Sway with the corruption by which some Sena-
s, .os pny ,nelr seats. But what kind or a govern
lfnens nau we nowS statocracy
:, 90 4. ~. LIE POWER or THE ARMY.
70 ,i mhlcn was 60 preserve the people In
sne ent oi ,nelr liberty and private pursuitsg
they Witnessed every day. when he was here in
the p, suon OF President there was majority OF
twoth uos IN Congress, and evnrrhndx fhnmaht