Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-11-01
SPEECH OF EX-PREsIDENT JOHN
&AN

SPEECH OF EX-PREsIDENT JOHN
SON.
Ex-President Johnson was serenaded
on the night Of the 23rd ult., at the Me
tropolitan Hotel, the front of which
was decorated with flags and Chinese
lanterns. An immense crowd Of per-
sons were present. After music by the
band calls were made for 'Johnson,
when he appeared, and was received
with cheers.
lie STILL LIVES.
He spoke of having made his first ap-
pearance in Washington thirty years
ago, briefly alluded to the various polit-
ical positions held by him during that
time and expressed his cordial thanks
for this warm welcome from those who
were either witnesses Of his acts or had
heard of them through their relatives
and friends He wished simply to ex-
press the emotions of a 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, "And 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 in
stitutions and the interests of the coun-
try" Applause.
If any one came here expecting him
to argue questions or make an oratori-
cal display or exhibit fireworks, all he
had to say was there would be disap-
pointment. Even if he had the mental
power he had not the physical strength
on the present occasion.
WHERE ARE WE NOW.
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 tell us.
We used to have some idea that there
was constitution laughter and con,
stitutional government, and as L argued
when l first made my appearance as a
member of Congress, the inquiry form
erly was as to the powers conferred up
on the government.
1t was thought long ago there was
limitation to power both as to the seve-
raj States and the general government
under that instrument. Such was the
view of Washington, the father Of his
country, who was first in peace and first
war, and who sacrificed his ease and re-
ceived no pay for his services, And so
thought Jefferson and those great men
who framed the constitution. When
he first came to Congress there were
TWO GREAT PARTIES,
the whig and the democratic. lie wish
ed to-day the country was under their
control. lie feared the people would
never again have two such parties. The
difference between them was merely
this The democrats contended for
strict construction, while the wings
claimed a little mole latitude. While
these parties were thus opposed they
both agreed in the essential principle
that there was constitution.
But how was it now, or within the
last four years or six years ? When a
measure was brought up in Congress
and its constitutionality questioned, the
reply would be in effect, damn the
constitution, we've got the numbers.
Laughter. And while he was here as
a friend of the constitution, battling and
contending for its existence, the constl-
tuition was taken from the archives, torn
in pieces and trampled under foot. The
query came up, ''Nhat kind of gov
ernment have we ?" The consequences
of the war had perfectly etfaced and
wiped out the limitations and restrlc-
tons of the constitution. The people,
therefore, require to be indoctrinated in
the principles on which the constitution
was established. If the constitution is
wiped out and Congress is without re-
straint. where are we? Having gov
ernment controlled by body Of men
without Limitation as to power, no con-
stitution to restrain them, but acting ac-
cording to their own will and interest,
we have
THE MOST oDIoUs DEsPorIsM
ever permitted to be established. Ra-
ther than accept such a body of men,
calling themselves Congress or Parlla-
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. [Applause:] If all the
power was to be eentered in one man,
let him be Just and good man. Let
il be some man whom it would be a
pride to call master. 1t had been said,
aWhy, johnson, you are insane on the