The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1873-11-05
SPEECH OF ANDREW JOHNSON.


tel, the front Of which was decorated
with frgs and Chinese lanterns. An
immense crowd Of persons were pres
emf. After the music by the band,
calls were M q de for Mr.. Johnson,
when lie appeared and was received
with cheers.
He spoke of having made his first
appearance in Washington thirty years
ago; briefly alluded to the various ro-
litical 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 head of them through,
their relatives and friends. He wish
ed simply TO express the emotions If a
heart that never WAS false to friend
or to the country. Having briefly al
lultd to the period of his presidential
life, " hen he lived IN the midst of cal
umny and detrartion, and mendacions
ana unprinclplrd assaults the crowd
exclaimed, candy, you still live" to
which Mr.. Johnson replied, yes, thank
God, am still alive, and not only live
ph, sically, hut | am alive to the pre-
strvaliOn OF our institutions and the
best interests of the country. II any
one came here expecting him to ar.nr,
question or make an Oratorical dis
play, or exhibit fireworks, all he had
10 say was there would I've diSap-
pointmpmt; even if he had the mental
power he had not the physical strength
on the present occasion. What he
would say now would be 10y way of
inquiry, and he would ask hat kind
of government have we now? We
used TO have some idea that there was
constitution aud Il constitutional gov
erlment; aud as argued when first
made my appearance as a member of
Congress, the inquiry formerly vas as
to the powers conferred upon the gov
ernm"nt9 1t was thought long ago
there WAS Limitation to power, both
as to tue several States aud the general
government, under that Instrument
Such was the view OF Washington, the
father of his country, who was first in
peace, and first III war, and " no sacri-
feed bis ease and received 10 pay for
his services and so tnonght jefferson
anu those Great men who trained the
constitGion. When he first came to
Congress there we're two great par ties,
the Wing and the Democratic. HI.
wished to day the country was under
thr, control. He feared the people
would never again have two such par
ties. The difference between them was
merely lis-the Democrats contended
fur silict construction, while Ii t
Wings claimed little more latitude.
WhIe these parties were thus opposed
they both agreed IN the essential prin-
ciple that there was Il constitution, but
bow was 1t now, or within the last four
or six years. When measure was
haL.ht up i'll Cou.ress, and its consti-
tutinualty was questioned the reply
would I've IL effect, Damn the c0nsti-
tuition; We have got the numbers
aud wiIe he was here as q friend of
the cons tuition, battling and contend
in. tor its existence, the constitution
WAS faken from the archives, torn i'll
pieces aid trampled under foot. The
qnely comes up, what kind of gov
ernment have We? The consequences
Of The war had perfectly etfared and
wiped out the LIMITATIONS and restric-
tious of the constitution. The people,
therefore require to be indOctrinated
in the principles in which the consti-
tuition was established. If the cabsti-
is vii ed out and Congress is without
restraint, where are wei Having Il
government controlled 10y a body of
u,ru clthnnt limitation 90 to pnwar M