Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-27
I think that is a very good definition.

Such is the General Government OF the unite
States, and Of the several Stateso Of the America
Union.
DesPotism is the state where the powers Of II
government are not divided, but united IN n
hands Of single man, whatever may be n
ute he bears, emperor king sultan, pres
dent, etc.
A president can exercise despotie power
as well as anybody else, and this is th
definition of despotism: emperor, king
sultan, president" etc. We have might
near got that on us here. The Presiden
is exercising all the powers Of king in
military point Of view, turning 1t into
military government, government OF Gar
my" and ''poWer.n
A commonwealth is that form Of government
in which the administration Of public affairs
open OF common to all persons, without any spe
cialreEard 20 rank or property as dlstlng uishei
from monarchy or aristoeraey.
a republic, which Is another name for com
mOnWealth, is that form OF government in which
the administration Of affairs Is open to all tn
citizens. III another sense the term republic
res pUbEcd, signifies the state independently o
its form Of governments
In our Constitution we find that
The United States shall guarantee to ever
State in this Union a republican form Of govern
ment.
There is the great idea Of a republican
form of government laid down. common
wealth, a republic, a representative demOc-
racy. In fact these may be almost consid-
cred synonymous terms, for in
substance they are the same
a commonwealth, a republic. These are
the kinds Of government that were in the
minds Of the trainers of the Constitution
when it was adopted. Commonwealth
Where are we going, Mr.. President? Is
Louisiana a commonwealth as it now
stands? Or is her government maintained
b. military power and that through the
President of the United States? Is is not
his government? Is itnot military? What
does he do in regard to Arkansas? Send a
message to Congress with a threat, sIf you
do not do something, will" Il IS not his
place to interfere with either Of the con-
tending parties. If Democrats apply for
the exercise Of improper power, he has no
more right TO extend it to them than 10
anybody else, and if Republicans apply it
is equally his bounded duty TO abstain
from any interference whatever. These
States are commonwealth, they are re-
publican governments, they are representa-
tive demOcracies. The whole Union be-
ing composed Of the States, makes it a
representative government in one sense,
representing the States 9pd the States
people.
Let the Dictator Disband His LegiOns.
Now, sir, instead of passing the resolu-
ton which is before the Senate, how many
other subjects, if we are disposed TO take
up questions that are as legitimate as this
IS, that are as germane to constitutional
action as this can below many subjects
are there that the time and the attention Of
the Senate might be occupied with? Would
we 60 into all Of them and keep the Senate
here as a kind of town meeting TO express
opinions in reference TO all the various
questions that we think may agitate or
please for the time being? Why the desire
TO have the committal of the Senate to an
approval Of this proposition? Why are We
to do it? Instead Of passing this resolution,
would 60 to the Emperor Of the Empire,
and if l were permitted to prepare a resOlU-
ton that would be adopted would inC0TpO-
rate into it the substance of CatO's reply in
his last extremity when Decius, the EN-
bassadOr Of Cesar, approached him and
wanted him TO capitUlate, assuring him
that his name would be second TO none
except that Of Cesar; 1 would say to this
Emperor, would say to this dictator what
Cato said to the ambassador of Cesar:
Bid him disband his legiOns, restore the com
monwea to liberty.
Yes, I would say more; let him DO this,
and even l, humble as l am, and much as
! am opposed to his encTOachments, would
be willing to 60 still further in the language
Of Cato in his reply to Caesar; l would not
only ''Did him disband his legiOns, restore
the commonwealth to liberty, submit his
actions TO the public censUUe, and stand the
judgment Of a Roman Senate" but let him
do this and myself will mount the rostrum
and strive to gain his pardon from the
people, for the violations of the COnstitu-
ton Of his country and the transcendent
impositiOns that he has practiced on the
country. Yes, even l. humble as
l am, for the sake Of peace, for the sake of
concord, for the restoration Of prosperity and
harmony among this people, would be will
ing to see him subjected TO pardon by my
country and restored to favor, and l would
mount the TOStrum and strive to gain his
pardon from an insulted and an indignant
people. Yes, restore the commonwealth to
peace, prosperity and happiness; restore
this Government to what it was originally
designed to be; restore this Government in
fact and in practice to what it is in theory,
the home Of the immigrant, the asylum of
the OppreSsed-dO this, and il will become
again the home Of the immigrant and the
asylum Of the exile. where there is a home
and bread for all. God preserve it and let
it be saved would rather see this Capt.
tOl tumbled in ruins; l would rather see
these pillars falling against each other; l
would rather see it all wiped out of exist
ence than to see the Constitution of nv
country destroyed. Save the Constitution,
and in saving the Constitution YOU save
the country, and in saving the country you
restore it to peace, prosperity and happi-
ness.
What does the flag on the dome Of this
Capitol to-day, thar flies in the breeze, in
dictate? There is the image of the goddess
OF Liber Y. On that flag are the stars Of
the United States. Is what is read in the
character of that emblem true, OF is it
false goddess? Is il a flag that is hung out
merely to allure when the whole character
Of the Government is changed? save the
Constitution, bring the Government back
to it, or the time will cOme-GOd forbid it,
but l fear il will come-when the goddess
of Liberty will be driven from this land
staggering over fields Of blood aud carnage
10 witness the loss Of a representative gov
eminent. o, then, do MOI let US stop to
consider about party; "the country, the
whole country, and nothing but the COun-
try" should be our motto. Let us do this.
In the language of Webster, let this Union
be preserved, snow and forever, one and
inseparabe" Let US stand equals ia the
Union, all upon an equality. Let peace
and prosperity be restored to the land.
May God bless this people; may God save
the Constitution; and / know when give
Utterance to this sentiment it comes from
a heart that never yet beat false to the Con-
stitution or to the country.
Mr.. President, let US come up TO this
work forgetting what We have been hereto
fore. Let us lay aside our party feelings;
let us lay aside our personalities, and come
up TO the Constitution of our country and
lay it upon an altar and all stand around
resolved that the Constitution shall be pre-
served.
thank the President and the Senate for
their kind indulgence and attention.
AdvsTtissuseHtS Wndsr ti5 head sgiI be changed
I'm GIN 70 per ItSs for each fassTfroa.l
49, 49,.