Year: 1868

projects, obliged to stand in the attitude Of o
mere spectator, whilst the invaluable time
of the nation has been wasted in causeless
assaults upon myself and office for the
benefit of party, cannot complain that
the people, while witnessing, have rot been
able to make my cause thoroughly their
own-the defence of the Constitution and
laws their own battle.


Until, however, the peoples representa-
tives will recognize more plainly the impe-
rative needs of the country by Tightening
the burdens of excessive and onerous tax
alton, and preventing successive imposts
upon the same article, beginning with its
crude state and following it through the
successive stages of manufacture to its final
use and cost, the people being thus made
to pay extortionately and ruinously these
accumulated taxes until the time appro-
priated in Congress to partisan schemes is
devoted more to legislating for the peoples
wants, the nation will have to be content
with the mere delusive hope and promise of
better times since mere party politics will
continue to be considered Of greater moment
than the study and practice of political
economy and the reduction Of tariffs, and
the making of President of more conse-
auence than the diminution Of national in
debtedness, and return to sound currency
and specie payments. With the people,
then, must rest the correction of whatever
is wrong in the respects indicated; 5; and If
their public servants find them careless OF
their responsibility, if the people will not
do their duty in seeing that the.c represen-
tatives perform theirs, no Exec 1tiEe will
full lu RI off
their rights, and few will care to incur the
apology consequent upon the attempt.


am now, however, as have ever been,
in the hands Of the people, and at their
disposal. My struggle for the Union and
the integrity of the Government began long
ago. Conscious of having honestly dis
charged my duties, and satisfied that the
contest in which have been compelled to
engage will in the end, ct least, inure to
the benefit, and indeed safety, Of constitu-
tional liberty and human rights, can we'll
afford, think, to look calmly on the pre-
sent, and await patiently the verdict of the
future, whilst know that the struggle for
the rights of the people and for Difference
to the Constitution is not yet over. Yet, be-
lieving that the late palpable failure to do
violence to that great instrument and the
Executive Office the worst that faction can
for the present do has been accomplished,
| would only, in concluding this brief state
ment of my views and feelings, express the
hope that in the selection by the Convention
of candidate for the Presidency, whose
duty it will be, if elected, to preserve, pro-
tect, and defend the Constitution, and to
execute the laws made in pursuance of its
provisions, the public good and leading and
well-defned principles will not be sacri-
feed to the mere purpose of party ascend
ancy. '5.lFE" .3Er.=


In conclusion, gentlemen, permit me tt
thank you most earnestly for the kind ex.
preston of your abiding confidence in me
rs public servant, and to assure you that
the approval Of the people is all that is re,
quisite to make me feel that the efforts
have made to restore the Union on the basis
of justice and Cancellation have not beer
altogether in vain. Leaving my cause and
myself in their hands, should the continu,
ance and the conclusion of the contest tt
vindicate and preserve constitutional 60
yernment be confded by them to abler and
more worthy hands, shall cordially acqui'
esce-as has been my habit-in the deci'
sion Of the American people.


| have the honor to be, gentlemen, very
respectfully yours, ANDREW JOHNSON.


To Messrs. T. ". Coggiu, James Gala
| tin, &C., New York city.