Year: 1869

His First Stump Speech in Tennessee-Five


Thousand Persons Gathered mt Knoxville to


Hear Him.


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. April 3, 1869.


At an early hour this morning the city was
thronged with the old friends OF Andrew Johnson
who assembled in groups and anXiously discussed
Andy's former triumphs. He was met at the train
by delegation at eleven O'Clock and escorted to
the Lamar House. He was introduced TO
crowd OF about 5000 persons by Mr.. Nelson, who
referred to Mr. Johnson in complimentary terms
alluding to his differences with prominent political
gentlemen present and to his early prosecutions on
account of his Unicn sentiments.


ae sa a 70 aoT s
tion. All he asked was fair examination Of
his record. He intended to devote the re-
to the vindcation W Of his official ci life land and
native State from the obloquy cast upon them. His
storm which had nearly wrecked the 'f ship of state
Since he had seen in the papers his own obituary he
supposed he might be regarded as one risen from
from uss the grave an should p0qs be believed Ths
government Is divided into three parts. and
tell you, as one speaking from the dead, there Is
danger in the government, and that danger is in
the legislative departments. The executive branch
cannot make laws, neither can the Judiciary but the
the legislative branch under the pretence OF
making laws, can trample upon the liberties Of
on until it takes away the liberties Of the peo-
pie; but l feel that 1 stood as a breakwater
to the government and arrested its progress for a
time. The time has come to talk about the first
principles Of the government Take away the re.
straints which have held back Congress and one
branch OF the government Will wipe out the other
two. Let me tell you here that wise and good
prince Is infinitely better than despOtic arbitrary
Congress Look at the -. acts orc Of Congress and see
the colonies In the early days Of this country.
Look at our condition; the writ OF habeas corpus
suspended, and when citizen appeals to the Su-
preme Court Congress takes from him the right Of
to the charge of treason to party, and asked when
he had been false. He then took up the accusation
about his being Moses, and asked If 1t was
not he who freed the negroes in Tennessee.
not to build Iup a miserable lazzaroni, to be
supported by the government. l have never de-
ceived the white men or black men. Let me say TO
you, as said to my old servant when came back,
'TOm the only difference between us Is that freed
you four years ago, and was only emancipated on
the 4th Of March; 80 you see am addressing you as
q freedman" As an evidence OF his loyalty he
showed paper signed by Governor BrOwnlow, ac-
knowledgng the receipt OF 1900 to help establish
loyal press IN Knoxville he told his hear
ers VINO never shed drop OF blood
/ would to God that the government had not the
credit to borrow q dollar to carry on war. Thank
The wounded soldiers cannot attribute their wounds
to me- He called upon all to cling to his compass
and stand by the constitution.


He spoke about two hours and was listened to
with close attention On retiring from the stand he
was heartily applauded and at once surrounded by
q group OF old friends In conversation he spoke
of Grant without reserve, characterizing him as q
bundle OF preudices with his 'gift enterprise Cabi-
net," az he called 1t. The people heartily glad
ceed In overthrowing the dominant party IN the
State