Year: 1866


to control the States within their proper
spheres. Any act which tends to destroy
the just and harmonious equilibrium OF the
government, is revolutionary and dangerous:
The General Government is possessed OF
limited and delegated powers, and cannot
constitutinnally usurp or interfere with the
reseryedrights of the States. The true States,
rights doctrine is, a strict construction OF
the Constitution, and rigid enforcement OF
the delegated powers of the General Govern
ment. Consolidation is almost as dangerous
to liberty as disunion, for it leads to despot-
ism, while the other leads to anarchy. The
advocates of either of those doctrines are
alike unfaithful to their constitutional obfl-
cations. Now that the rebellion is crushed,
there is strong tendency to the centraliza-
ton of power.


The only safety to our free institutions is
a strict observance of the Constitution, and
thus preserve the proper relations between
the General Government and the several
States. When this principle is fully recog
nized and acted upon, the Union will be
complete. Wien this great work is done,
the world will look with wonder and adml-
ration upon the magnificent spectacle, and
the lovers of liberty will every where rejoice
at the triumphant success of the Great
Republic.p And cannot the patriotic citizen
hope that time will bring forgetfulness of
past bitterness and that mutual forbear-
ance, kindness, and forgiveness, and the
sweet influences of our holy Christianity VIII
make us again happy and united people


Mr.. President, the members OF this Con-
vention are actors in this great work OF re-
Cancellation, and we will have to answer to
our people and posterity for our action. We
have difficult task to accomplish, but sin
cerely believe that if we will be actuated by
a proper spirit we can overcome. every OBJ
stacle.


God has not forgotten to be gracious to
our people in this time of gloom and disas-
ter. He has placed at the head of our COY
ernment a man just suited to the occasion. l
sincerely believe that Andrew johnson is an
instrument in the hands OF God to restore
peace and harmony to this dividelt and dis
tracted country. He is a representative man
of true American republicanism. By force
of intellect and public virtue he has risen
from the humblest walks of private life to
the highest position on earth. He now
stands forth as the greatest and most patri-
QUO Vi SttltCSiuell, lS StStlIiClt W
the proud title of =" Restorer of the Republic" +"
He thoroughly understands the nature OF
our government, for during his whole life it
has been the subject of his constant study
and the object of his. ceaseless love. In his
action towards the South he has been just
and generous. While we were in rebellion
he was our uncompromising foe, but now that
the government HIS triumphed in the con-
fiict, he is our magnanimous friend After
long and anxious deliberation he devised a
plan of restoration which he has submitted
to the American people, and upon their de-
cision hangs the destiny of free institutions
upon this continent.


The first principle which the President as
serts is, that the Southern States did not by
their attempted secession dissolve their con-
nection with the Union. He also asserts
that they are entitled to all the benefits and
privileges of the Union as soon as they are
restored to the healthful condition OF true
loyalty. The only question which ought
now to be determined is, have the rebe
States shown this true loyalty The Presi
dent was generous enough to indicate to the
States what he regarded as proper tests oi
loyalty.


First, the States must declare their ordi-
nance of secession null and void, and thereby
deny their right to secede from the Union
This has been done by the Southern States
but whether it was done under the force of &
stern necessity. or in a spirit of true loyalty
is still a doubtful and undecided question:
| We talk right, but our actions will speal
louder than words. The American peopl,
| are determined that this heresy of secession
shall be given up forever. 1t has been dis
turbing clement almost from the very founda
ton of the government. and it has produced
the bloodiest rebellionin the history of man
| The dead Confederacy must be buried beyonC
! the hope of resurrection, and we must ceas
to mourn over its grave. Without regret


consign it to its merited doom, and turl
with cheerful and loyal heart to the govern
ment of our fathers.


Mr. President, the political platform upol
| which the whole Southern people shoult
stand is, present loyalty-honest and sincere
This is the only common ground upon whicl
we can all meet and harmonize conhictin!
opinions, and it is the only position whic


we can take with truth and proper selfre
spect. 1t is useless to tell the North that


majority Of our people we're at all times loya


to the Union, for the striking facts of histor
will contradict such an assertion Our pee


pie were loyal and devoted to the Union ur


til the war began and assumed sections
| character, and then sixty thousand of GU


best and bravest men voluntarily rushed


arms, and for four years in the midst of pr


vations, difficulties and dangers, fought wit


a chivalric and stubborn valor which ha


never been excelled either in ancient or moo


ern times. A large majority of these mel


up to the very. outburst of the rebellion


would have bravely died beneath the oil


flag for the preservation of the Union. Br


the terrific storm of sectional strife for


time swept everything before it, and thel


was scarcely any organized opposition to til


madness of rebellion


Mr.. President, teel that I can with prt


priety allude to distinguished man VIII


was type of conservatism at the commence


ment of the rebellion. 1 refer to the Hol


George z. Badger, and have chosen him
an illustration because he is now gone, an


'honor's voice cannot now provoke the S


lent DUST or sooth the dull cold ear of death


He fought his last battle for the Union
February, 1861, and gained glorious tt
, umph. During long life the Union W,
Cue surlne ol HIS polltlcal ueVOtlOl, TO WnlC
he had carried as offerings the warmest affe
tions of his noble heart and the richest gif


of his splendid intellect. When he saw,


he believed, that hallowed shrine in ruin


he turned from it with sad heart and joi
, ed his fortunes with his own people who hs
. so long honored and loved him. He stru
gled bravely to maintain the principles
; civil liberty in the government of his ado
/ ton, but his hopes were gone, and soon Il
, "silver cord was loosened and the gold,
| bowl was broken at the fountain of b
| life. I wish he was here to-day in his Wig
and maturity, for he would be to us a gui