Year: 1866




10 have one say to a man who has assassination
brcilng in his heart ''there is a fit subject and
also exclaim that the "Presidential obstacle
must be got out OF the way, when possibly the
intention was 10 institute assassination. Are
those who want to destroy our institutions and
change the character of the Government
not satisfied with the blood that has been
shed Are they not satisfied with one mar
tyr! Does not the blood OF Lincoln ap-
pease the vengeance and wrath of the
opponents of this Government Is their
thirst still unslaked Do they want more
blood Have they not honor and courage
enough TO effect the removal of the Presiden-
tlal obstacle otherwise than through the hands
of the assassin i am not afraid of assassins
but If it must be, / would wish to be encoun-
tered where one brave man can oppose an
other hold him In dread only who strikes
eowardly. But If they have courage enough
10 strike like men, q know they are willing TO
wound, but they are afraid TO strike;) If nv
DIood is 10 be shed because i vIndicate the
Union and the preservation of this Govern
ment In its original purity and character let il
he so; but when it is DONE let an altar of the
Union be erected, and then, If necessary, Law
me upon 1t, and the blood that now warns and
anImates my frame shall be poured ont in a
last llbati0n as tribute to the Union, [great
cheerlng;I and let the opponents of this Gov
eminent remember that when il is poured ont.
the blood of the martyr will be the seed of the
church. The Union will grow. 1t will con-
tnue TO increase in strength and power, though
III may be- cemented and cleansed with blood


have talked longer, my countrymen, than
intended. With many Acknowledgements for





word In reference TO the amendments 10 the
Constitution of the United States. Shortly
after 1 reached Washington for the purpose OF
being maugurated Vice President 1 had a
conversation with Mr.. Lincoln. We We're
talking about the condition OF affairs and in
reference TO matters in my own State. L said
we had called convention and demanded a
constitution abolishing slavery in the State,
which provision was not contained in the
Presidents proclamation. This met with his
appreciation and he gave me ENCOURAGEMENT
In talking upon the subject of amendments to
the constitution, he said, sswhen the amend
ment 10 the Constitution now proposed is
adopted by three -fourths of the States should
be pretty nearly or quite done as regards
forming amendments TO the constitutional
there should be one other adopted" L asked
what that other amendment suggested was. and
he replied, 81 have labored to!preserye this
Union. i have toiled for four years L have
been SUBJECTED 10 calumny and misrepresenta-
non, and my great and sole desire has been TO
preserve these States intact under the Con-
sutution, as they were before; and there should
be an amendment to the Constitution which
would compel the States TO send their Senators
and Representatives TO the Congress Of the
United States" He saw as part of the doctrine
OF secession that the States could, if they were
prepared, withdraw their Senators and Rem
resentatives; and he wished to remedy this
evil by the adoption of the amendment
suggested. Even that portion of the Con-
stitution which differs from other organic
OF its representation. We now find the
position taken that States shall not be recog-
nIZeOs lnat we VIII impose taxation: and where
taxes are to be imposed the Representatives
elect from thence are met at the door and told
sNo; you must pay taxes, but you cannot par
ticipate in a Government which is to affect
you for all time Is this lust! Voices
mo" "Nor'l We see then where we are co.
ing. repeat that am for the Union. am
for preserving all the States. They may have
erred, but let US admit those into the council.
OF the nation who are Enthusiastically loyal Let
the man who Acknowledges allegiance to the
Government, and swears to support the Con-
SUtuuOD. The cannot do this m al
less he is loyal; no amplification of the oath
can make any difference: ii is mere detail
which L care nothing about) let him be un-
quesuonably loyal to the Constitution of the
United States and its Government, and will
ing to support il in its peril, and am willing
10 trust him. know that some do not attach
so much importance to the principle as do
One principle that carried us through the Rev
olutlon was, that there should be no taxation
without representation. i hold that that prin-
ciple which was laid down by our fathers for
the country good then is important TO its good
now. II IL was worth battling for then il is
worth battling for now. 1t is fundamental.
ana should be preserved so long as our Gov
ernment lasts i know it was said by some
during the rebellion that the Constitution had
been rolled mp as piece of parchment, and
should be put away, and that in time of re-
belllon there was no Constitution. But il is
now unfolding: it must now be read and ad-
Justed and understood by the American people,


come here to-day TO yindicate, in so far as
can in these remarks, the Constitution: to
save ii, as / believe. for il does seem that en-
dller encrOac0mpnt is to he
ed and as resist eDcroachments on the Gov
ernment, stand to-day prepared to resist en-
croachments on the Constitution, and thereby
preserve the Government. 1t is now peace,
and let us have peace. Let us enforce the Con-
stitution. Let us live under and by It's proyi-
sions. Let it be published in blazoned charac-
tiers, as though it were in the heavens. so that
all may read and all may understand il. Let
us consult that instrument, and, understand
ing Its principles. let us apply them. tell the
opponents OF this Government, and i care not
VI arfn fhnx
North or South, syou that are engaged in the
work of breaking up this Government are mis-
taken. The Constitution and the principles of
free government are deeply rooted in the Anne
rcan heart" All the powers combined: care
not Of what character they are, cannot destroy
the image OF Freedom. They may
Will be futile. They may as well
attempt TO lock up the winds or chain the
waves. Yes, they may as well attempt 10 re-
pearit, (as it would seem the Constitution can
be,) by concurrent resolution; but when il is
submitted to the popular Judgment they will
find 1t just as well to introduce a resolution re-
peaIlng tne law OF grayitation; and the idea of
preventing the restoration Of the Union is about
as feasible as resistance to the great law of gray
lty which binds all to a great common center
Ihls great law of grayitation will bring back
those States TO harmony and their relations to
the Federal Government, and all machinations
North and South cannot prevent it. GCheers
All that is wanting is time, until the American
people can understand what is going on, and
be ready to accept the view Just as il appears
tome. 1 would to God that the whole Amer
lean people could be assembled here day as
you are. i could wish to have an amphithea-
ter large enough to contain the whole thirty
millions; that they could be here and witness
the great struggle to preserve the Constitution
of our fathers. They could at once see what il
is, and how il is, and what kind of spirit
is manifested in the attempt to destroy
the the, great principles of free govern
for them and who is against them, and who
was for amehorating their condition. Their
opposers ceuld be placed before them, and
there might be aregular contest, and in the first
tilt the enemies of the country would be
crushed. l have detained you longer than
intended; but in this struggle am your instru-
ment. Where is the man or woman. in private
or public life, that has not always received my
attention and my time7 Sometimes it is said,
''that man Johnson is q lucky man" 1 will
tell you what constitutes good fortune: Doing
right and being for the people. The people in
some particular or other, Notwithstanding their
sagacity and Judgment are frequently under
rated or underestmated, but some how or
other the great mass of the people will find out
who is for them and who is against them. You
must indulge me in this allusion when say
can lay my hand on my bosom and say that in