Year: 1866

ter. The nation is in peril. We have
just passed through mighty, a bloody,
u momentous ordeal, and do not yet
find ourselves free from the difficulties
and dangers that at first surrounded us.


While our brave men have performed
their duties-both officers and men
turning to General Grant, who stood
at his right)-while they have won Iau-
rels imperishable, there are still greater
and more important duties to perform;
and while we have had their co-opera-
tion in the field, we now need their
support in our efforts to perpetuate peace.
So far rs the Executive Department of
the Government is concerned, the effort
has been made to restore the Union, to
heal the breach, to pour oil into the
wounds which were consequent upon
the struggle, and to speak in common
phrase, to prepare, as the learned and
wise physician would, plaster healing
in character and co-extensive with the
wound. We thought, and yet think,
that we had partially succeeded. But
as the work progressed, as reconcilia-
tion seemed to be taking place, and the
country becoming united, we found q
disturbing and marring element oppos-
ing us.


In alludins to that element 1 shall
60 no farther than did your Convention
and the distinguished gentlemen who
has delivered to me the report of its
proceedings. shall make no reference
to it. That, do not believe, the time
and the occasion justify. We have
witnessed in one department of the
Government every effort, as it were, to
prevent the restoration of peace and
harmony in the Union. We have seen
hanging upon the verge of Government,
as it were, a body called, or which as
sumes to be, the Congress of the United
States, but in fact Congress of only a
part of the States. We have seen this
Congress assume and pretend to be for
the Union, when its every step and act
tended to perpetuate disunion and make
a disruption Of the States inevitable.


Instead of promoting reconciliation
and harmony, its legislation has partak.
en- of the character of penalties, retalia.
ton, and revenge. This has been the
course and policy of one department of
your Government. The humble indi-
vidual who is now addressing you
stands the representative of another de.
: partment of the Government. The
manner in which he was called upon tC
occupy that position l shall not alludt
to on this occasion suffice it to say that
country, and being here by virtue of its
provision, he takes his stand upon that
charter of our liberties, as the great
rampant Of civil and religious liberty


Having been taught in my early life t,
hold it sacred, and having practised up


on it during my whole public career,
shall ever continue to reverence the
Constitution of my fathers, and to make
it my guide.


know it has been said, and must
be permitted to indulge in the remark
that the Executive Department of the
Government has been despotic and
tyrannical. Let me ask this audience
of distinguished gentlemen around m,
here to-day to point to vote ever gave
to speech ever made, to single act Of
my whole public life that has not been
against tyranny and despotism. What
position have l ever occupied, what
ground have / ever assumed, where il
can be truthfully charged that I failed
to advocate the amelioration and eleva
tion of the great mass of my country.
men? So far as charges of that kind
are concerned, will say that they are
simply intended TO deceive and delude
the public mind into the belief that
there is some one in power who is usurp
ing and trampling upon the rights ant
perverting the principles Of the Consti
tuition. 1t is done by those who max,
such charges for the purpose Of coverin.
their own acts. have felt it my duty
in vindication OF principle and the Con
stitution of my country, to call atten
ton to those proceedings. When w
come to examine who has been playing
the tyrant, by whom do we find tina
despotism has been exercised? As t
myself, the elements of my nature, tn


pursuits of my life, have not made me
either in my feelings or in my practice
aggressive. My nature, on the contrary
is rather defensive in its character. Blu
l will say that having taken my stan'
upon the broad principles of liberty ant
: the Constitution, there is not powe


enough on earth to drive me from i
Having placed myself upon that broa
platform, | have not been awed, dismay
ed, or intimidated by either threats {
encroachments, but have stood there i
; conjunction with patriotic spirits, souno
ing the tocsin of alarm when l deeme
: the citadel in danger. l said on pre-
vious occasion and repeat now that al
that was necessary in this great strue
8 gle against tyranny and despotism was
that the struggle should be sutficientl
audible for the American people to hea
: and understand. They did hear, AM
} looking on and seeing who the contest
ants were, and what that struggle wa
about, they determined they would set
. tie this question on the side OF the Con
stitution and Of principle. l proclaim
here to-day, as ] have on other occasions


that my faith is abiding in this grea
, mass of the people, In the darkes
1 struggle, when the clouds seemed to b