Year: 1866

y NMr 'e!' y" ''''''''' '''' WINCI
a.9Gl Int 3EiiMgp fi1 l.'TAN', ~
you for all time, Is this just2 No, no,
Then ] say let us admit, into the coun-
ellis Of the nation those who are tinlnis-
takably and unequivocally loyal; those
men who acknowledge their allegiance
to the government, and swear to sup
port the Constitution. It is all cm-
braced in that the amplifoation Of an
oath makes no difference. II a man is
not loyal, you may adopt whatever test
oath you please to prove his loyalty.


While the rebellion was going on, the
Constitution was rolled up as a piece of
parchment. If it was violated in some
particulars to save the Government,
there may have been some, excuse to
Justify it. But now that peace is res
tored and the war is over, we want a
written Constitution, and ] say that
the time has come to take the
Constitution down, rnroll it, and
understand its provisions. I came
here to vindicate the Constitution, and
to save it, for 1t does seem to me that
encroachment after encroachment Is
proposed. | stand to-day, prepared,
so far as / can, to resist these encroach-
ments upon the Constitution and Gov
eminent. tell the opponents of this
Government, l care not from whatquar-
ter they come--you who are engaged
in the work Of breaking up the Govern
ment, by amendments to the Constitu-
ton, that the principles of free govern
ment are deeply rooted into the Amcri-
can heart. All the powers combined,
| care not of what character, cannot de-
stroy that great instrument, the great
charter of freedom. They may seem
to succeed for a time, but their attempt
will be futile. They may think now
that it can be done bya concurrent res
olution, but when it is submitted to the
popular Judgment and the popular will,
they will find that they might as well


undertake to Introduce resolution to
repeal the laws of gravity as to keep
this Union from being restored. 1t is
Just about as feasible to arrest the great
law of gravitation, which binds I'LL to a
common centre, as that great law which
will bring back those States to their
regular relations with the Union. |
have detained you longer than intend.
ed. CA voice, Go on.) We are in a


great struggle. am your instrument.
Who is there that / have not toiled and
labored for? They say that man
johnson is q lucky man; that no man
can defeat me. ! will tell you what
constitutes good luck. 1t is due to
right and being for the people-that is
what constitutes good luck. Somehow
or other the people will find out and
understand who is for and who is
against them. I hcve been placed in
as many trying positions as any mortal
was ever placed in, but so far have
not deserted the people, and | believe
they will not desert me. What princi-
pie have violated? What sentiment
have / swerved from? Can they put
their finger upon it? Have you heard
them point out any discrepancy? Have
you heard them quote my predecessor,
who fell martyr to his country's
cause, as going in opposition or con-
tradiction to that I have donc9 The
very policy which l am pursuing now
was pursued under his administration !;
was being pursued by him when that in
scrutible Providence saw fit to summon
him, ] trust, to better world than
this. Is there one principle adopted
by him in reference to this resolution
that | departed from? Then the war
is not simply upon me, but it is upon
my predecessor. l have tried to do
my duty l know that some are en-
vious and jealous, and speak of the
White House as having attractions for
the President. Let me say to you, the
charms of the White House have as lit
tie influence upon me as upon any other
individual in the country, and much
less than upon those who are talking
abOutit


In conclusion, let me ask this vast
concourse here to-day, to come with
me, or l will 60 with you, and stand
around the Constitution of the country.
1t is again mfolded Let us stand by
the Constitution Of our forefathers.
Though the heavens fall though fac
tions should rage; though courts and
juries may come; though abuse and vi
tuperation may be hurled out in the
most virulent form, / mean to be found
standing by the Constitution, as the
chief ark of our safety; as the palla-
| dium of nur civil and orr RELIGIOUS lib.