Year: 1866

uDon the Constitution and Government !


1 tell the opponents of this Govern
ment, care not from what quarter they !
come you who are engaged IN the work
of breaking up the Government by
amendments of the Constitution, that
the principles of free Government are
deeply rooted in the American heart
All the powers combined, l care not of
what character, they cannot destroy that
great instrument, that chart of freedom.
They may seem to succeed for atime, but
their attempts will be futile. 49,.


They may think now that it can be
done by a concurrent resolution; but
when it is submitted to the popular judg-
ment and to the popular will, they will
find that they might as well undertake
to introduce a resolution to repeal the
laws of gravity as to keep this Union
from being restored. H


1t is Just about as feasible to resist the
great law of gsYitation which binds all to
a common center, as that great law which
will bring back these States to their reg
ular relations with the Union. l have
detained you longer than l Intended


We are in a great struggle. l am your
instrument. Who is there haEenot toll
ed and labored fort Where is the man
or woman, either in public or private life,
who has not always received my atten-
ton or my time? Pardon the egotism.
They say that man johnson is lucky
man that no man can defeat me.
will tell you what constitutes good luck :
1t is due to right and beingfor the people;
that it is what constitutes good luck.


Somehow or other, the people will find
out and understand who is for and who
is against them. 1 have been placed In
as many trying positions as any mortal
was ever placed in, but SO far l have not
deserted the people, and believe they
will not desert me. What principle have
lsweryed from2 They put their finger up
on 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 oppo.
sition or in contradiction to anythsng


have done9 The very policy which am


pursuing now was pursued under his adj


ministration was being pursued By him
when that inscrutable Providence saw tit


to summon him-I trust, to better world
than this. Where is there one principle


adopted by him, in reference to this res.


toration, that l have departed from ?
II"None, none" ~ --.


The very policy that am now pursu


ing was pursued by me under his admin
istration, / having been appointed by him
in particular position for that purpose
Then the war is not simply upon me


but it is upon my predecessor also.


have tried to do my duty. l know tina
some are envious and jealous, and speal


of the White House as having attraction
for the President. Let me say to you
the charms of the White House have a
/ little influence upon me as upon any in


divicual in this country, and much les
upon me than upon those who are talk
/ ing about it. The difference between tn!
| little that suffiees for my stomach and
back and more than enough, has NJ


charms for me. [


The proud and conscious satisfaction o
i having performed my duty to my coun
/ try, to my children and to the inner man
is all the reward 1 ask. IGreat applause.
/ In conclusion, let me ask this vast con
course here to-ds5-this sea of upturneC
! faces-to come with me, or / viii go witt


you, and stand around the Constitution
of our country. 1t is again unfolded-


Inc people are Lu1ltcu ~ HSaN anu vi
! derstand, sustain and maintain its proyis
1 ions. Let us stand by the Constitution
of our fathers, though the heavens fall
T though factions should rage, thougl
taunts and jeers may come, though abus
and vituperation may be poured out II
the most Virulent form, mean to b
found standing by the Constitution as tn
chief ark of our safety, as the palladium
. of our civil and our religious liberty.


Yes, let US cling to it as mariner cling
|, to the last plank when the night and tn
tempest close around him. Let US g
away forgetting the past and looking t
} the future, resolved to endeavor to restor
: our Government to its pristine purity
, trusting in Him who is on high, but VIII
, controls all here below, that ere long ou


Union will be restored, and we shall hav
peace, not only with all the nations
r the earth, but peace and good will anon


all parts of the people of the Unite
States. When your country is gone an
) you are without that peace, look out an
f you will find the humble individual VII
! now stands before you weeping over i
: final dissolution. .-rt l.