Year: 1875

portion of the great speech of Andrew Johnsan, delivered in the United States Senate, on the sub- ject of Grants course toward Lou isiana. It will be continued from week to week until we give the whole speech.

 Mir. PREslDENT-I have been accustomed to speak in public for a number of years, sometimes in deliberativc bodies and sometimes before the people, but notwith standing this l confess that ap- pear before the Senate under great embarrassment. l fear that having obtained the floor on Sat urday night, and notice having been given that l should address the Senate this morning, an inn pression may have been created that cannot be realized, and espe- cialiy in those who. arc not ac- quainted with me. If such an impression or such an expecta- tion has been raised l do not think I will justify it, and they will be greatly disappointed on this occasion. It was not my in tention when the question was first brought before the Senate to participate in the discussion. My entrance in the Senate was of so recent a date and under such peculiar circumstances that I determined that I would not participate in any discussion during tho present session of the Senate; but things have taken such direction that I feel it in cumbent on me to say something in reference to the resolution now under consideration. And what I may say on this occasion I want it distinctly understood grows out of no party bias or partisan feeling, but it is upon the ground that the resolution proposes to GOV CT acts and measures which l think are clearly in violation. of the or ganic law ofthe land, and without authority. That being so, can not give my consent to the reso- lution, and will be compelled to vote against it..

 THE QUESTION NOT LEGITIMATELY

 BEFORE THE SENATE

 I think it proper that I should give some few reasons why can not give it my vote. In the first place, Mir. Prcrident, it seems to me that the consideration off reso- lution embracing questions of such grave importance is not le- gitimately before this body. In other words, it is not legitimate to consider it before q Senate con vened as this has been convened. understand that this Senate has been convened in extra session for the purpose mainly of acting upon executive busieess, not em- bracing questions of legislation, but simply to act upon business pertaining to the Executive De partment-the Senate being part of the treaty-making power, and also having to confirm and ratify or reject all nominations that may be made. This l con slider the legitimate business of the Senate during this session. But it is assumed now to have the Senate take charge of meas ures that look to legislation-that look far beyond this--and, if 1t IS legitimate to act, upon the meas ure now under consideration by this body, it is legitimate to con slider every act and every ques- tion upon which the administra- tion has acted since its advent into power. It would be as legit- innate to offer a resolution, for in stance, proposing to express an opinion in reference to reducing the expenditures of the govern ment, or with reference to { return to sound currency, and { long list of questions that migh

 be enumerated. It does not seen to me to be travelling mach further

 out of the record for the Execu

 tive to come forward and presume

 to act in defiance of the legisla lure than for the legislature t