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THE DAILY EVENING TELEGRAPH. PHILADELPHIA, FRIDAY, MARCH 16, I860.
Dangers and Duties of the Dour,
HON. WILLIAM D. K EL LEY.
LECTURE
Delivered at Concert Hall, Last
Evening, Before the "Social,
Civil, and statistical Asso
ciation of Pennsylvania."
THE PERILS OP THE NATION-
Vm; Etc Kie Ete-, em Ete Ete.
Hon. William D. Keller, M. O. for the Fourth
District of Pennsylvania, delivered the fallowing ad
dress last evening, at Concert Hail, to very large,
brilliant, and enthuiiastio andience. the pakor
mi listened to with narked attention, and wai fre
quently Interraptod by applause. He spoke substan
tially a followi :
HISTORICAL PARALLEL.
Oatbi are not an adequato foindation for govern
snent. All history attests this fast. A republic which
a not Bantam' by the Intelligent apprehension of
ta vital principle, and their hearty aeooptanoe by
te people, la in constant dangor of overthrow. When
be snn wont below the horizon on the 1st of Dsootn
tier, 1861, 1 react) was, nnder tlie constitution of 1843,
republic It was Monday, the evening on whioh
the President, whose inaugural oath bound him to
maintain the republic, held hit reception at the Ely
see. There was nothing unusual In the number or
character of the guusts. Xhey were, probably, each
in a general way known to the others; but coald
each have looked into the hearts of a 1, and beheld
their secret working, tbo story of the night woald
sot have read as It does. The brilliant assemblage
embraced some oi the most loyal friends of the re
pnblio. Count de Moray was not seen by the guests
who first departed. He had manifested his devotion
to the drama, and the habitue$ of the theatres had
seen him among them early in the evening; but tho
company separated earlv, and at 11 o'clock thare
were but three guests left with Louis Napoleon. They
were De Moray, hiaupas. and St. Arnaud, and, at
tended by Colouel Beville, an orderly or snDordinate
officer of the President, they followed him to bis
cabinet. It was almost midnight, and the ropublio
still lived. Let as contemplate its dying hours. It
, villi not detain ns long, lor when the first beams of
the ascending sun lib the spires of Paris, the Em9.ro
was in embryo, and the republic, with the preoedmg
day, was a thing of the past.
Colonel Beville was soon despatched to the State
printing office with a sealed packot. It contained
the copy ot proclamations with whicti the. Btrcets of
Paris were to be placarded before daylight and the
outgoing mails burdened. One of them asserted
that the Assembly (the Congress of Franco) was a
liot-bed of plots and conspiracies; aunonnoed its
dissolution, and placed Pari and the twelve snr
rounding departments nnder martial law. Alont 12
o'clock word was bronght tlio conspirators that a
battalion of gondarmio surrounded the printing
cilice, and that under the supervision of tho director
the overawed printers were putting the proclama
tions in type. Tho President executed lotters re
moving his Cabinet and appointing Moray to the
tk'Cretnryshlp of tho Interior. He had some days
bofore recalled from Alireria St. Arnaud. the John
li. Floyd oi France, ami mado him Minister or
Secretary of War, the officer whose order, within the
zange of military duty, was law to the gonerals of
the republic At two o'clock St. Aruand signed
sn order that bodies of troops which he bad put
under command of his corrupt partisans should
occupy the garden of the Taileriei, tho Qua!
l'Orsay, the Place de la Concorde, aad be so posted
in the vicinity of the Elysee as to protect ita inmates
if necessary. Mnupns, prelect of the police, in
another apartment held separate interviews with a
number of commissaries, and, nnder the pretext
that he apprehended an arrival of foreign refugees
made arrangements lor the simultaneous seizure and
incarceration ot seventy-eight ot the meat distin
guished generals, most trustworthy officers and
menu era of the Assembly (Congress), and most
courageouB and most eloquent popular orators of
France. With the execution ot this order the reo
lution was accomplished. When day broke the
army was wltbout generals wh j loved the ropublio
more faithfully than La and Jobneon love ours, and
the Assembly (Congress) wus without tho officer to
tiring it to order or a tearless representative ot tho
people to demand that the Constitution be main
tained and treason made odious by the punishment
of conspiring traitors.
r0 SUDDEN OVERTHROW OF THE GOVERNMENT
APPREHENDED.
The American people need apprehend so sudden
overthrow ol their Government like this. I he power
of France was in Paris; it flowed thenae to the
liounilaiies of the republic It is not so with us; In
our country It resides equally in every organized
political community throughout our limits. Wash
ington, not the centre of political power, is the mure
focus at which the people's will concentrates and ex
presses itsell. "We, therefore need not approhond a
coup d'etat or sudden overthrow of the Government,
Garrett Davis, who aptly illustrates the loyalty
which commends men to the confidence ot Andrew
Jobnton, may, from the floor ot tbo Senate, sound
the temper of the people on the subject, aad in ac
cordance with ha reeoraed oath, press such a sag
trestiou upon the President; the amnestied Keoels
uid jubilant Copperheads may borrow bis own
seditious langaage and denounce Congress as an
irresponsible "Central Directory," and tueir orgaas
say, as did the Chicago Times, that
'If the rump Congress shall not speedily abandon Its
eeditious, revolutionary, and lawless practices ; li it shall
persist in excluding the representatives of eleven States
lrom their rlghtiul seats, nail in exercising the powers of
the Congress of ihe United Males, we do not hesitate to
tleoluro ill at it will become the solemn duty of President
Johnson to constitute himself the Cromwell oi the time,
and dissolve the rump by military power." '
WHAT WB BATS TO FEAR.
But they who defended Mrs. Surratt and her co
conspirators, who justified the conduct of Wirz, who
mourn the martyred Booth, and proclaim their
belief that tho providence, dark and inscrutable as it
was, which transferred the executive power of the
country liom the hands of Abraham Linooln was
beneficent one, and who are now the familiars of his
successor, doubtless advise him to adopt this course ;
and lus many new counsellors, chosen from the per
jured but acute leaders of the late Rebellion, will
trouble bim with no suggestions ef dissent from a
techemo so entirely coincident in purpose with the
lawless and inhuman war they waged acainst ns,
lint this is not among our dangers. The Presidont,
though be is sometimes iudiscreot, is more adroit
than these advisers. - The foundations of oar insti
tutions are too broad, too well apprehended,
and too btphlv . appreciated to permit us to
consider this as a practical danger. Ihe sources
of our anxieties are more subtle. What we
Lave to lcar is not tho change la tne form
of onr Government, but infidelity to it prrn
ciples by those who administer it. Let
me sot be misunderstood. I have no apprehension
of serious contcqnences. Mr faith in the people
knows no douet. ihey understand their rights and
will maintain tho independence of the popular
branch of Congress aau avert this danger. Jfce
intelligence of the American people is not the sVU
jeet of Idle declamation. Whatever may have been
the impression in hurope on this point prior to Mr.
calling for sovemy.tivo thousand troops, all men now
know that the American people understand their
institutions in general and in detail; that they
cherish the spirit, and are ready to peril property
and life in their detruse. But we must not forgot
that that which violence and open assault cauuet
accomplish is sometimes achieved by fraud and de
ception; and herein is tho source, ot all our dangors.
A subtle, though narrow intollect. an elaatie con
science, intense egotism, and tho control ot almost
boundless patronkge.mako'a combination that cannot
be despised in any controversy.
LOVE Of OFFICE MOT PECULIAR TO AMBKICAKB,
The love of honor or emolument is not peculiar to
the American people; nor docs it, as satirists, cy
nics, and the victim of ott-recurring disappointment
deciare, spring Jrom vanity or overweening love oi
elf. Ihe multiform ana Bountifully endowed chari
ties in which our country pre-eminently abounds;
the storv of the Sanitary, the Christian, the Union,
and the Frtedmen's Commissions, through tbo handii
of which to manv tens of millions of voluntary oon
tributieufi have flowed; the nittiostio march ef ou.
eivilization across tho continent, and the rapidity
with which onr country is interlaced with costly
works of improvement, attest the lact that theAtae-
man people, whe dig and delve most assiduously,
apply least of their ga ns to tbn gratification ot
purely selni-h purposes, and recognize ososi fully the
truth that man holds tue treasure which (iod cou
ncil's to him a) trustee for his Jeebler tellow-inea.
True it is that base men seek place, but none will
deny that every revered name would bo stricken
from the scroll ot sages, statesmen, and philanthro
pist, if doubt and suspicion attached to all who have
beta willing ,to noounter the dangers aad toil of
publio position In times of trial, and In the dark
hours of too struggle lor a great cause have been
cheered by the hop that good moa might love them
and posterity honor their name.
POWER Or FATRONAOB.
Nevertheless, tho patroaage of enr Government is
h power the people should estimate in calculating
the magnitude of a eontost between thent and the
Executive ef the country. The president Is tho
fountain of political honor. To him belongs the
nomination ef the thoasands of olfieors upon our
civil list, and of tho army and the navy. U minis
ters control eontraeit involving enough millions of
dollars to make them prize eagerly sought by men
whose counsels are not without weight in social and
business circles, as well as in the nolitteal combina
tions of the day. The agent of the Executive tra
verse every mail rente, are found ia tho thoniand
post-towns of the country, swarm la our port of
entrv. and may be said to be omaipresent a the im
perial police of France, but wear no uniform or I
they may bavo a secret reason for tbe political faith
they exprcsn, or are suborned against the pabUc
good.
A CONSTITUTIONAL Alt RirDaTENT, WANTED,
I pause to remark ia this cennetiloa that this now
Is and ever will be a sourc of danger, and to add
that, though President Johnson, who, when a mem
ber ot the kfenate, proposed In one brief session
nine emendmeats to tho Constitution, now regards
that instrument as perlect in all its proportions, aad
depiecalea the suggestion of an amendment as oal
cuiated to impair its sacredness In publio esteem, it
will ono day be the duty of tbo people so to modify
it as to provide that subordinate offices shall bo bold
for a definite period, and tbas remove from the abio
late control of the Executive the constantly in
creasing number of employes of the trove rnmont.
When the soldiers who were wounded In following
and maintaining the flag of oar country , and who
now, in 4iu of the lnerative baslnea they aban
doned for that parpoee, are holding clerkships and
other positions under the Government, liivo to give
plaoe to those who foutrht tho great eontost against
the supremacy of that flag, a the logic of tbe Presi
dent's new positing will necessitate, this point will
attract the attention of tbe publio, and, until then,
I pass it.
THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEH TIIE EXECTTTIVE AD
, THE PEOPLE.
The content now prevailing is not between tho
parties indicated by the Presidont on the 22d of Feb
ruary, when within tho borders, il not at tho heart
ol tbe enemy's country, he pointed out as those upon
whom turbulent taction mi b lit justifiably inflict its
horrors, the honored Senator lrom Massachusetts,
and the brave old man whoso indomitable courage
and energy gavo Pennsylvania, in spite of an oppos
ing majority of the peoplo, her public school system,
and who, through a lne stretching berond the
allotted three-score years and ten, has never swerved
lrom principle or tailed to befriend tho poor, tho
ignorant, the oppressed, and tbe otherwise friend
less, who Is venerated by all truo men, and whose
name will be honored by tho toemlng millions of the
people ot our State. ' The people understand that
controversy is not between Congress and the (Exe
cutive, but is between tho Executive, and themselves;
the question being the maintenance of the rights of
that co-ordinate branch ot the Covernmont through
which the voice of the people is beard in the govern
ment of the nation. The attempt ot tho President
is to coerce the popular will. Of the result I have no
doubt. They who have involved themselves in three
tlifTTsand millions of debt, and maintained fierce
war until there was one dead in evory house, will not
fail now to maintain that for which they mado these
sacrifices. It is only necessary that the issue should
be fairly stated and fully elucidated to overwliolm
him, who, In order that his power may bo absolute
during tbe brief term w hich, under tiie Constitution,
he is to hold the reins, would subvert the principles
Of tbe Constitution. To that end I propose briefly to
examine tbe career ot the present accidental Presi
dent of the United States.
mB CABEEB Or ANDREW JOHNSOX EXAMINED.
lie was for a time Military Governor of Tennes
see, and owes his elevation to the Vice-Prosideucy to
tbe fact that he did not retire from the Senate with
those with w hom ho had previously co-operated,
and to his conduct and public utterances while in
that office Though his earlier career had been
creditablo to him as a citizen, and had secured him
the confidence of tho people of his State, there had
been nomine in it to attract in a spec'al degree the
affectionate attention of the oountry. He had never
borne arms in tho country's service; and though
vehement in declamation and much given to speak
ing, he was not distinguished as an orator. Apart
from his support of tbo Homestead Bill his speeches
and bis votes wcro all in tbo interest of what be was
pleased to regard as his section, tho sluveholding
States of tho country, and tbe party lor which, alasl
bis affinities aro now more powerful than his patriot
ism. Even those who now surround him, and to
Whom ho gives his confidence, prominent among
whom is our we'.l-known townsman, Hon. Tlios. li.
Florence, can hardly havo persuaded him that ho
owed his election to the Vice-Presidency to these
tacts; yet ho is exercising ,all the functions ot his
cilice as though duty and gratitude required him to
look to the antecedents alone lor a key to the
wishes, purposes, and convictions of tho people who
opened tho possibility of bis present position to
him; and bus not hesitated to announce more fla
grantly than John Tyler ever did tho purpose of
ukiugtho patronage of tho Government for the pro
motion ot his insane ambition, by saying to a citizen
of Pennsylvania, and in the presence of one of her
ltcprescntiativcB, that he "holds the oilioes at lus
disposal lor bis friends and tbe friends of his
friends." Let us then refer to his oonduot and ro
Dtarks while military govornor of Tennessee, in
order to ascertain wliat were the pledges upon
which ibo peoplo nominated and elooted him, and
how far his manner of redoeming them justifies
popular confidence in til honor and veiacity.
BE FATOB0 WHOLESALE CONFISCATION.
During 1SC8 he t'ice visited Washington and
conferred witlr m. y members of both Houses of
Congress, on among other topics, the necessity of re
pealing the clause ia the Confiscation act which
provides that it should not "be so construed as to
work a forielture of the real estate of the offouder
beyond bis natural lito." I have a vivid recollec
tion ol the earnestness ot his manner in the confer
ence with which he honored mo. Much ot his lan
guage vtaa moie forcible than elegant. 1 couldsnot
with propriety give a verbatim report of his re
marks; but this I may say, that he pressed upon ran
most earnestly the assuranco that it we permittod
the war to close without having provided for tbe
confiscation and division, by grant, to discharged
soldiers, or sale, of the large landed estates ot tho
aristocracy In Tennessee, we would fail in our duty
to the republic, and eacrillco the white Union men
ol that Stato, as well as the lrcedinen. "Sir," said
he, "ou cannot confiscate under that law, and if
yon permit those people to return and assume tbe
commanding social position which the possession of
their estates will give them, you will not punish a
prominent traitor in Tennessee, and will make it
necessary for the Union men to abandon their pro
perty and the State; tor it yon attempt to try one
oi them by a jury of tbo vicinage no will be acquit
ted by sympathizing lncnds, and the procuung
officer and witnesses will bo bung from the branches
ot the nearest tree to the ourt-house door." 1 do
not mention this incident tor the first time. The
statement is doubtless familiar to many of you, for
when, alter bis nomination, I was interrogated hy
earnest men who had learnau to oouot evory oouiu
era slaveholder, and feared that the nomination of
Andrew Johnson wiu a mistako, 1 auswored byre
porting the interview, and in my many addresses
before tho people during the campaign frequently
reforred to it.
TBE BECORD 01 HfB I'lBLIf ACTS.
It were bettor, luewev'er, to appeal to the record
of bis publio acts, and, in doing so, 1 shall oouiiuo
inv allusions to facts mentioned in a sketch, wuich,
as 1 was the follow-boarder ot its accomplished
author while engaged upon it, I could not avoid
knowing, had tho ceuellt if Mr. Johnson' personal
supervision.
Ike nomination rf Andrew Johnson as Military
Governor of 1 ennesjio w. continued by tho Senate
on tho Cth of March, 18U2, and ht entered upon the
duties of Lis oflico ono week tbereaitor. Ono of nis
first official ucts was to publish "an appeal to tbe
people," tho following extract from which Is a
startling c mmentai v on tho doctrine announced in
bis veto ot the trecdinen'e Bureau bill, wu.cti, while
admitting that it is "the unquestionable right of
Congtrs to judge, each House lor i i soli, of the elec
tion rtinrjaS una qualifications ol its own t embers, "
denies ibo nsbt ot tho re;-reeotutives of tho people
and the Mptts.in concurrence wnh the t'rositieiit, to
pass u.n tlie character of tho constitution under
which such repre-eniutives have been chosen, and
by which States the Govorurnont of which have
been overthrown propose to resume ihcil practical
relations to the Union. "In buoii a lamentable
ci isis," sin J be, "the Government ot ti.o United
Mu'.cs cnr.ld not be unmindful of its bisrti co -titu.
tiot.al oulignt h.us to uurantee to evory State in this
Union a rej ubiieon form ol government, tin obliva
tion which every Ststo lies a direct and immediate
int.) est in Laving cbeorved towards every other
btttto." , .
BE ATUtfPTfl A?:D IMPBHON8 TRAITORS),
Before the month cl March had passed ho ordered
the Mayor and I ouncil oi Kashvnlo to take the oath
et alleginrire, and vacated thslr otiiees and sent
them ad to tho veBttomiurv because tbey reiused to
otey tho order. "The pros throughout the Suite,"
says Mr. frank flooie, "was piaoed under proper
supervision, and it as soon understood that sunken
or written treason would subject tuo otlendora to
Juttice. in April the editor of the Na-hville Manner
was arrested anu hi uuceixuphreHsed." So heartily
did Ci vernor Jrbnsontben seem to abhor treason
that bo an est, d and imprisoned Judge Guild fcr
hat oiicsse. On the 0th of May he issued a pro cl
mation la which he recited that " person un
friendly to the Government of me United States"
were "going at large throagb many of tbe counties
of the State, arTcatiag, maltreating, aad plundering
Union cl'irem," and aanounced " that la every
lntanoe in which a Union man is arrested and mal
treated by the raauraoding band aforesaid, five or
mora Kebals, irom the most prominent in the imme
diate neighborhood, shall b arrested, tmprisonod,
and otherwise dealt with a the nature ot the case
nay require; and farther, la all oases where the
property of citizen loyal ta the Government ot the
United t tales i taken or destroyed, full aud ample
remuneration shall bo made to them out ot the pro
poity of such Babels in the vielnity as have sympa
thized with and given aid, comfort, Information, or
eneouraireMent to. tho parties oommttting such de
predations," Hlfl HATRED OV TBBABOR.
The people of Nashville electod a tseeossloaltt to
tbe office of Judge of the Circuit Court, and he gave
biro hia commission; "hat," says bis biographer,
"fearing that he might abnso tho power thus vested
in htm, ordered his arrest, and sent him to tho peni
tentiary on tho same day." Time will not permit
me to none a tithe of the acts by which he etraeed
the luspictoa that hi apparent devotion to justice
and the Union resulted from a personal controversy
between him and the more aristocratic leader of the
Sonth, and satisfied the loyal people of the eountry
that he hated treason because it was a crime, and
would ase any power with which they might invest
h m to punlib the leaders ot the Bebellion, and pro
vent them from ever acquiring weight or Influence
in the councils of tho nation. Indeed, one cannot,
when rtading bis remark accepting the nomination
for Vice-President, or those he made to tho colored
people of lennessoe, doubt that each was for a time
Li own belief; for, a Kmglake said of another:
"It Is believed that men do birn wrong who speak
of him as void or all lileaot truth, lie understood truth,
and In conversation be habltu a lly preferred It to false
hood hat his truthlulness (ihoagb not. perhaps, con
trived lorsucb an end) sometimes hecauio a mean of
deoeptloni because, after generating confidence, It
would suddenly break down nnder the pressure of a
strong motive. He could maintain triendly relations
wtih a man, and speak frankly and truthiully tohlm tor
seven years, and then suddenly deoelvo hlra. Of course
men rinding themselves ensnured by what appeared to
be henestv in his character, were naturally inailned to
believe that every semhlanc of a good quality was a
mask; but It Is more consistent with the principle of
human nature to believe that a truttifulnest continuing
for seven years was a genuine remnant of virtue than
that It was a mere preparation for falsehood."
WHAT DE SAID ON ACCEPTING) THE NOMINATION,
Let me. In this connection, briefly remind you how
expllolt hrwa when acceptiartue semination, by
some extracts li t m bis address :
"Tbe question Is, whether man Is capable of self gov
ernment. I bold, with Jefferson, that government was
made tor the convenience of man. and not man for gov
ernment. Tbe laws and constitutions were designed as
Instruments to prooaote bis welfare. And hence, from
this principle, 1 conolude that governments can and
ought to be changed and amended to coniorm to tue
wants, to tbe requirements and to the progress of the
peoole and the enlightened spirit of the age.
' And tet ma any that now in tbe time to secure these
fundiimental principles, wbilo tho land Is rent wita
anarchy and upheaving wita the throes of a mighty re
volution. TV bile society is In this disordered state, and
wo are seeking security, let us tlx the foundation of
the Government on principles ot eternal justice which
will endure ior all time."
Again :
"But in calling a convention to restore tbe State, who
shall restore and re-estabiisU lit bhah the wan who
gave his Influence and bis mentis to destroy the Govern
ment l1 Is be to iiarticipatc in tbe great work, ot reor
ganization F l- hah he wno brotiuut this misery upon tlie
State bo permitted to control its destinies? if this be
so, then all this precious blood of our brave soldiers and
officers, so freelv poured out, will have been wsntonly
spilled. All the glorious victories won by our noble
armies will go for nought, auu all the battle-fields which
have been sown with Lead heroes during the ltubullleu
will have been made memorable In vatn.
"Why all this carnage and devastation? It was that
treason mlt;ht be put down and traitors punished. There
tore 1 say that traitors should takoat ack. teat in the
work ol restoration. If there be lint five thousand men
in Tennessee loyal to the. t onstitutlon, loyal to freedom,
loyal to Justice, those true and faithful men should cen
tre! the woik of reorganization and reformation abso
lutely, I say that the traitor has ceased 10 be a citizen,
and in Joining tho Rebellion has become a public enemy,
lie torieltcd bis right to vote with loval men when be
renounced bis citizenship and sought to destroy oar
Government. We say to the most honest and industrt
ous lorelpner who comes from England or Germany to
dwell among us. and to add to tlie wealth of the coun
try, 'lie lore you can be a citizen you mast sta here for
live years.' If we ore so caution about foreianotd,
who voluntarily renounce their homes to live with us,
what should we say to tbe traitor who, although born
and roared among us. has raised a parricidal hand
against the Government which always protected bhn?
Hy ludgment is that he should be suDjeeted to a severe
ordeal betore ho is restored to citizenship. A follow who
takes the oath merely to save bts nropurty, and denies
the validity of th e oath, la a perjured man, aud not to he
trusted. He ore tkoso repenting Kobe Is can be trusted,
let them hi Inn forth the fruits of repentance. He who
helped to make all these widows and orphans who
draped the streets of Naihvlilo in mourning shoald
sutler for his great crln.e. The work Is in our own
bands."
And a train :
'-Ah I these Kebel leaders have a strong personal reason
for Holding out. to save their necks irom the haitert and
these leaders must feei the newer of the Government I
treason must he made odious aad traitois must be pun
ished and impoverished. Their great plantations must
be seized una divided Into small lnrins aad sold to hon
est. Industrious men. Tbo day tor b'oiectlng the lands
and negroes of these authors of rebellion Is past. It is
high time it was. I have been most deeply pained at
some things which have come under my observation.
M e Ret men In command who, under the Influence of
flattery, inwning, and caressing, grant protection to tho
rich traitor, while the poor Union mau stands out In the
cold, often unable to Kt a receipt or a voucher lor his
losses Tbe traitor can get lucrative contracts, while
the loyal latin is pushed aside, unable to obtain a recog
nition." ANDREW JOHNSON ON NEOBO EQUALITY.
But time flowed on, and as the election approached
be became more emphatic. It was to he held the
Mi oi November, and on the evening ot the 24th of
October, the colored peoolo of jNshvillo and the
vicinity paraded in great numbers, bearing torches,
tranB sreiicic?,and hanners, and Governor Johnson
found it convenient to meet and addioss them. War
was sti l flagrant, and the Southern aristoerucy were
not tc be icprettntud In tbo electoral college, the
members ot which were to rote lor him or Mr. Pen
dleton as Vice-President. But the people ot tbo
North, who believed that justice, equal and exact
justioe to all, was tbe only siea by w men the Rebel
lion con d be conquered, would vote, lie had been
a Democrat and a slaveholder, and was then pene
trated with tho belief be has since expressed, that
the rud cIb in tho Convention had opposed his nomi
nation on that account. It is possible that this
knowledge mav have induced him. eagerly am
bitious and familiar with political quantities
as be was, to make the address, or have given
tone to his remarks. But be tnat as It may,
it is cerl-iin that his words wore not cola
and contemptuous as those which, a Presi
dent, he utteted to tbe few returning bravoi
who represented a regiment that had boon thrice re
cruited because it had been thrice decimated, in
Latt e. Pat let him tipeak for himself. "JNogro
equality, iudecd." cried he; "why pass aay uay
a.ong the sidewalk of High street, where these ar.s
tocrais more particularly dwell these aristocrats
whoko sons are aow in the bands of guerilla and
cut-threats who prowl aad rob and murder around
our city pass by these dwellings, 1 say, and vou
Will sc as many mulatto as nmro Children the
former bearing aa unmistakable resemblance to
their aristocratic owners. Colored men of Ten
nessee, this, too, shall ceaso. Tour wives and
daughter tliall no longer be d lagged into a eanou
Linage, compared to which polygamy is a virtao, to
tatisiy the brutul InsU of slaveholders and over
seer. Ihenceiotth the sanctity of God's holy
law of mnrrize shall l respected in your persons,
and the great State of Tonnessee shall uo more give
her sanction to your degradation aud your shame."
And bavins', in language which you all remember,
promised to be their Moses, lie added:
'I speak now as one who fee's the world bis country
and all who love equal rints his tricnus. Ispei-k, too,
as a citizen oi Tennessee. I am here on my own sol;;
and here 1 mean to stay ardfli-lit this buttle oi truth and
Justice to a triumphant end. Kehellion and s'avery shall
br Ged'a good help, no louoi po lute our bta e. Loyal
men. whether vhiio or black, sli.il alone control her
destinies; and when this strlie In which wo aro engaged
Is past, 1 trui.t. I know, we shall have a better state ol
tlilupa, and shall all reloloo that hottest labor reaps the
Iruli of Its ovn Indusiry, and that everv man bus a lair
chance in tha race of ihe." '
HU aTAITULEEBKEBS KXFOPED BY OOVf.KNOH KBOWN
LOW. How faithless this man, who now claims the confi
dence ol bis abused lel.ow-cittzeas, hus been to all
these pledges, let thai, uniultcr ug patriot, William
G. Brown'ow, Governor ot Tenuosso, tell, I have a
lettfr from bnu, written just one week a?o. It is a
loorlul commentary on th uutruBtworthiiicsa ol this
man' rr est sacred pledprs. 1 hat yea may hear ex
actly what he tays, 1 Mill rcau it ail, item dtte to
signature:
"KXECKTIVa DliP.MlTMZliiT. K ash vii.t.K, Menh 8. 1W16.
Iton. William h. Kcih-y, House oi Uepreseiiiativis
Tear Hri Knciosed I send vou a copy ot my proclama
tion, troiu w bleb you v ill leam that a faction ot t'v only
one UlserKunlzers bavn. In tho truo spirit ot the late
lulijuiteus hebenloii, withdrawn, and reduced our House
ot Kt presentntlves below a uuoruin. 1 need not a id
hull er remarks, as the proc uiuatlon fully discusses
the points at insuo.
On Friday last the election of county ofltcsrs' too
place throughout the Htate. such' as c erK-i, ebcritlH,
Juitices. trustees, and tax collectors, and in Allddle aud
AVest Tennessee tbe Hebela have made a cienn sweep,
turning the Union men out and electing their own
candidate, who electioneered lor office ou the ground
thut they were ltot.els, aud bad either Berved in the
Kebel army, or In some other capacity had given their
biiiuence to the cause of ikksow and Ira l,rt.
When blclunund leli mt Lee surrenderee. Rebels,
and uaany vtbo sympatblztd with them, were Very re
apee ful to Vnlon men. iten obsequious) guhty col
prlts. tbey evidently feared arrest aud Duulshuieut, and
fell that to be jeit aleno aud allowed to live, waaal
tbey had a right to exprct Bat, since pardon have
been se multiplied and no nan haa been punlsned, they
have everywhere become Impudent and detlant.untll,
la most conn ilea in Middle and West Tenuessen.tlt t
disreputable to have been a Union maa, or, aa a Snath
em man, to have served In tne Union army. And mat
ter are growing worse i the reconstructed traitor
openly cursing loyal men, and threatening that they
have the resident on their side, while wo all feel that
the Presluenfi policy Is ralnoos to as.
When I rut the President In nomination at Baltimore
for the Vice-Presidency. I telt that he had so thoroughly
committed hlmnell to the Union cease, mid had beeu e
badly treated by the Rebels. It wa impossible for htm
ever to get round to them again I but 1 give him up a
lost to the Union party, and as th man who I to head
tlie Rebels and IJeinocraU. T.very Robei In all thia
conntrv, every MoOlel an man. and every ex-guonli
chlet, are lend and enthusiastic In prals of the Presi
dent. Tbe men who but a lew months sine were curs
ing him lor an Abolitionist and traitor, and wishing bim
executed, are now tor executing ail who dare to oppose
his poilcy . or even donbt Its success.
There I twice tbe amount of bitterness and Intole
rance Imtlie Mouth, t-day, towards tbo Union and
everyth ng Kotthern. than there was at tbe time of
Lee s surrender A huse of the Union men, of th Radi
cals In coniresa and self asoamed superiority on the
art of the foiitbern chivalry, bavo risen to such a
elht that loval men cannot travel on a steamboat, or
In a railroad ear, without helm lnsnlted. As It was dur
ing the irar so it la now; all oonresdons from the North,
or irom the majority in Congress, are regarded ae evi
dence of fear; all the old Kebel paners ot lwil, and
many new ones, are In full blast, threatening Congress
and the North wltb ultimate vengeance, and boasting of
Bout hern prowess.
Tbo most popular men In the largest portion of Ten
nessee, to-dtw-, are Hie am most distinguished for their
bostllltv to the North, and what thev are pleased to call
the ('Radical Oongree,' aad they are the clius of men
whe are selected to flilonice. na the late couaty elec
tions show. 1 be same Is tiu of tho entire (South, only
tnre tot la a word, they are resolved on break lug up
the Government and they expect to oairy out their
schemes lltr. vyhtfte balloi-box, and bow men ot cander
and Intelligence can represent to em as loyal aad kindly,
d If posed fs a mystery to me. even In this age ot rcoelllon
aud treaebery. I do not understand them, and my op
portunities ior learning their temper and, ultimate pur
pose are as good as those of most men.
Why, sir, many of them are expecting the President
to disperse t'enaress with tlie bayonet, as Cromwell dis
persed the Long Parliament, lb (Southern heart ia
rapidly being fired to deeds of war, and all this, and
more, as I believe, has been occasloted by tbe mistakes
of the President.
His p an of trusting Rebels with their State Govern
ments has had an oflect exactly tbe opposite oi what
be Intended It has ruined the prospects of the Union
men. end thev feel that there is no safety for thcmnnloss
Congress shall choose to nroteot them. Even three dav
ago General Thomas bad to send troops Into Marshall
county, some slx'y miles distant, to protect loyal men
end ireednun, who were fleeing for safety and coming
to this city.
fo isr aa I am Individually concerned, tbe Intempe
rate atiuse of Rebel, the denunciation and blackguard
ism of their reconstructed journals tbe threats of per
sonal violence lrom their amnestied patriots, and the
anonymous letters of cowards threatening my assasslna
tin, all teHlharmless at my feet. Ho earthly power can
drive me irom the support of the men ami the party who
toucht tbe battles ot tbe late war aud put down the Re
bellion. W-itb kind recollections of the past, and the lop? of a
Pleasant future, w G. Hkownlow,
Governor ot Tennessee.
TBI "CBHTXAL DIBBCTOBY."
In view of tho statements of Governor Brownlow,
and its corroborations borne to us by every mail from
tho Sonth, may 1 not inqnire whether Andrew
Johnson is in bis true place, "it traitors should take
a back seat in the work oi restoration 1" la view of
his perfidious abandonment of the Unloa men of the
South, do not his denunciations of Congress remind
ou of Louis Napoleon's cry that the Congress of
'ranee Lad become a hot-bod of plots and conspira
cies? And ha he, under tbe tuition of his new
meads, been studying tho history of revolutionary
France, that he denonnce the joint Committoe on
.Reconstruction, composed as it is of fifteen of the
purest statesmen ot the conntry, as an Irresponsible
central directory f That phrase recall to mind the
incidents ol the 18th Brumaire. lie should have
known his countrymen bolter than to have referred
to such na example!
Gn the 18 h Bramalre the executivo t wer of
France was in a Cental Directory. The condition
ot tbe country, as we find it in Thiers, reminds ns ot
that of the unhappy bomb. He says, after referring
to the victories ot htoant labor and Abcakir, "Ihe
greatest perils were not without, bat within. Tho
diBorganized Government, nnrn'y partlee which
would not submit to authority and which, never
theless, were not strong enough to possess them
selves ot it a kind of social dissolution everywhere,
and lODoery a sign ot tnat dissolution, infesting the
high roads, especially in provinces formerly torn by
civil war such was the state of the repuollo."
ANOTHER HISTORICAL PARALLEL.
When, on the 18th of October, Napoleon, fresh
from tbe expedition to Syria, found his way secretly
to his home in the Kue Chanteretne, his first visit
was to tbe Presidont ef the Directory, Gohier, with
whom he arranged that he Bhould bo presonted to
tbe lHrucrory next day. After hi presentation, he
addressed the supreme magistrate. Appealing to
their gratitude by referring to his past services, loss
directly, but moio elegantly, than is tbe habit of onr
President, he said "that, alter consolidating the es
tablishment of hi armies ia Egypt by the victories
of Mount Tator and Aboukir. and committing tho
charge of it to a general qualified to inturo its pros
perity, be had left it to fly to the succor of the .Re
public, whicti he believed to be undone. Ho had
found it saved by the exploits of brethren in arms,
and in this he rejoioed." "Never." ho added, clap
ping his band to his -word, "never would he draw
it but in dicnie of that Hepublio.
BIPTOBY REPEATING ITSELF.
The leaders of all tho parties of France visited him
in turn, "l wo principal particB," Bays Thiers, "and
a third, a subdivision of the two others, o tiered them
selves to him, and were dispoted to servo him it ho
adopted their views. These were known aa tbe
patriots, tbe moderates, and lastly, the pourris, as
they wero called, the rotten of all times, and ot all
factions. The pourria were the French equivalent
of the 1 yler party, and are aow represented by those
office-holders who, having been fierce Kepublicans,
proclaim themselves "tho friends ot Andrew John
son and a white man' government." When reler
ring te them. Thiers Bays: "The pourria, the rotton,
were all tbe rogues, all the intriguers, who were
striving to make their fortune, who had dishonored
themselves in making it, and who wore still bont on
inakinr it at the same price. These tollowed Barraa
and louoho, the minister of police. Among them
were men of ail sorts Jacobins, moderates, 'and
even rovall-ta " Ibo never-to-be-forgotten meeting
in iront of the Executivo Mansion, on the 224 of
bebruary, confirms, most strikingly, tne laot that
history not only repeats itself, but does it witb accu
rncv of detail. It is said that "Bonaparte felt a hor
ror of the turbulent, aud a disgust of the corrupt." l
lie, tnereiore, suruua. irom pursunm uouiact wiiu
thepoum's, and repulsed them until their luadurs
became absolutely necessary to tils purposes.
"Meanwhile," save Allison, "in his secret Inter
course with the different leaders, Napoleon was inde
fatigable in his endeavors to disarm all opposition.
Master ol the most profound dissimulation, be de
clared Limself to the chiefs ot the different parties
penetrated with tbe Ideas which he was awaio would
be most acceptable to thoir minds. To one he pro
tested that be eertainiy did desiro to play the part of
Washington, but only in conjunction with Sieves
the proudest day of his hfo would be that when be
retired from power; to another, that the part ot
Cromwell appeared to bim ignoble, because it was
that of an impostor; to the tiienos of Sieyo he pro
lessed himself imi reused with the most profound
respect for that mighty Intellect, boioi which the
genius of Mirabeaug had prostrated itself; that, for
b s own part, he cou'd only hoad tbe armies, and
leave to others the lormatinn of the constitution. To
all the Jacobins who approached bim be spokaot the
extinction of liberty, the tyranny of the Diroctory,
and usd terms which sutliciently reca'led the
luiB0U8 proclamation which had given ihe first im
pulse to tho revolution of tliu lBtlt Fructidor " Ho
publicly ordered a reviow ot the troops lor th morn
ing cl the lHtli Bramairc, after which ho would, be
saic, fet off to take command of tho army on the
frontier.
OVMtTliBOW 0 THE 1BKKCH REPUBLIC.
Thus he periected bis plan ior the overthrow of
the Kepublic. j daybreak of the Oth of Kovi mber,
known as th 18th Kiumaire, the ;bouievards were
filled with a spiemiia body of cavalry, and all the
generals in Paris repaired in lull dress to the Kue
Chtnteraino. To lull tbe suspic ons ot tho Presidont
ot the l)ireetorv, Bonupurte had announced to him
lumiliarlj that he would diue with him on thut day.
J he loaders ol tbe Dopu'ics of the Aucionts, in pur
suance of a conspiracy, had dutermiued to announce
at the opening ot the sesmon that the republic w.s
in Hanger, but to allnv tbo fears of the uucorrupted
members by assuring them that it would be saved by
the protecting arm of General Bonaparte. On tbo
arm at ol the unusual hour at which tho mecuting Lad
been culled the 1'iesiceutof the cointuiH-ion charged
wiih watching over the legislative body opened ihe
pioceeuincK. ' I lie Republic." stud be, "is menuend
at once bvthe anarchists and the enemy j we must in
etantlv tale measure for tho publie safety. Wo may
reckon on tbe support of Oeueral Bonaparte. It is
under the ihecowot bis protecting arm that the
( oiiucils must deliberate on tho measure required
by tbe interest of tho Ptpnblie." The Speaker ue,
ciured debate or rcmonBtrance to be out ot order
aud tho decree wus adopted. The soldieri, who be
lieved, as did tbo people, thai they had been ordered
out ior review, surrounded the Hall ol the Aucicnie.
arid Honupsyte, attended by Moreau. Muudonaed,
Dorthier. Mutat, Launes, Ma'mont. aad Lefobvre
entered, and proceeded t J the bar ol the iiaii ol thy
Ancients.
ANDREW JOUNBOJl'U DlPilMULATION. ,
APer a moment' pause, Bonaparte said: "Citi
zen Bepresiutatives, tbe Kepublic was about to
tin lb, when you saved it; woo to those who shal
attempt to oppose yourdecreo; aided cy my brave
companion in arms, I will speedily eruab them to
tbewrtb. leu axe the collected wisdom of the aa
Moa; it is for vou to point oat the measures which
may save it, I eoiae, surrounded by all the tonerais,
to offer yea the supporter their arms. I name I
febvre my e tenant. I will faithfully discharge the
duty y oo bave eatmsled to aae. Lot none seek la tbe
past examples te regalate tbe prosoat. Kothiog in
history baa any resemblance te the olose of the
eighteenth century ! nothing in the eighteenth cen
tury resemble thl moment. We are resolved to
have a republic; we are resolved te havo It foandod
oa tree liberty and a representative system. I toe or
It In ray owe name aad in that of my companions in
arms." From the moment In which he uttered that
hollow oath till that of his downfall the story of
Bonaparte a as the history ef the French Govern
ment. Th perjury-freighted breath of him whe
swore te protect the Bepnhlie had killed it. The
power w hich enabled Bonaparte to destroy the Ke
pablia he tha iwoie to piotect Was dissimulation;
the essential agency was the success with which he
impressed th chiefs of the different parties with the
belief that he was controlled by the idea la which
tbey had faith.
rota history or his own experience, Andrew John
eon has learned that dissimulation alone will enable
bim to execute his purposes. To have appealed to
the persuasive power of patronago immediately npon
assuming office would have awakened suspicion, aud
he is too exporiaaoed and craf ty a politician for that.
He knew that tho allies of the Kabels wer in a hops
less minority In the North, and that to restore the
old order oi things a united South and a divided
.North he must secure measure of popular confi
dence before he disclosed his purpose even to tne
fitiiTt, It was by profosslng fldolity to the repub
lics ol 1763 and 1348 that the Bonapartes were able to
overthrow then. And his purpose ia to put this
country into the hands of the Impenitent Rebel of
tbe Soeth by professing to adhere to the Union party
till be shall have divided it counsels and wrought its
overthrow, la April last, while the loval heart of
the North throbbed wdJU Inaignation, he did not de
nounce the radicals, or insist apon it that ' we must
repose confidence in somebody, and ought to trust
the people of tbe Sonth." To a delegation of loyal
Bontherners he then raid :
"Bat if asked wbat should be don with the assassin,
what should be th penalty tho torlclt exacted I
know what response dwell In every bosom. It Is that
ho shoo d pay the tone It with bis life. And hence we
see there am tlnsea when mercy and clemenov, wltbout
Justice, become a crime. And so I return to
where I started from, and again repeat that It l time
our people were taught to know that treason Is a crime,
ot a mere political difference, nor a mere contest be
tween two parties, fa which one succeeded and the
other bas simply tailed. They must know It is treason!
for If Ihey bad succeeded, the life of tne nation woald
have been leit from it, the Union would have been de
stroyed. Purely, tbe Constitution sutliciently defines
treason. It consists In levvlng war against the United
Ptates, and in giving their enen.Ies aid and comfort.
With this definition, It requires the exrc'se of
no great acumen to ascertain who are traitor.
It requires no great jerceptlon to tell who
bave levied war against the United States) nor
does It require any great (tietch of reasoning
to ascertain who bas given aid to tbe enemies of the
United H tales; and when tbe Government oi tlie United
States does ascertain who are tbe conscious aud Intelli
gent traitors, the penalty ant the lortelt should be paid."
MEBCY WITHOUT JDSTICE.
If niorcy without justice be a crime, who shall ab
solve Andrew Johnson from tbe consequences of his
great transgression f Has he the aoumen to discover
who have been traitors? And is not that meroy
without justice which, in violation ef the express
provisions ef law, bas restored to bloody-banded
traitors immense landed estates, tbe titles to which
weie absolutely vetted in the Unitod States, and,
therefore, bevond his lawful control? Tested by his
own standards, you may be disposed to ask wherein
bis guilt differs from that of the' stern statesman"
whose exultation at tno triumph of his beloved
South Is tor yet a little while restrained by the strong
wails of Fortress Monroe? But let us not hasten to
conclusions. The subdued tones of his voice and tue
broad generalities la whioh he cloaks his designs,
Btill deceive some patriotic people. They havo not
sounded the shoals and doptbs of a nature like his.
Lot me, rapidly as I can, for your patience mast
weary, illustrate his methods for overthrowing the
party that maintained the war and conquered his
rebellious section.
JOHNSON'S IDEA OF "LOYALTY."
Bold as partial success has made bim, be still, In
bis publio addresses, speaks of loyalty, and in hi
celebrated interview with the representatives of the
Legis'ature ot reconstructed Virginia, which
occurred tho day after he exhibited himself in snch
painful contrast with the representatives of the
"interior race," whom be bad honored with an
interview, he insisted that nono but loyal men must
be admitted to the councils of the, nation. It is,
however, tortnnate for tho country that he Is less
reticent than Bonaparte, or not so exoellont a
reader of the hearts of men, or tnat oar more popu
lar government constrains a more frequent expres
sion ot opinion, ior he has enabled ns to understand
the significance with which he uses tbe word loyal,
and the popular phrases by which he hopes to
delude and divide the peoplo ot tho Korth.
Having at that timo laith in his iutegrity, and
Doing anxious to lend bim any aid I could in tho
execution of tno high duties confided to him, I once
filled the role once tilled by Major George L. Storns,
ana more recently by Governor Cox of Ohio. It
had been my privilege to pass an hoar in olose and
friendly intercourse with him in the antc-room to
the Executive Chamber in tho early part of April
last, on the occasion of the last coil I was permitted
to make on Abrahum Lincoln.
BE PROFESSES TO AGREE WITH SUMNER.
During that interview he reforred very kindly to
my speech in lavor of universal suffrage, and re
quested another copy, saying ho had mislaid tho
one ho bad read with bo much pleasure, and wished
it that he might refer to some of tho authorities
cited. Whcnl next bbw him he was President of
the United States, but had not tukeu up hi abode in
the Executive mansion. Having arrived iu Wash
ington in the evening, I delayed my call upon lum
till the next morning, and having board that Sena
tor Sumner had had a protracted interview with him
that aay, with General Guutt, of Arkansas, I went
to Lis room, where I found General Carl Schurz,
fresh irom North Carolina, and the surren
der of Johnston' army. He had. aa you
remember, commanded a division of tho con
quering army in us wonderlul march through
the enemy's country, and wus still fia
eomrnkssien. Senator Sumner detailed the points
the President und ho bad discussed, and wo parted
with mutual congratulations that the Presidential
oflico wob in the bands of one who abliorrou trea
son,' was detoi mined to punish traitors, aud wao,
being familiar with the ignoranoe and Ucgra4attoa
ot the poor whites of the South, knew how grie
vously tbev had been misled and was therefore capa
ble of pardoning them. We wore gratified to be
assured that ho aid not differ with us upon tlie ne
cessity of avai.iug ourselves, iu the reirgamzation
of the South, of tbe political power of the loyal
people of that oectiou without regard to llnoage or
past prejudices, as we had availed ourselves ot their
military power in the extreme exigenoy ol the
country.
JUDGE BELLEY'B INTERVIEW WITH THE rRESt,DENT.
Accompanied by General Gantt, I waited npon
PresidcnlJohnson the next moraine at his residence
in tho mansion ol the Hon. Samuel Hooper, ef
Massachusetts. Our Interview was satisfactory, bat
chiefly so iu this: That, tae point on which tho
President was n ost clear was, that there must be no
haste in the work ol reconstruction; that time was
our ablest ally ; that these people having overthrown
their rovfinment must be permitted to teeltlie want
of government, una to sufTi r from its want, that they
might be brought to comprehend tha ttoe founda
tions ot just government. It was in his iadgmeut
ior tho question ot the tossibility ol a called session
ol Congress was tncidcnta ly touched on fortunate
that CongitB did not meet at in earlier day, tor in
the interim we would Do able to ascertain the true
fpint ot the peoplo ot the South; they would dis
cover and appreciate the Just d mauds ot those who
bad maintained the Government, and wo would all
be better able to jtidg" how lar the uewlv emanci
pated citizens oouid be trusted with poiltioal power.
The point specially presed by General Gantt was
fho agency through which argument, rcrsuasioa,
aud lui'Tmation could be prosomod br the peoplo ef
the rolelhous district, Tlio heresies which hue pro
duced the Rebellion could thus, iu hi Judgment,
oon be eradicated. These, ho aid. were to: The
doctrine ol State foveieifuty or the right of seces
sion, and tho doctrine ot slavery the riu'flt of man
to bold property in man i and ho suggested to the
Prtudent that while military power was maintained
it v. as clcaily within tno limits ol constitutional
rower to siippret-s ""y paper winch maintained
these doctrint within tne eou.iteird Sutos. Espe
cially did he protest a?amst pei-tui ting auy editor
who Lad taught taese Ltrc-ies and sumuiated the
ptop.e to iieLel.iou to preudo over a paper wnbiti
any nnlitaiy tiistiict. ibo President us-ontoil very
distinctly to the correctness ol tbo uenera; viewa,
toying that uothinir could bo more important than
that tbe press tnonghout that reioon should he
conducted in tbe interest of the Goreriimont, hut iu
men a manner as not to wound the sensniiht m of
tliepcop:o. -He hoped. lioevor. it would not be'
necessary to exercise such u power. Our iutorview
wus loI d tagrteab.e to tho President, lor, ron ark
ing thut the time bad come wbeu Le ought to bo in
tbe room wh'ch he occupied n an Kxeotit'.vo ohiiin
ber a iooui in tho IreitHiry lie susrgvetod mat we
should precede bun, ttLd say to his messoncer thai
be bad diieend us to ediue und await him. VVe did
so, sud in a lew minutes he joined us. Uu-convor-sation
soon closed, and as we departed liom the
iiesidenuai presence, General tSchura -vas usuored
In, J here wa great anxie.y at ithut uino to ascer
tain tt.e President' views ou the leading topic, of
consideration. 1 he continued kindness of my con
stitutenls had given me some prominence bctoro the
country. 1 then, a 1 am very proud to be
to-day, known a Ladical. and oa rt turning to tha
tot el waa onouuded by a number ot
the, Intelligent!! g .tmea Wao represent th
newspaper prcie ol lb country at ita
Capital. and whose anxiety and labor-
ions forts te sift and eoatipare state
merits and rnmon, that they may traly inform tha
reader of the respective Journals , with whioh they
eommnateate, I too lightly esteemed. They weuldl
gladly have learail lrom me all the points disease,
and the precise shad of tbe President's opinion.
Bat the time at my disposal was tee brief for that.
I coald only ray that the interview bad beea en
tlrely satisfactory to me. One of the g eatlemea said
to me that it would give a good deal ol information
to many people li I woald prro!t tom to say very
briefly what 1 had Bait to them, and, drawl a g his
enoil, wrote i "Jadge Kelley, of Pennsylvania,
bad a protracted Interview with the rresident
to-day, aad Is entirely satisfied with bis view and
parnosee," which waa read tbe next day by tbe
reader of all the papers with which the Associated
Press communicate.
1 he next day I was giving aa elaborate report Of
the conversation to some members of the Unloa
Lesgaoof this city, among whom, I remember, were
Messrs. George it. Boker, Llndtey Smyth, and
Thomas Webster. Seme of my hoarer evidently
doubted that there comd be each entire eoiaoldonce
between Ay well-known views and those ot the
Presidont, aa 1 represented. Happily, General
(Sehuiz arrived at the moment, and I withdrew front
the conversation by saying. " General, be good
enough to conform' or contradict some atatemeai I
have jnst made by letting these gentlemen know the
President's expressed opinion ea certain points, ,
for yosr interview with bim was a few mtnn'es later
than mine." He did so, and confirmed my allega
tion at all points.
JUDOB XELLBY SUPPORTING THE FBUfllDENT.
I bad other Interviews with Mr. Johnson, and had
no reason to doubt his franknees or hia candor. Toe
may, therefore, readily imagine tbe amazement with
which 1 read of the appointment of a provisional
Governor for North Carolina and tbe terms oi? toe ?
proclamation accompanying tbe appointment. I
passed the first week of June in Boston, in attend
once upon the anniversary meeting, two or throe of
which 1 was to address. The North Carolina move
ment occasioned the friend ot tho Government in
that quarter much anxiety, and I found pleasure in
laying beloro them the evidence at my command
that the President had not acted unadvisedly t that
be waa iu harmony with them; that be did
mean to make treason odious and punish
traitor; that thl movement was only ' experi
mental; that be was not going to arrogate to - .
hiniselt the funotlon of the legislative brenoh. -of
the Government; (bat he did mean that
the reconstructed States must bo put npon tho broad
basis of the right ot man, protected by du Consti
tutional guarantees; and in persuading them to be
lieve with me that tho President was anxious for the
oxtonslon of th right of luflrage to all, the.dI0b.s1on
of schools, the maintenance of a free press, aad the
establishment of traly demooratio republican gov
ernments throughout the Soatb. In such violation
ot all the opinion be had expressed to me wai thla
action that I was persuaded he aott-d on assuranco,
that by leaving all question to the peoplo oi MortU
Carolina, as he was ooing, they would of their own
volition (at least apparently so) frame a government
which would - be acceptable to Congress anil the
sentiment of the country, aad be aa example to all
the rest ot the State whose governments bad been
overthrown.
ANOTHER INTER YIEW.
Immediately alter my return-home I repaired to
Washington te receive these assurance from hi
own Hps. 1 mentioned my Boston experiences to
him, and the ploasure it had given me to explain i
bts motives and prevent unjust criticism. He did me
the honor, ior which 1 specialty thank him now, to
inquire the grounds upon whleh 1 rented my argu
ments. I relerrcd him to his continued advocaoy of
the Homestead bill to the eaergywith which ho had
pressed upon mo the necetsity of breaking np the
large landed estate ot Tonnessee and the entire)
South. I recurred to bis pledge to the colored
Scople of the country in hi A asuville apeeon that
e would be their Moses to lead them to liberty,, and
specially pressed tbe fact that 1 bad seen it announced
that Le Lad suggested to a deputation of colored
cit zens of the Uistnct that bad waited npon him,
that tbey Bhould bo prepared, when Congress assem
bled, to memorialize it lor tbe right of suffrage ia
tbo District. He did not the a saigest, nor, indeed,
haa be ever to me, aa hia friend, Colonel Flo
rence, assured the readers oi tbo QmttituticmcU
Union, he has to other, that po such deputation
ever waited ou him or received snoh suggestion from
him. But, thanking me for this evidence of my
friendship, inquired who the common, friend was to
whom I had alluded as eoii aiding with me in judg- ;
ruent. When 1 informed him that it waa Major ,
George L. btearns, who bad bean with bim iu Naan-
vilie for a long time recruiting colored troops, he
said with much animation: 'Oh, yea, Major
Stearns. I am aot surprised to learn that he should '
understand me thoroughly as you do." Again as
suring mo ot the earnestness with which he would
advocate tbe extension of suffrage to eolored citi
zers, were he in Tennessoe, he said the people would
soon learn that the samo man in different positions
might have different duties to periorm, and that
while he would give all bis personal influence to pro
mote tho extension ot suffrage, be cid not feel tb at
he had a right, as chief Executive officer of the
country, to force it upon even the peoplo of the re
bellious State, and added that ho wished the people
to bo mado to understand these things.
Tint PRESIDENT FALSIFIES HIS STATEMENTS.
Accepting the "request of the monnjoli as a com
mand to tbe subjeoi," 1 made it my buniness, imme
diately on my return homo, to state tho President's
position to tho conductors of all oar journa s with
whom I bad aay acquaintance, and, a few weeks
later, was muoh pained to larn from at least one of
them, that 1 had somewhat impaired my reputation
ae a competent reporter of a eonvorsatiou, by the
faot that the position I had announced tho 1'rosidont
as occupying hud been expressly disavowed. Yea
may, tlieieloro, imagine tbo pleasure witu which I
tome month later carried to that geatlomau the
printed letter ot Major btearns, endorsed by the '
President, containing a correct statement of a con
versation had between them, in the course of which
he bad used precisely tho langmare I bad, months
before, reported him as having used to me. It may
not be improper to remark ia naaaina. that it is well
for the Major's sensibilities that he got the President (
W .UU.,CV .1, Dim Ul til . uuiu, o UD JHWII.UDI 111, ,19
I beard bim remark the other day, to a group of
gentlemen, that Ut. Jobnsoa bad faMfled, without v
exception, every a.surance bo bad given him in the
conrso of their protracted iutorview.
UE EXPECTS THE RADICALS TO SLOUGH OFF. ,
But why should you be amazd at thisf Has he
redeemed any one of his publio pledgee, and are
there not scores of gentleman whom he na thus en
trapped or alienated r On the Ikim ol September
lust, (senator Wilson adurjsjed the Union mou of
Philadelphia in National Hail, and told them that
on the preceding day tho President had ac&ured hint
that the suffrage and other questions were, in his
opinion, opt u tor discussion within the party, and
that he would not uwcriminate between it muinbem
on account of tho opinions they might express on
points oot settled by the Baltimore Convention Ou
the 2d ot October, within a week, as we are assnv-ed
by those gentaemon, bo informed Messrs. Glenn- W. 1
Schofiold ami Morrow B. Loivrv, ol this 8 into, that
ht$ policy was fixed, that ho had aot told Mr Wil- 1
sou that lio did not moan to support bts po'OV by
tbe influence of his patronage and that le "ex
pected tlio radical to slough oil " But w'r trace
o tortuous and sbamcle-s a coursef Couli I do so
wltb safety to my oounti'-, 1 would ir'.a.l' strive to
bury m oblivion t e uniuhing torive"aclous of
our Chief Magistrate. Bat the people sb""d under
stand their President' character and ipoes, for
it is acaliibt theu'tw.ves that he is euworlug to
excite them. He would make theiyhoiieve that
f onriess tho prejio' branch of the'OveroniHiit
which is mii tendered into their han" nt tho i nd of
every second year, ha ior iuiste purposes sub
mitted itse.f to the control and lo-ersnip oi a lew
daugerous men, and that he elo represents the
DOLUiai will. To tho paUIIo thi's crv. To
individuals it is an o dor story wou.d ruako the
j cop e believe ibat thero has be that iu the action
of Congress which was intonue0 embirntss hnn. .
But individuals know how iiv,,1'0;Bl,lv aud porsis
cutly be has sought to impair -'Ular confliionoe ia
thoeo Sona'or and Koprcsenire BPon whom Abrit- ,
Lorn Lincoln louuod with n1 tniplicit conildeuce ; '
and tnat so early as Ju' ue "d been f
but three months in oOiefi allocked aa eminent I
oivue vl'Osn good offioes' "ttd "voged, by saying
that 'be Held t.ie extreu ionu as re
s, cnsihie ior the war or'0 11 0,0 ol Vle Wolh,
ar.d l.toneed toorgani f" that would exclude
toth." Thoiici tie had. J;.,r'v "uopted thudosign,
it ws not till last V v ,; Mlb h!'T Vood
the purpose ot puu ' Aorthera radica, and
putting hem doU npu1douI "Biod
traitor!, of V e Mou' lr7 's"itf'P''i ", .7MJU" oI
tie Cu.on that n-Jf .J'J?LtlJca! roocta ' of
colored men wM)' '":.,Z...Z':'"-,yr .?ed real
estate, and it wat, , wimm be
ea.is Governor ,Mf""'W . 'ha', on tho lot a of
Au.uTt ho uriV' t;kLi Ut'hcrt 'Hewayto play a
htTtnck" fet t' W
divit'e tl e U..XV,;,',n 5, nl ,,e 'o'lO'Ving ex
tract from ht,"'J,CIl,ao11 t-!lou W. L. Blnrkey
"l ,sa .JvVrsarv ,.5 T0" """ Completely
dlsarw !iiilr i.i. "n Dle tbe oiher
Ire" pio? nd trns? .i ' b'1 wl,n
etettconw oonveutlou wdl do thla,
nd mieblso J 1 I'"1?- who are wild upon
" eidoeen tbJ !..i?-.'",nle,a1 ,olleJ ,n 'heir at-
neto keep the southern State from renewing tbei t