The Express.
London, England, 1867-06-17 00:00:00

ITESIDI.2. 2' .tT THE Sul TM.

President Johnson and his party left Richmond
and arrived in Raleigh on the 3nl. At Petersburg he w. ■
me, and welcomed, but declined making any speech
further than to express hie thanks. At Wildest the party
was suet by the North Carolina State officials, when Mr.
Johnson made a somewhat more extended address of
thanks for a hearty welcome to his native State. Secretary
Seward and Mr. Randall followed. At Raleigh the
visitors were met by the Mayor in another address of
welcome, and conducted to the hotel by the mili-
tary, under command of General Sickles. The
President was introduced from the balcony of the
hotel to the people beneath by Go. ernor Worth, and in
the course of his speech said :—" In making my entrance
into this city to-day, my mind involuntarily wandered
luck to the time when I left its streeta, a penniless and
inexperienced boy, to make my way in the world.
(Applause.) When looking back to forty years ago and
returning here to-day, I begin to inquire where are those
I left behind! In the language of poetry itself,
" The friends of my childhood! Where are theyir
EOho answers where. Some have emigrated and gone
to other lands ; some have complied with the inexorable
and irresistible call, and have passed to that undiscovered
country from whose bourne no traveller returns. I again
ask—Friends of my childhood, where see they? Where are
the Haywood., Hunters, and Lanes! Where are the
Pearce., the Herten, and Smiths, and Joneees ? Where is
the long list of men who lived at that day, and who corn-
mended respect for constancy to principle! (Applause.)
Under these circumstances could I feel indifferent? I
would be false to my nature if I forgot you ; and, not to
indulge in self-adulation, I can say I feel proud of the
demonstrations in my honour by the citizens of my native
land.

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Breathes there a man with soul so dead
Who never to himself bath sail,
This is my own, my native land,
(Applause.) This is not the time or occasion to discuss
the political issues which disturb the public mind ; but
an allusion has been made to my first going out from
among you, I may say that ever since I formed an
opinion as to the fundamental principles of the govern-
ment I have adhered to them and to the constitution,
the Union and the flag of my country. (Applause.)
When I went out front among you, and from the
time I became connected with politics, I laid
down as my rule a conscientious performance of
duty, adopted the constitution of my country
as my guide. (Applause.) And by these, whether in
prosperity or adversity, I have always been guided and
controlled, and, come weal or woe, in high places or low
places, with the constitution Al my guide, with my
hand laid on the altar of my country, I will leave these
great principles for those who are to follow. (Applause.)
One of my leading tenets has been the prosperity of the
great mass of the people, holding that all persons, with-
out regard to condition or colour, should be esteemed ac.
cording to their intrinsic merit or worth, leaving each to
rise on its own merit, courage, and energy. Let this be
km standard, so that to every one may be assigned his
true position. I trust and hope, instead of discussing
party issues, creating factions between North, South, East
or West, that all will exert themselves for the restoration
of the Union of these States, so that the flag may float
over a contented and prosperous people. (Applause.) Let
us, my friends, repair the breaches made by the war, and
restore the Union ; this being accomplished, we may then
make suck issues as the public prosperity and safety may
demand. Let us efface from our minds the memory of the
past ; let us pour oil on the troubled waters, and restore
peace to the States. This has been my constant object ;
but IN this pass."

On the same day the ceremonies at the city cemetery,
in connection with the dedication of the monument erected
to the father of President Johnson, commenced. The
monument is a single shaft of red limestone, ten feet high,
with ornamented cap. It. bears the following inscription :
—" In memory of Jacob Johnson, an honest man, beloved
and respected by all who knew him. Born ; died
January, 1812, from disease caused by an ever-effort in
saving the life of his friends." The following obituary
notice, written by Colonel Henderson, editor of the Rofriyh
Star, is copied from that paper of January 12, 1812 :
" Died in this city on Saturday last, Jacob Johnson,
who had for many years occupied a humble but useful
station. He was • city constable, sexton, and porter
to the State Bank. In his but illness he was visited
by the principal inhabitants of this city, by all of
whom he was esteemed for his honesty, sobriety, in-
dustry, and humane and friendly disposition. Among
those by whom he wee known and esteemed none more
deeply lament him, except perhaps his relations, than the
publisher of this paper, for he owes his life on a particular
occasion to the boldness and humanity of Jacob Johnson."
The ceremonies were closed with the benediction, when
two young negro girls came forward awl laid bouquets of
the choicest glowers on the grave of Jacob Johnson.