The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-05 00:00:00

people, and of that portion of the people who constitute
the gallant and brave men who, in both branches of the
service, have upheld the national flag, and sustained the
country in the recent struggle. I thank you, gentlemen,
for the encouragement. I thank you for your countenance
on this occasion ! It cheers me on and gives me strength
to perform the work befor3 me. If we are true to our-
selves, if we are true to the Constitution, the day is not
far distant when this Government will be restored. Let
us go on and restore the Government. Let us enlarge the
area of our commerce and trade ; and let us not only in-
spire confidence at home, but respect abroad, by letting
the nation resume its career of prosperity and greatness.
I know that some will fr d fault with me and say I am
too lenient, too kind, and all that. If we were all to be
put to death or punished, or banished for one offence, or
for the second offence, and were to be lost or excluded
from society and communion with our fellow-n'°°'
how many of us would be left ? I have felt when I have
done wrong and repented of it, that I was as siscere and
honest as he who had done no wrong at all. Then we
must reason with each other, and understand our nature,
and what is necessary to restore peace, and harmonY,
and concord to a distracted and divided people.
In time of war it is right to burn villages, seed
cities, and devastate fields, to lay waste a country, an
cripple and reduce the enemy. But in time of peace the
converse of that course is precisely the right one, and the
true policy of a nation is to rebuild its cities, restore
its
villages, and let all the avocations of peace and prosperitY
be restored. I know there are some who have been 4t
home calculating during the war, and who bring to the
consideration of questions of peace, harmony, and 91,°
avocations of civil life, all the feelings of resentment whin"
animated us when the excitement was running high. 131,1
take the brave men who sustained the flag on the field
and on the wave, and you will find better feelings and
better judgment on these questions than you Will find
with those who have been sitting in the closet and never
smelled gunpowder. (Cheers.) Yes, from the private IT
to the commanding general, they know better how to treat
the present circumstances than any of those closet patriots
and humanitarians. Then my countrymen, fellow-
citizens, soldiers and sailors, let us rejoice that peace 1/3s
come. Let us rejoice that the relations of the States are
about being restored. Let us make every effort we cell
on proper principles to restore the relations which exerted
between the Federal Government and the States; and T -
thank God that peace is restored. I thank God that our
brave men can return to their families and homes and I,e
sumo their peaceful avocations. I thank God that tlie
baleful planet of fire and blood which a short time ago
was in the ascendant has been chased away by the benig-
nant star of peace. Now that the star of peace is snie
.'".
pended in the heavens, let us cultivate the earth and t'
relations of peace—all those associations which apper-
tain to men in peace. The time is not distant Whelli
we can have a political millennium—political jubilee, gnu,
when we can proclaim to all the nations of the earth that
we are again a united people, and that we have triutnei;
antly passed through our third ordeal—have peace at bon,
and power to bid defiance to all the world. (Loud cbeers')
Remember one thing, gentlemen, that in my Past lifej
though slanderers may misrepresent, none can say thatin
ever deceived or betrayed him. It will be for you to sen
the future who will redeem all his promises, and who sr
be the most faithful. I thank you, gentlemen, for the COal"
pliment you have paid me.
At the close of his remarks, the President and the Union
were loudly and enthusiastically cheered. The Presidein
was evidently gratified at his reception, and warrl" v
thanked the vast audience for their courtesy, their en:
couragement, and their support. The band perforate'
some more patriotic airs, and the immense crowd die'
persed.