Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-04-29
IMPORTANT SPEECH By PRESIDENT JaHNSO
The Question of Mercy.

On the 18th inst, Gov. 0GLEsBY of Illinois,
at the head of delegation from that State,
w9ited upon President JOHNSON. Gov. o. ad-
dressed him, speaking in high praise Of Mr.
LINCOLN, and expressed in behalf of the del
egation the fullest confidence in Mr. JOHS-
SONS abilities to conduct the affairs OF the
nation, pledging him the earnest support Of
his State and country.
President johnson replied -"I have
listened with profound emotion to the words
you have addressed me. l had not anticipa-
ted in the midst of the saddening circum-
stances which surrounded, and the immense
responsibilities that crowd upon me, the ex-
preston of the confidence of individuals, and
still more of an influential body like that be-
fore me, representing great Commonwealth.
1t strengthens my heavily burdened mind in
an hour like this of deepest sorrow. Were
It possible to embody in words the feelings Of
my bosom, could not command my lips to
utter them. Perhaps the best reply could
make, the one most appropriate to your kind
assurances of confidence, would be to receive
them in silence. The throbbings of my heart
since the sad catastrophe which has appalled,
US, cannot be reduced to words, and oppress-
ed as | am with the new and great RESPONSE
bilities which have devolved upon me, and
saddened with grief, | can with difficulty re-
spOnd to you at all, but l cannot permit such
expressions of confidence reposed in me by
the people to pass without acknowledgment.
To an individual like myself, who has never
claimed much, but who has, it is true, re-
ceived from generous people many marks of
trust and honor for long time, an occasion
like this and a manifestation of public feel
ing so well timed, are peculiarly acceptable.
Springing from the people myself, every pull
satiOn of the popular heart finds an imme-
date answer in my own. By many men in
public life such occasions are often consider
ed merely formal To me they are real.
Your words of countenance and encour-
agement sink deep in my heart, and were l
even coward, l could but gather from them
strength to carry out my convictions of right.
Thus feeling L shall enter upon the discharge
OF my great duty firmly and steadlastly, il
not with the signal ability exhibited by my
ing minds. And l repeat that no heart feels
more sensibly than mine this great affliction.
In what say on this occasion, l shall in
dulge in no petty spirit of anger, no feeling
of revenge. But we have beheld notable
event in the history of mankind. In the
midst of the American people, where every
citizen is taught to obey law and observe the
rules of Christian conduct, our Chief Magis-
trate, beloved of all hearts, has been assas
sinated; and when we trace the crime to its
cause-when we remember the source whence
the assassin drew his inspiration, and then
look at the result, we stand yet more aston.
ished at this most barbarOus, most diabolical
assassination Such crime as.the murder of
a great and good man, honored and reYered,
beloved, and the hope of the people, springs
not from a solitary individual of ever so des-
perate Wickedness. We can trace its cause
through successive steps, without enumerat-
ing them here, back to that source which is
the spring of all our woes. No one can say
that if the perpetrator of that fsAdi&h deed
should be arrested, he should not undergo the
extreme penalty which the law provides for
crime.
While we strain our minds to comprehend
the enormity of the assassination, shall &c
allow the nation to be assassinated? / speak
in no spirit of unkindness. leave the events
of the future to be disposed of as they arise,
regarding myself as the humble instrument of
the American people. In this, as in all things,
justice md judgment shall be determined by
them. do not harbor bitter or revengeful
feelings toward any one. In general terms
would say, that public morals and public opin-
ion should be established upon sure aui in
flexible principles of justice. When the ques-
ton of exercising mercy comes before re, it
will be considered calmly, judieiOuslJ re
Numbering that l am the Executive of the
nation. know men love 10 have their names
spoken of in connection with acts of mercy,
and how easy it is to yield to this impulse;
blt De must not forget that lckat may be mercy
to individuals is cruelty to tie State. III The
exercise Of nlerey here should be no doubt left
that this high prerOgative is not used TO relias
the fer at tie expense Of the many.
Be assured | shall never forget that l am
not 10 consult my own feelings alone, but TO
give an account to the whole people in re-
gard to my future course. l will now make
no pledges l have been connected some
what actively with public affairs, and to the
history of my past public acts, which is ia
miliar to you, | refer for those principles
which have governed me heretofore, and will
guide me hereafter.
In general will say have long labored
for the elevation of the great mass of man.
kind. My opinions as to the nature of popu-
lar government have long been cherished
and, constituted as | am, it is now too late in
life for me TO change them. / believe that
government was made for man, not man for
government. This struggle of the people
against the most gigantic rebellion the world
ever saw has demonstrated that the attach
-bOAe Vi SAS W SOf6Fuue4L Is tue
strongest Latural defense human wisdom can
devise. So long as the rich man feels that
the interests Of the government are his in
terests, so long as the public heart turns in
the right direction, and the people under
stand and appreciate the theory of our gov
eminent and love of liberty, our Constitution
will be transmitted unimpaired. If the time
ever comes when the people shall fail, the
government will fail and we cease to be one
of the nations of the earth. 1t may be that
it was necessary for as to pass the last ordeal
of strife, to prove that the government viii
not perish from internal weakness, but viii
stand able TO defend itself against all foes
and punish treason.
The OLD CABINET TO BE RETAINED.-Presi-
dent johnson has formally announced that he
desired to retain the present secretaries Of
departments in his cabinet, and they would
go on and discharge their respective duties
in the same manner as bsfore the deplorable
4ha& koI II. IL 49, L.