The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-07-21
Letter from the Preslhant.


Tho following Is the letter from .Prosi.
dent johnson read at tho Gettysburg Cele.
bration on Tuesday of last week: ..,
- h WASHINGTON. July 8, 1865.
DEAs SlH:--I bad promised myself tho
pleasure OF participating in. pcrsen in tho
proceedings of sto-morrow. THAT pleasure
l am, by iDdispostion, reluctantly com-
pciled TO fotcg0. l should have been
pleased, standing on that twice consocratcd
spot, 10 shere with you your 10y at, tho TO-
turn Of peace; TO greet with you tho sur.
vivDg heroes Of the war, who como back
with light hearts, though heavy laden with
honors, and with you to drop grateful tears
TO the memory of those that will mover re.
turn. Unable to do 40 in person, can on.
ly eond you my greetings, and assure you of
my full sympathy with tho purpose and
spirit OF your exercises TO. morrow. Of all
tho anniversaries of the Declaration Of In.
dependence, mono has been more import
ant and significant than that upon which
you assemble -Four years os struggle for
our nations lifo has been. crowned with sue.
GOES; armed treason is swept from The land;
our ports arc ro opened: our rotations with
other nations arc of tho most satisfactory
character; our internal commerce is free;
our soldiers and sailors resume tho peaceful
pursuits Of civil life; our FLAG floats in every
breeze, and tho only barrier to our national
progrcssx-human Siayory--s at nh end -
Lot US trust that each recurring Fourth of
July shall find our nation stronger in NUN. .
bers, stronger in wealth, stronger in the
harmony oil the oitizon, stronger in it's devo.
tion to nationality and freedom. AS have
often said, believe that God sent this peo-
ple on . misslon among tho nations of tho
Garth, and that when He founded our IN
IA n TpnnHnH in,
faith sustained md Though tho struggle
vhico is pasBod--it eustains mo now that
now duties are doyolved upon me and new
dangers Threaten us. feel that whatever
the meaDs he uses, the Almighty is deter
mined to preserve as pooplo. And since
havo seen tho love our feilow.citzens bear
thoir country, and tho sacrifices they have
snado for 1t, my abiding faith has become
stronger than ovor that q govornmont of the
people is the strongest as we'll as the best
rfeoverGments. In your JOY Tomorrow
trust you will not forgot the thousands of
whites ae we'll as blncks whom the war has
emancipatod, who will hail this Fourth of
july with delight which no previous ami
vorsary OF tho Declaration Of 10 dependence
ever gave them. Controlled go loug by am
bilious, selfish leaders, who used them for
their owu unworthy ends, they are now FREQ
to serve and cherish tho Government
ngainst whose life they in their blindness
struck. lam greatly mistaken if in the
States latelyip rebellion we no moi hence
forth havo an exhibition Of such Loyalty and
patriotism as were never seon or felt there
bcforo. When yoa havo conseoratod na-
ii0nal cemetery, you arc TO lay the corner.
stone of national monument, which, in all
human probability, will rise to tho full hight
and proportion OF your design. Noble as
this monument of stono may bo, it will be
but faint sy yuboi of the grand monument
which, il wo do our duty, We shall raise
among the nations Of the earth upon tho
foundation laid nino and eighty years ago ,
in Philadelphia. limo shall wear away
and crumblo this monument but that, based
ns it 10 upon The consent, virtue, patriotism
and intelligence of the people, each year
shell mako tirmer and more imposing. a.
Your friend and folIow.citiznn, -'.s |
ANDREW JOHNSON. - |