The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-04-28
ANDREW JOHNSON.
His Speech to the Illinois Delega-
ton.

ASHINGrON, April lS.-OOv. OgleSby,
of Illinois, in introducing the Illinois DEL
egation, spoke in high praise of Mr.. Lin
coin, and expressed in behalf of the dele
cation the fullest confidence in Mr.. John
sons abilities to conduct the affairs of the
nation, and pledged him the earnest sup
port Of his State and the country.
President johnson replied:
l have listened with profound emotion to
the words you have addressed me. l had not
anticipated in the midst of the eaddenirg cir
eumstances which surrounded, and the i'm
mense responsibilities that crowd upon me, the
expression of the confidence Of individuals,
and still more OF an influential body like that
before me representing great Commonwealth.
1t strengthens my heavily burdened mind in an
hour like this ofdeepest sorrow. Were it pos
sible to embody in words the feeling of my
BOSOM 1 could not command nv lips to utter
them. Perhaps the best reply could make
the one most appropriate to your kind assur-
ances of con6dence-would be to receive them
in silence.
The throbbings of my heart since the sad ca
tastrophe which has APPALLED, US, cannot be re-
duced to words, and oppressed as 1 am with
the new and great responsibilities which have
devOlved upon me, and saddened with grief I
can with difficulty respond to you at all, but
cannot permit such expressions of confidence
reposed in me by the people to pass without
acknowledgment. To an individual like N.Y.
SELF who has never claimed much, but who has,
it is true, received from q generous people
many marks of trust and honor for a long
time, an occasion like this and manifestation
of public feeling 80 we'll timed, are peculiarly
acceptable. Springing from the people myself
every pulsation of the popular heart finds an
immediate answer in my own. By many men
in public life such occasions are often consid-
cred merely formal. To me they are real
Your words of countenance and encourage
ment sink deep in my heart, and were I even
coward, / could but gather from them
strength tostArry out my convictions of right.
Thus feeling.4 shall enter upon the discharge
of my great duty firmly and steadfastly, if not
with the signal ability exhibited by my prede-
ceesor, which is still fresh In our Borrowing
minds. And repeat that no heart feels more
sensibly than mine, this great affection. In
what say on this occasion, shall indulge in
no petty spirit of anger, no feeling of revenge.
But we have beheld notable event in the his.
tory Of mankind: in the midst of the Ameri-
can people, where every citizen is taught to
conduct, our Chief Magistrate, beloved of all
hearts, has been assassinated and when we
trace the crime to Its cause-when we remem-
Der the source whence the assassin drew his
inspiration, and then look at the result we
stand yet more astonished at this most barba-
rous, most diabolical assassination. Such
crime as the murder of great and good man,
honored and revered, beloved, and the hope of
the people. springs not from a solitary indivi-
dual of even so desperate wickedness. We
can trace its cause through successive steps.
without enumeratng them here, back to that
source which is the spring OF all our woes.
No one can say that, If the perpetrator of this
fiendish 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 we
allow the nation to be assassinated? speak
in no spirit of unkindnr-,. IL. ~ Ntare
of the future to be disT
regarding myself as tb, r,
the American people. ~ tl.ry..
justice and judgment shall bC,eterInIned bv
them. 1 do not harbor bitter or revengeful
feelings toward any. In general terms,
would say that public morals and public opin-
ion should be established upon sure and inflex-
IDLE principles of justice When the question
of exercising mercy comes before me. it will
be considered calmly, MISUNDERSTANDING
ing that am the Executive of the nation.
know men love to have their names spoken in
connection with acts of mercy, and how easy
1t is to yield to this impulse, but We must not
forget that what may be mercy to individuals
L. cruelty to the State. In the exercise OF
mercy there should be no doubt left that this
high prerogative ia not used to relieve the few
st the expense Of the many.
| Be assured I shall never forget that am not
| to consult nv own feelings all ne, but to give
! an account to the whole people in regard to
| my future course I will new make no
| pledges. I have been connected somewhat
| actively with public affairs, and to the history
| of my public acts which is familiar to you,
refer to those principles which have governed
| me heretofore. and will guide me hereafter.
| In general / will say have long labored fol-
the elevation Of the great mass of mankind
| Ny opinions as to the nature of popula. gov.
| eminent have long been cherished. and, con.
stituted 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 mos
| gigantic rebellion the world ever saw has de
| monstrated tia. the attachment of the people
to their government ia the strongest nature
defence human wisdom can devise. So Ion,
I IS the rich Elsn feels that the interests OF IN,
government are his interests, 80 long az tn
public heart turrs in the right direction an.
| the people understand aud appreciate tn
theory OF our government and love libertS
our constitution will be Transmitted unim Dsined
IT the time ever comes when the people SRA
fail. tie government will fail and We cease I
be one OF the nLtionsof tAe earth. It NAV b
that it was necessary fo- Us to pass the Ia,
ordeal of strife 10 provo thx. the poyernmeI
will not perish from internal weakness. br
will stand abe to defend itself apsinsk q
foes and punish treason.