Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-06-06
The President and the Children.

The President and the Children.
A PIsnSant Speech Of, Mr.. JOhnsou
20 the Sunday school Children OF
WaghlnKtOn.o;s
The twenty. fifth anniversary of the Wash.
iugtou City Sunday School Union was cele.
brated last week, Five thousapd. children
and seven hundred teachers and Sabbath
school officers assembled at an early hour
in Lafayette Square, whence they marched
past the residence Of President johnson,
corner Of Fifteenth and a stFeets. The
President appeared at the door of his resi-.
dence and was greeted by the children as
they passed. While marching by, they
sang patriotic hymn, "Victory at last
The LntslLigeneer, says: "The President was
frequently cheered, aud was the recipient
of large number of bouquets, which
were thrown into his hat until 1t was so
full that basket was brought forth to con.
tain the floral gifts. After the children had
marched past the residence of the Presi.
dent, they marched down fifteenth street,
and thenceito the White House, where, after
they had assembled, the President took
position in front of the outside railing and
delivered an address. Just before he be.
gan to speak, a number of little girls were
placed upon the stand beside and ali
around him, and he seemed much pleased
to be surrounded by the children"
WHAT TIE PRESIDENT SAID TO THR oHtL.
DREE.
The President said, if he understood the
design Of the exhibition, it was intended,
in part to shoF how many children are
collected together 10 good schools. This
was their annual celebration, and they had
come by what was generally known as the
Executive MRusfou'in ORDER he supposed,
70 manifest their regard for the chief exec
utive officer of the nation. And this re-
spect was, offered now to one who knew
we'll how to sppfeoiate the condition of
poor or obscure children. He had always
opposed the idea of treating persons beyond
their due, and what they justly merited, and
he would Icy that down as general prop-
osition in his.address to the little boys and
girls who had done him the honor to call
upon him, he was opposed to deitying or
canoniEing anything that Is mortal but
there should always be just and proper
respect and appreciation OF true merit,
whether it belongs to the Christian, the
Statesman, or the philanthropist.. This
was the foundation Of his creed, ifhe had
any that all things should be done with
the approval of Him, who controls the
events and destinies of the world, To
these children-he might cay his little sons
and dangHters-he would say he desired
them to- appreciate the difference between
merit and demerit, and he would address
his remarks to those who were in better, az
we'll as to those who were in humb-
Ter circumstances. To those who had
superior advantages he4would say, do not
become foolish and silly because your par
ents can afford to dress you a little better,
or to educate you better. They should
feel and know that their parents and teach
ers cannot of themselves educate them
No one ever would be educated unless he
educated himself. Whether you have su-
Perior advantages or not, you must edu-
cate yourselves. Parents, teachers and
advantages given are simply the means
placed in your hands from which you must
mould and shape your own course through
life. But never feel that you are superior
to yo1fimore humble companions ana COM
rades. Instead of trying to humble them
aud make their soopditiong lower, your
pride should be to elevate them 10 the
standard you occupy. ,Sometimea one
may come in rsgs, and begrimed with dirt;
but beneath the rags and the dirt Jewel
may be found as bright as any yet discov
cred, and the humble individual may de-
velop that which would prove as bright
au ornament as the jewels Of any crowned
head: All should, understand this, and
that even those who have no meana can al
least make an effort to be good and great
In this matter he (the speaker) Was Au
, agrariRu--snhh au;AgraTiAn as would eIe-
Vate and estimate all in proportion to their
virtue aud merit IntrinGic merit should
be the base upon which all should stand.
He would pull none down, but would ele-
vate all-ieVelA upwards, not level down
wards. His notion had alwHys been tbat
tho great mass of the American peoplt
could be elevated. If all will be elevated
We may become the greatest and most ex,
Alted nation on the earth.
hyhtsie daughters aud sons (said the
speaker) give me your attention while
say, honestly aud truly, that II could in
form you OF somethiug, and put that int
immediate effect, which would tend totht
elevation OF you all, I would be proudei
4 OF it than TO be President forty times
LApplauae Here ID the Executive Man
sion, and yonder is the Capitol. Of q Erea
ustionf and'you look 10 thns6I who max
aud execute the laWsas persons sublim
aud grand. But just think for moment
Yon are the crop behind rs. An thos
buildings, and all Of this government vii
one day pass under your control aud be
come Jour property, and you will have :
put IN force and control the principles c
goVsSpmeHI OF religlon and humanity
. And leI all boys eonsiher-eVsrysmo mother
500 otsthem-C lsughtefl that eaehS one
a born a candidate for The Psesidsncy,-
? Laughter and applause Why not ihel
cOmulen6e At once 70 edncata NnnraaIrr