Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-04-21
Prealdent Johnnon,n pnI,nv.


Tuesday last in Washington, 10 response
to visit from the Illinois delegation, that
seems to have some Significance, as fore.
shadowing a policy towards the leaders of
the rebellion. 1t occupies a column in the
Washington newspapers, but the points
are all comprehended in the following ex-
tract:
In what say on this ccasion shall in.
dulge in no party spirit of anger, no feel.
ing otreveuge. But We have bebeId nc. .
table event 10 the history Of mankind In
the midst CT the American people, where
every citizen is taught 10 obey the law and
observe the rules of Christian conduct, our
Chief Magistrate, beloved of all hearts, has
been asssssinated; and when we trace this
crime to irs Gause-when we remember
source whence The assassin drew bis inspi.
ration, then look at the result, we stand
yet more sstonished at this most barbar-
ous, this most diabolicSl assassination.
Such Q crime as the murder of great and
good man, -hOuored aud repered ano be-
loved, and the hope Of .the people, springs
not at once from q solitary individual OF
ever so desperate wickednsss. We eau
| trace its cause through successive steps,
to that source which ia the sprine of all
our woes. No one can say, that it the
perpetraIor If this fendish deed be arrest
ed, be should not undergo the extreme
penalty the law knows how for the crime
None will say that mercy should
interpose But is he alone guilty L?
Here, gentlemen, you perhaps expect me
10 present some indications of my future
policy. oue thing will say every era
teaches it's Lesson. The times we live in
are not without instruction. American
people must be taught-if they do not feel
already that treason is a crime and must
be puuished-thst the Government will not
always bear With it's enemies; that it is
strong not only TO protect but to punish
When we turn to the criminal code and
examine the catalogue of crimes, we there
nod arson laid down as q crime with its
appropriate penalty; we find there theft
and robbery and murder given as crimes,
and there too we ind last and the highest
of crimes, treason. With other and inferior
offences our people are familiar. But in
our peaceful history treason has been al.
most unknown. The people most under.
stand that It ia the blacklist of crimes, and
will be surely punished. make this alIu.
sion not to excite the already exaeperated
guide our action at this particular iuncture.
and it we'll accords With sound public
morals. Let it be engraven on every heart
that treason is a crime, and traitors shall
suffer it's penaly. While we are appall.
ed aud overwhelmed at the fall of one man
in our midst by the hand of q traitor
shall we allow men, care not BY what
weapons, to attempt the life of the State
with impuniiy7 While We strain our
minds to comprehend the enormity Of this
assassination, shaIlsWe aiIOW the action 70
be assassinated2 speak in no spirit of
unkindaess. leave the ovonTs of the fu
aura to be disposed OF az they arise, regard
ing myself as the humble instrument Of til 70
American people. Is this, as in all things,
justice aud judgement sball be determined
by them, and do not harbor bitter or re-
veugeful feelings toward any.
10 general terms l would say, that pub .
lie morals and pubic opinion should be es.
tablished upon sure and infexible justice.
When the question of mercy comes before
me, it will be considered calmly, judicious.
", remembering that l am the Executive
of the nation. I know men love TO have
their names spoken of in connection With
acts of mercy, and bow easy it is to yield
to this impulse. But we must not forget
that what 10 mercy to an individual is cru
city 10 the State. In the exercise of mercy
there should be no doubt left that this
high prerogatiVe is not used to relieve few
at the expense of many. Be assured I
shall never forget that am not to consult
my own feeliogs alone, but to give an &C.
count to the whole people.