Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-04-25
Important Speech by President johnson

According to u resolution passed at the meet
ing Of citizens Of Illinois, held a, Washington
the 18th inst. gentlemen from the State Assem-
bIed at Wilard's Hotel, preparatory to paying
their respects to His Excellency Andrew johnson,
President Of tie United States. Governor Og-
lesby, accompanied by Senator Yates, Gen Lay
ME, ex-senator Browning, and large concourse
Of citizens, repaired to the rooms Of President
johnson, in the Treasury building. Governor
OSosby, presented the delegation and addressed
the p esident.
President Johnson replied Gentlemen
have listened with profound emotion to the kind
words you address TO me The visit of this large
delegation to speak to me through you, sir,
these words of encouragement, | had not autici
pated. Ia the ml1s. Of tbs si1denng circum
stances which surround us and the immense rec
possibility thrown upon me, an expression Of
the confi ence Of individuals, and still more OF
an influential body like that before me, repre-
sentlng the great commonwealth, cheers and
strengthens my heavily buriened mind am
at loss Tor words to respond in an hour like
this-of the deepest sorrJw. Were it possible
to embody the feelings OF my bosom could not
command my lips to utter them. Perhaps the
bes. reply | could make, and one most really ap-
proprlate to YOUR kind assurances of confidence,
would be to receive them in silence Sensation. }
The throbbings of my heart since the sad cstas
trophe which has appalled, u.s. cannot be reduced
to words and oppressed as am with the new
an ! great respo' sibllity which has deyolyed up
on me, and saddened with grief, | can with diff
Guilty respond to you at ali but cannot per
init such expressions of conf fence reposcd in me
by the people to pass without acknow Judgement.
10 an individual like myself who has never
claimed much but VINO has, it is true, received
from generous people many marks Of trust
and honor tor long time, an occasion like this,
with manifestations OF public feeling, so we'll
timed, are peculiarly acceptable. Springns from
the people myself every pulsaion ofthe popular
heart finds an immediate answer in my own.
BY many men in public lie such OCCASIONS are
often considered merely formal To me they are
real. Your words of countensnce and encour-
agement sink deep in my heart, and were ever
a coward, | could not but gather from them
strength to carry out my convictions of right,
steadfastly, (applause,) If not with the signal
ability exhibited by my predecessor, which is
still fresh in our sorrowing minis. Need | re-
peat that no heart feels more sensibly than mine
this great affection, 10 what say on this oc-
cason, | shall indulge in no petty spirit of an
ger, no feelings Of revenge; but we have beheld
a notable event IN the history of mankind, ii
the midst of the Americ IN people, where every
citizen is taught.io obey law md observe tht
rules Of Christian conduct Our Chief Magi;.
trdte, the beloved OF all hearts, has been assass
mated, and when we trace this crime to Its cause
when we remember the source whence the assass
in drew his inspiration, and then look at the re
suit we stand yet more astonished at. this most
blrblrous, most diabolcal assassination. Such
a or me az the murder OF great and good man,
honorsd u Id revered thu beloved and the hope
OF the people, springs not alone from a solitary
individual OF ever 81 desperate wlckedness. We
can trace its cause through succession of steps
without my enum rating them here-baek Il
that source which is the spring OF all our woes
No one can say that if the perpetrator OF thi,
hendish deed b. arrested no should not undergo
the extreamsst penalty he law knows for crime
None will say that mercy should interpos,. But
IS he alone guilty.
Hero, gentlemen, you perhaps expect inc tC
present some indication Of my future policy
bho VIII say ANNiI VIA tShNhVS ieo w
son. The times we live in are not without in
struCtiou. The American people must be taught
if they do not already feel that treason IL q
crime and must be punished. Applause That
the government will not always bear with it,
enemies that it il strong not only to protect
but to punish. tApplausc) WIN we turn tC
the criminal code and examine ths catalogue o
crimes, We there find arson laid down as crime
With It's appropriate penalty. We lind Their,
theft and robbery and murder given as crimes
And there, 100, we find the last and highes!
crime of treason, tNpplause) with other and in
lerior offences.
Oar people are familiar that in our peaceful
history treason has been almost unknown. Tn,
people must understand that Il is the bIackes
Of crimes, and will be severely punished ZAP
plause.) make this alusion not to excite tn,
already exasperated feelings Of the public, bu
to point out the principles Of public justic
which should guide cur action at this publi
juncture, AMI which accord with sound publ
morals LET IL be tngrdUm on tpery h,drt ha
treason IS crime, and fr6iisrs shall suffer lis pen
ahy tApplauso.)