The New York herald., 1865-04-25
wv WASHINGTON.
PROCLAMATION BY PRESIDENT JOHNSON
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The 25th Of May Appointed q Day Of
Humiliation and Mourning for the
Death Of Abraham Lincoln.
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Visit of Southern Refugees to
the President.
Their Address and Mr.. JOhnsOn's
Reply.
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Par0led Rebel officers Going
Abroad,
&C., &C.. &c.
The Presidents Proclamation OF Day
OF Humiliation and Mourning.


\ tho wishes Of Senators aud Representatives in
}Congress communicated TO by resolution
adopted the national capital, ], ANDREW JOHNSON
President of the United States do hereby appoint
Thursday, the 25th day Of May next TO be observed
wherever in the United States the flag of the country
may respected day of humiliation and mourning,
and recommend my fellow citizens then to assemble in
their respective places Of worship there to unite in
solemn service to Almighty God in memory of the good
man who has removed that all shall be occupied
at time in contemplation Of his virtues and
row for his sudden and violent end.
In witness whereof have hereuno set my hand, and
caused the seal of the United States to be Affixed
Done at the city of Washington the 25th day Of April
in the year Of our Lord 1865 and Of the ndepen-
dence of the United States Of America, the eighty
ninth ANDREW JOHNSON.
BY the PRESIDENT
W. HUNTER, Acting Secretary Of State.
Visit OF Southern Refugees to the Presi-
dent-Their Address and the President's
Reply.
WASHINGTON, April a. 1865
large number OF refugees from the insurrcctionay
States present Washington called upon President
Johnson this morning, and through Judge Underwood
presented him address. The President was evidently
profoundly moved by this demonstration the part of
those who like himself had personally experienced the
their property and driven from their homes for their
loyalty the constitution and the integrity and existence
Of the nation
ADDRESS TO THE PRESIDENT.
As all whom the room would accommodate
had entered Judge Underwood Of Virginia. stepped for
ward and said:-
Mr.. PREsrDENr-The gentlemen who come with me to
pay their respects to the Chief Magistrate Of the nation
: sexiies for their devotion to the Union and
= the constitution, In defiance OF threats and
Of the saveholdng arisocracy Your
uerances have stirred spirits like the sound Of
trumpet and encouraged the hope that may long
in safety visit desolated farms, and rebuild our
houses in the sunny South We have no feelings but
Whose OF kindness for the people Of section
even for those who by physical or moral cempusion,
by gross deception have been arrayed In against
the government We would not say, with Joshua OF old
Every who rebels shall be put to dealt" " but
the wicked leaders who, thous baled neither
umbled nor subdded; whose arrogance and are
Z las dangerous to us and to the country ever We
nails must be punished The Great Author oil
I nature and providence decrces that those who
isow the wind shall reap the whrlwind Wei
know that go home in safety while traitors
whose hands still dripping with the blood OF
our martyred brothers, remain defiant and gSp-ised
is folly give sugar pums tigers and hyenas II is
than folly to talk Of cemency and mercy to these
than Catallnes for cemency and mercy 10 them Is
cruelty and murder To the innoceat and unborn. III
General Jackson had punished the treason OF Calhoun
we should not have witness d this rebellion II the
guilty leaders OF this rebellion shall properly punished
chidrens children will not be compelled TO look
upon another like 1t for generations BY the blood of
our maryred President by the agonies Of our starved
and mutilatsd prisoners, by the tens of thou
sands SLAM in battle, and the desoations OIL
home and country, and all the waste Of life
/ and treasure for the last four years, with mol
feelings of revenge but In sncerest sorrow pray that
your administration may be both a evil doers
And while we mourn and lament gr and good and
murdered chief too KIND and too ndugent fear for
these stormy times, we thank God for the belief that
knowing the character OF the leaders Of the rebellion as
you do you will so deal with them that whole coun
try will be an asylum for the oppress Of every creed
and every cimehc home of peace, freedom industry
dedication and rcgion-a light and example 10 the
nations OF the whole earth, down long, bright and
!; benelcent future.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
The President then made the following reply
1t Is hardly necessary for this occasion TO say
4 that my sympathes and impulses in connection with
this nefarious rebeion beat in unison with yours
Those who have passed through this bitter ordeal and
who part cpated In IL to great extent compc
tent think, TO judge and determine the true policy
which should be pursued Applause) have but little
say this question In response TO what has been said
II enuncstcs and expresses my feelings the full
extent; and In much better language than at
= the present moment summon TO my aid The most
that i can say IL that, entering upon the duties
that have deyoved upon me under circumstances
that perlous and Responsible and being thrown into
the position now occupy Unexpectedly, In consequence
Of the sad event. the hinous assassination which has
taken place. view Of all that is before and the cir
cumstances that surround mel cannot but feel that your
encouragement and Kindness are peculiarly acceptable
and appropriate. do not think you, who have been "a
mlar with my course-you who are from the South
deem necessary for TO make any professions TO
the future this occasion, TO express what my
course will he upon questions that may arise II my
past life is indication Of what my future will be- my
professions both worthless and empty; and In
turning you my sincere thanks for this encouragement
and sympathy, can only reterae what have said be
FORE and in part what has just been read As far as
cemoncy and mercy concerned and the proper
else Of the pardoning power, l think I understand
the nature and character Of the latter In tho exercise
Of cemency and mercy that pardonng power should be
exercised with caution do not give utierance TO my
opinions this point any spirit OF revenge unknd
feelings Mercy aud ccmency have been pretty large
Ingredients in my compound having been the Executive
Of State, and thereby placed in position In which
have been charged with going too far being too lenien
aud have become satisfied that mercy without justice
are exercised by the Executive IL should always bo
alone is properly exercised that grca. rrerogniivc
this bitter cup are fully aware, when the American
people should be made TO und rsand the true nature OF
a crime--oi crime generally. Our people have high
ment but IN the catalogue OF crimes there Is one, and
that the highest known TO the law and the constitution
OF which, since the days Of Jefferson and Aaron Burr
4 they have become obvious That s-reason. Indeed
4 lone who has become distinguished in treason
and In this rebellion said that "whcn traitors
become numerous enough treason becomes respect
able and TO become n traitor was to constitute
, n portion OF the aristocracy Of tho country -
God protect the people against such aristocracy
Yes, the time has come when the people should be
taught TO understand The length and breadth the depth
and height OF tras0n. An individual occupying the
highest position among us fd that position by
4 the Tree Offering OF the American reopo-the highest
position on the bab table globe THIS we have seen
rcvercd and 0yedone who II he az ALL erred ever
7 on the side OF clemency and mercy That man We have
seen trea un strike through lifting instrument and we
have behold him fail like bright falling from
iis sphere Now there is none but would say, II the
qu iion came up, what should be done with the indi
yiann Who as,a.sinated the chef Magistrate Of The