New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-04-19

our administration the strong support We have hereto
fore given to the administration Of our lancnted late
President the policy OF whom We have heretofore 60
now and she'll continue TO ndorse.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY. .r
| President johnson replied
GENTLEMEN: have listened with profound emotion
10 the kind words you have addressed to me- The visit
this large delegation to speak to me through You sir
hese words Of encouragement had not anticipated
m the midst Of the saddening circumstances
ghich surround u.s. and the immense rcspon.
j ioiy thrown upon me, an expression Of the con.
dence of individuals and still Of an Influential
ody like that before representing great common
wealth, cheers and strengthens my heavily burdened
mind am at loss for words to respond. In al hour
Ike this of deepest sorrow were possible to embOdy
n words the feelings Of my bosom, could not COM
uand my lips to utter them. Perhaps the best reply
,ould make, end the one most readily appropriate
your kind assurances of confidence would be TO re.
ceiye them in silence. Sensation The tbrobbngs Of
ny heart since the sad catastrophe which has appalled,
cannot be reduced TO Words and oppressed as am
With the new and great responsibility which has de.
golved upon me. and saddened with grief can with
difficulty respond to you at ALL But cannot permit
lc expression of the confidence reposed in NE by the
geople to pass without acknowledgment 10 an ird.
iuuhA u1 SELL w nus he'oi S'"A"NN N"'N Wv
Sho has, it is true received from generous
people many marks of trust and honor
for long time. an occasion like this and
manifestation of public feeling wel.timed are pc.
liarly acceptable. Sprung from the people myself
very pulsation of the popular heart finds immediate
lnswer in my own. BY many men in public life such
occasions are often considered merely formal. To
they are real Your words of countenance and enccur
cement sank deep in my heart and were even cow
ard could not but gather from them strength to carry
Jut my convictions OF right Thus feeling shau
enter upon the discharge of my great duty firmly stead
lastly appause if not with the signal ability exhibited
Ny my predecessor which Is still fresh in our sorrcwng
minds. Need repeat that heart feels sens.by
than mine this great aficti0n. In what say this
occasion shall indulge in no petty spirit Of anger 10
ceiling Of revenge. But we have beheld a notable
event in the history of mankind In the midst Of the
merican people, where every citizen is taught 10 obey
sw and observe the rules Of Christian conduct, our
hief Magistrate the beloved Of all hearts has been
issassinated; and when we trace this crime TO its
cause, when we remember the source whence
the assassin drew bis inspiration. and than
ook ate the result we stand yet more as.
onnded at this barbarous most diabolcal assas.
snation. Such crime as the murder of great snd
good man, honored and revered. the beloved and le
nope Of the people springs not alone from solitary
Individual Of ever so desperate wickedness. We can
its cause through successive steps, without my
enumeIatng them here, back TO that which is
the spring Of all our woes. No one can say that
IL the parpetrator Of this fendish deed be
arrested he should not undergo the EXTREMIST penalty
tle law knows for crime, will say that mercy
should interpose But is he alone guityi Here, gen.
emen, you perhaps expect me to present some ndica-
49,, 81 ip y,,. Erar
era teaches its lesson. The times live in are net
without instruction. The American people must be
aught-if they DO not already feel-that treason Is
crime and must be punished appause tbathe Govern.
nent will not always bear with its enemies; that it is
strong, not only to protect bat punish. Aprause]
When we turn 90 the criminal code and
examine the catalogue Of crimes, we there find arson
laid down as crime with its appropriate penalyi We
find there theft and robbery and murder given as
crimes and there too we find the last and highest OF
rApplausel With other aud inferior
offences our people are familiar. But in our peaceful
history treason has been almost unknown. The people
must understand thGt It is the blacklist OF
,rimes, and win be surely punished lApplausel
make this ausion not to excite the already exesper'
,ted feelings Of the public but to point ont the prine
les of public Justice which should guide our acilon al
his particular uUcture, ind which accord WIN souhu
,lblc morals Let be engraven on every hesrt That
eason Is crime and traitors shall suffer its penalty.
A pplousel While we are appalled,. oyerwhe med at
he fan of one man in our midst by the hand Of traitor
hal. We allow men-I care not by what weapons-to
attempt the life Of the State with immunity Whitley We
train our minds 20 comprehend the enormty of this ash
,assiuaon ha we allow the nation to be assassinaed.
Applausel speak in no spirit Of upkindness.
eaye tho events Of the future to be disposed ofas they
arise regarding nv self the humble instrument o.
the American people In this in all things. justice
and Judgment shall be determined by them. do not
harbor bitter or reyengefu feelings towards any. In
general terms would say that public morals and pubic
opinion should be established upon the sure
and infexibe principles Of justice. tApplause.j
When the question Of exercising mercy comes before
me 4 will be considered calmly, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ing that am the Executive of the nation. know men
love TO have their names spoken of In connection with
acts OF merev and how easy it is to yield to this im
mise But we must not forgot that what may be mercy
~ the individual is cruelty TO the State. AppauteI
In the exercise of mercy there should be no doubt s
that this high prerogaye is not used to relieve rev
M the EXPENSE OF the many Be assured that shall
forget that an not to consult my own feelings alone.
but to give au account the whole people lApplause
In regard TO my future VIII now make no pro-
fessions no pledges have been connected somewhat
actively with public affairs and to the history Oh my
past public acts which is familiar to you refer for
those principles which have governed me heretofore.
and will guide me hereafter. In general viii sayI
have long labored for The amelioraion and elevation
of lie great mass OF mankind. Ny oplhiobs
AZ TO the nature Of popular government nave
long been cherished, and, constituted as am, II Is Low
,o late In life for me to change them. believe mat