Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-25


stand befoY youAoday emb rrasssc exceedingly asteD
how the responsibility shall be fulfilled. Her ce the iSs
porance and value OF the encouragement that you give
here to-day. The countenarce teldered me, ard the
support you propose in undertaking so fearless and
responsible as the one in which enter, 10 duly sp
preciatei, for in the midst Of this embarrassment
in the midst Of this great national calamity-n start
ing upon the career must pprsue-the confidence the
countenance the encouragement and the promise that
you will aid the instrument that has been thrown where
be is in the discharge Of his duties Is worth great dea2
TO any one and especially TO myself As remarked hut
short time since, lack Of support may paral the
most courageous but the encoura cement countenes
and support OF an intelligent people is calcMeted to-
make even coward courageous and to win merit II
the discharge Of his duties repest that most faiy
respond to all that you have said and concur mos: y,
especially in the idea that this government has been
sent mission, and that the mission has not been
fulfilled aud that the history Of this country shall dem
onstrate that this nation as it moves along down the
stream of time is to be permanent the (Applause
start, sir-thoughi /, may be considered some
kind of wild enthusiasm or superstitiOn-with the
idea that this government was founded by our IA
theirs upon great principle OF right-that il was
founded upon the principles Of free government proper,
with the essential and leading principles running through
II. II was sent here upon great mission, which has
not yet been fulfilled but in its onward and upward
course II win car out its mission, and esiae-
lsh the great principle of free government not only
here but throughout the civilized world. Applsuse.
believe in the midst Of my superstition, II II may se
called such, or in other words, have a reliance nae
abiding faith that there Is a great principle Of right
which lies al the foundation Of all things believe that
the recipient il has been for considerable length Cd
time Of arts OF science and OF religion from the ether
quarters Of the gle be- and OF emigrants OF every KIND
and Of every complexion will become the rsdiAii1g
point the centre from which will proceed arts science
and religion br, thers through the civilized world
IAppause.l We have been a great mission, and
that mission be fulfilled We look at this gigantic
rebellion and see that the government has struggled u
il and carried il along; and just at the time that
believe and substantially know, that the rebellion was
about 10 be ended, and the nation rejoicing, whh
its banners unfured and its ar ey laundering through
every town and hamlet through the length and breab
of the confederacy then in the midst Of jubant ce
ings and the exutaion OF free people the Chief Mn
gstrae is struck like star from its sphere in death
Here we receive intim ion OF the eternal foin-
ciple tn sen forth this goyernment-the goveInnenS
rejoi,ing the one hand at rebellion crushed and
on the othe. mourning at its chief slain; and though
Presidents may give way in regular succession Still this
government will on. and in the end carry .
Ia great mission among the nations. Applausel can
but say and in saying so is mere Repetition Of uhe
has been expressed before that the time has vita
this government when crime shall be understood. We
are taught in all the States and even in the courts Of the
Uni States that the commission OF varous offences are
crmes Ar,ou is crime, burglary is crime murder II
a crime The time has come when the people shah be
educated and taught 10 understand that treason is
crime (Arplause.) And not only crime but the
iyhes of all crimes. We look upon the assassination
OF the Presdent-this d!abocal and fendish which
has been recently committed-as the highest crime and
the mind clnn co We the penalty commensurate WITH
IT, IL deed for which the human mind cannot invent
penaty severe enough. To assassinate the President
The assassins in the garb and shape OF tTeason hare
lifted their impious against the government unacr
which they live. will say In this connection, in refer
ence as YOU have Just remarked 10 my future policy.
that my past upon various public questions
that have up, and especially since this rebellion
commenced is any indication r evidence to You Of what
my future will be- any professions now must be uKneees
sary So far CARDS my action in the d. % Ton or
winding up Of this great d. ana M p 'au.t be IT,
ken as some indie tiJn Of my future IN he trogrss an
this question in bringing IL to close. when jvss Is
meed out and bee )mes necessary to exer mercy
and enence shall be sure - discriminate and ascer
tain what is mercy, because soretinies mercy nsccgp
ceyed aud exercised Improperly results in ruin Of States
and men II IL ia ryLt I'd proper to take away the life
Of one individual for destroying that OF another what
shall be done with q ose who destroy the life a the
toni Tea on must be InnsEed as the highest crDe
known 10 the law. Some have comm tied tea.on, tech
ncaly speaking Thousands and thousands We baeG ?
taken rcm IN their homes upon one cause or other sos
times by inscription, sometimes by fOfee of public
opinion sometimes m3edby leaders. | wonld say, IN
tile exercise of ercy try to make the proper diserimS
nation visiting the peaat es easjn the conscious,
intelligent m.slt aiding traitor and extending lenieney
TO the great Of the deceived. Applause.) Gen.
tlemen all say, and all can promise you aftsr re-
feringto my past that in ascerts ming what my future.
viii be in tn discharge o my duties in the adAinistra
tion o: the govern rent, all will be done in prope
spirit think, and in accordance with my hest ability
There may he some who would perform those duties
with more signal ability than can but th re is oE0
thing sir Of which assure yol and this ience thai
whatever be the evidence OF my past life, thoaeh
not bring to the administration of this government
that signal ability that might have an honest
will and impul sincere. { pplause.t have labored
the most of my e-yes the vigor and strength or NY
life have been expended in those directions which have
been calculated to brn about the greatest good 70 The
greatest numter. have labored ncessaItly to main
tain and carry out the great idea that government
made for man, and not for the government. ThR
Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sab
hath" toed TO establish aad make that great ide2
permanent and trust and hope that II is permanent
OF will be as permanent as this government. have
lsbored to establish this idea. shan not desist fum
that have labored Z, advance and smeliorate the
With your help as far as in lies in the sdmnstrs
ton Of this government 1t shall he my futrre ohjs.
ledrmsuts nv sincere thanks for the couztenanco sa
enc coura cement rendered this occasion ana NV
that though may not discharge my d1tiF
as some might yet wi do honestly and sncereyy
thank y.a for the kind attention you have paid M
a pplsuse)