Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-04-28
President Johnson--His Policy.


The following reply of the President to an
address BY delegation of citizens of New
York, is q fair sample of the numerous re-
sponses which he has been making to the vari-
Gus committees and delegations that have call
ed on him to tender their support. All OF Mr..
Johnson's public utterances, since his access
iou to the Executive Char, have been digni-
fed, iudicious, firm, and calculated TO obtain
for him the respect and confidence OF the
people. The President said;
need not say, gentlemen. how deeply grateful
an to you, and the influential and eminent cit
i1ens whom you represent, for the words of en-
couragement and confidence which you have
spoken. Such 8 manifestation Of regard would
at any time be acceptable, but st the present
time il finds in my heart the warmest response
You will not expect Of me, under EXISTING cir
cumstances. any extended declaration OF my
views on public affairs. My past life must be
the guaranty Of my future course. And II on
the principles which have heretofore guidei my
action a. a public man, there Is not found SUI
hcient earnest Of those which, with the 0itss ne
of God. will direct my course IN dealing WIN The
great public questions which are nov coming up
for determination, no profession that ! should
nov make, no declarations Of policy that should
lay down, would command your respect or insure
confidence Yet there are some points which
stand out so prominently that none can hesitate
to Weld ready assent to their force and truth
! Our great and good President has been stricken
down V the hand Of an assassin. Every enc
/ will agree that arson is a crime, and must be
punished No one will deny that murder Is
/ crime and must meet It's Just penalty. All vii
/ concur in awarding 10 the assassin the punish
men OF his crime But if the assassin Of the
| President is not TO escape deserved punishment,
| what shall be done TO those who have aiten pied
| the assassination Of the Republic who have
compassed the life Of the nation? The lesson
must be taught beyond the possibility OF ever
| being unlearned, that treason IS crIme-the
greatest of human crimes. ct, IN exercising the
high prerogatlves which devolve upon me, shall,
| if know myself. temper justice with mercy |
shall not forget however, ! trust. that while the
exercise Of mercy is easy and pleasant. mercy 10
the individual is often a source Of the greatest
misery to the mass Of the people. Every ques-
! ton as il arises must be disposed Of according
10 the circumstances which shall surround It Al
the time The quie; and orderly manner in which
| the hiatus created by the death Of the Chief Mag
istrate Of the Nation. 50 suddenly and by SO ter
rible stroke. has been closed up in the peaceful
working of the Constitution, is q sure guaranty
that the strength and wisdom Of the people and
Of their government will be found equal TO every
| emergency that may arise. Had a"y one, four
| years ago, undertaken to predict the wonderful
events which have happened during the great
| struggle through which We have passed, his ut
| terances would have been clas-et with the Store:
Of tbe Arabian Nights" and the tale OF the
] I So "a.
10 anticipate what may occur In the future. VI
are sustained by an abiding faith in the OWN,
Being. aud by a sure confidence THAI the grea'
trnciples Of government and freedom which
have been vindIcatel by cur success hitherto, vii
be secured and perpetuatei N the midst of al
the vicissitudes through which 10 may be oui
fortune Vet to pass. l thank you gentlemen
again, Tor your kind eIpri ssiors Of confidence
Certain am that while the responsibilities which
devolve on me might have fallen upon many
possessed Of far more ability 10 meet and FUN
them, yet no one can approach them with NOR
sincere desire or more honest determination q
discharge them with a view solely 10 the weltir'
Of the people and the peace and prosperity Of th
Nation.
In answer 10 a committee Of colJred men
who waited upon him on Tuesday, Presiden
johnson spoke as follows
thank you for this interview. receive th'
kindness and honor which you now express {,
me, in the same spirit l would il you were Of an
other class.
need not state TO you my past history. Il l.
well understood by you In It you will End th'
guaranty of my future conduct toward your PEG
pie Where the colored people know me bes
they have confidence in me. No man can charg,
me with having proved false 10 the promises
have made TO any class Of the people ia my pub
he life. ! fear that leading colored men DO moi
understand and appreciate the fact that they
have friends on the south side Of the line. They
have; and they are as faithful aud siaunch rs suy
north Of the line. Il may be very easy thing
indeed popular. 10 be an emancipatioui-t norti
Of the line, but a very different Thing 10 be suct
south OF il. South Of il, il costs man effort
property, and perhaps life. You may expires,
these sentiments, together with NY thanks. t,
the people whom you represent