Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1865-04-26

a
kind assurance of confidence, would be to
receive them in silence. Sensation. The
throbbing of my heart since that cad cat
astrophe which has appalled, us cannot be
reduced TO words ; and oppressed as | am
with the new and great responsibility
which hos dsvolyed upon me, and sadden-
ed with griei, | can with difficulty respond
to YOU all. But cannot permit sush ex'
preston Of the confidence reposed in me
by the people to pass without acknowl-
edgment. 70 an individual like myself
who has never claimed much, but who has,
it is true, received from generous peo-
pie many marks Of trust and honor for n
long time, an occasion like this and a
manifestation Of public feeling SO well-tim-
ed are peculiarly acceptable. Sprung
from the people myself, every pulsation
of the popular heart finds no immediate
answer in my own By many men in pub
lie life such occasions are often considered
merely formal. To me they are real.
Your words of countenAnce aud encour-
agement sink deep in my heart, and were
i even coword could not but gather
from them strength 10 carry out my con-
yic,ions of right. Thus feeling, | shall
entire upon the discharge Of my great du-
ty firmly, steadiasily, applause II not
with the signle ability exhibited by my
predecessor, which is still fresh III our
sorrowing minds. Need repeat that no
heart feels moro sensibly than mine this
great afiiction. In what say on this oc-
occasion shall indulge in no petty spirit
Of anger, no feeling OF revenge but we
have beheld notable event in the histo-
,l.. ,,,tI dat n A
II r--ri-, --i~.o eFery oitiheh 10
taught to obey law and observe the rules
of Christian conduct, our Chief Magistrate,
r the beloved OF all hearts, nss been assassl-
mated and when we trace this crime to
its cause, when we remember the source
whence the assassin drew his inspiration,
and then look at the result, we stand Yet
more as,ounded at this most barbarous,
most diabolical assassination Such a
I, crime as the murder of great and good
, man, honored and revered, the beloved
and the hopo of the people, springs not
alone from a solitary individual Of ever so
desperate wckedness. We can trace its
causes through successive steps, without
my enumerating them here, back TO that
source which is the spring ofall our woes
No one can say that if the perpotrator OF
this tiendish deed be arrested he should
not undergo the EXTREMIST penalty the
r law knows for crime; none will say that
/, mercy should interpose. But Is he alone
guilty Here, gentlemen, yon perhap:
expect me to present some indication
o of my future policy. One thing wilI
say. Every era teaches its lessons. The
times we live in ale not without instruct
r ion. The American people must be taugh
r If they do not already feel-that trea
! son is a crime and must be punished ap
plausel; that the Government will no
always bear with its enemies; that il is
strong, not only 10 protect but to punish
[appluuso When we turn to the crimi
, nal code and examine the catalogue o
! crimes, we there find arson laid down a
-, crime with its appropriate penalty; We
\ find there theft and robbery and murde
: given as crimes; and there, too, we Hn'
=, the last and highest Of crimes-treason
y, IApplause, With other and inferior o.
+ fences our people are familiar. But i
" our peaceful history treason has been a
>, most unknown.-The people most under
y stand that il is the blackest OF crimes, an
y will be surely punished. Applause.
20 .-,aLa ihis allnsinn not-ta sa~taitat jh9. n
= but TO point out the principles of publi
= jnotice which should guide our actions q
:, this particular jurcture, and which accoI
!, with sound public morals Let it be en-
=, craven on every heart that treason is
, crime, and traitors shall suffer its penalty
Applause,
y While we are appalled,, oyerwhelme
>, at the fall Of one man in our mid5t b.
- the hands Of q traitor, shall we allow me
! Il care not by what weapons-to o.
., tempt the life of the State vita impun
. ty? While we strain our mind to CON
!, prehend the enormity of this nssassina
: tion, shall we allow the nation to be ASA.
sinated IApplause speak in no spiri
~, OF unkinduess. leave the events of tn
= future to be disposed of as they arise, re
=, gardiug myself as the humble instrumCn
;, of the American people. In this as in al
+, things, justice end judgement shall be de
y cided by them. do not harbor bitter o
= revengetul feelings toward any. Iu gen
:, eral terms would say that public moral,
+ and public opinion should be estabshe,
! upon the sure and inaexible principles oil
a justice. EApplause. When the question
of exercising mercy comes before me i
! will be considered calmly, judically-re
I memberng that am the Executive o
, the nation. know men love to have
!, their names spoken of in connection with
:, acts OF mercy and how easy it is to yielo
to this impulse. Eut we must not forget
that what may be mercy to the indiydu
, al is crualiy to the State. Applause. Ii
the exercise OF mercy there should be nj
= doubt left that this high prerogative i:
! not used to relieve few at the expense
Of the many. Be assured that | sbal
never forget that am not to consult my
own feelings alone, but to give an accoun
! to the whole people. Applause. In re.
gard to my future course, | will now
T make no professions, no pledges. | have
been connected somewhat actively with
public affairs, and to the history Of m,
past public acts, which is familiar to you
| refer for those principles which hay,
governed heretofore, and will guide m,
hereafter. In general, will say have
Ialz ca,i il,ao al, 4