The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-04-19
WASHING ON.
Important Speech of Plesi-
dent johnson.
Els Policy Towards the Rebels
EorcshadoWed.
Treason is a Crime and Traitors Shall
Suffer Its Penalty,
&C., &c., &c.

OOAOA AtC i
&C.. &c., &c.
WASHINGTON, April IS, 1865.
VISIT OF CITIZENS OF ILLINOIS TO THE PRESIDENT
THEIR ADDRESS AND MR.. JONNSON's REPLY.
In accordance with resolutions passed at meeting Of
|czens OF Illinois, held at the National Hotel yeser
day afternoon the citizens Of that State assembled at
Wizards Hotel preparatory TO paying their respects To
his Exceency Andrew Johnson President Of the United
States. Governor Oglesby, accompanied by Senator
Richard Yates General Isham N Haynie, ex-senator O.
H. Browning Hon. D. s. Phillips, General J. I. Farnes
worth, Hon. Isaac N Arnold, Hon. John Wilson, General
Gamble Colonel John s. LOOMS, Colonel James H.
Bowen, Governor Pickering Of Oregon; General julius
White Hon. J. NJ Hanna, Major 8 WATT Major W. C
Carroll Major p Flynn, and large of citizens
repaired to the OF President Johnson in the Trca
sury Building Governor Ogesby presented the delegs
ton and addressed the President as follows:-
Mr. PREsIDENr-I take much pleasure presenting to
you this delegation Of the citizens of Illinois, represent
ing almost every portion of the state We are drawn
together by mournfu the past few days
give feeble expression TO the feelings we In COM
with the whole nation realize as pressing us to the
EARTH by appropriate and respectful ceremonies. We
thought 1t not inappropriate before should separate,
in this sud hour to seek this interview with your
Excecncy that while the bleeding heart pouring out
its mournfl anguish the death Of beloved late
President the idol Of our State and the pride OF the
whole %sa e. earnestly TO the
abiding confidence in you as the one who,
In these dark hours, must bear upon yourself the
mighty responsibility of maintaining defending and
directing its AFFAIRS In the midst Of this Sadness through
the oppressive gloom that surrounds U.S. look TO you
and to bright future for our country The assassination
Of the President Of the United States deeply dopresses
and seriously aggravates the entire nation But under
blessed constitution does not delay for any great
disoganze threaten its destruction The record
of your whole past fe familiar TO ALL the spend0r Of
your recent gigantic efforts to stay the hand OF treason
and assassination and the lag the uttermost
bounds of tho republic assure that noble State which
represent and, we believe the people Of the United
States, that we may safely trust desnies In your
hands; and this end in the Of the State
Illinois, and, confidently believe, fully and faith
expressing the wishes Of our people to and
pledge TO you the cordial earnest and unremtng pur
poss OF Stats give your administration the strong
support have heretofore given to the administration
Of our lamented late President the policy OF which
have heretofore do and shall continue TO endorse
President johnson replied as follows
PRESIDENT JoHNsoN's SPEECH.
GEyTLKNEN[ have listened with profound emotion to
the kind words you have addressed me The visit Of
this large delegation speak 10 me- through you SIR
these words Of encouragement had not anticipated IN
the midst OF the saddenng circumstances which surround
u.s. and the immense responsibility thrown upon me, an
expression Of the confidence Of individuals and still
more of influential body like that before me- repre-
senng great commonwealth, cheers and strengthens
nv nenViiy Durucneu mlnu am ~ iOss LOT WOrub
respond In hour like this of deepest sorrow,
possible TO embody In words the feeling Of my BOSOM
In could not command my lips TO utter them
Perhaps the best reply / could make, and the
one most rcady appropriate to your kind assu-
RANGES OF confidence would DO to receive them
in silence. (sensation) The throbbngs Of my
heart the sad catastrophe which has appalled, U.S.
cannot be reduced TO words and oppressed with
the new and great responsibility which has devolved
upon me- and saddened with grief with dlculty
respond to you nt ALL But cannot permit such OK
prcssons Of the confidence reposed in by the people
pass without acknowledgment To an individual bkc
myself who has claimed much but who has II In
true, received from generous people many marks Of
trust and honor Cor long time, occasion like this
and manifestation Of public feeling we'll timed are
peculiarly acceptable Sprung from the people my
SELF every pulsation Of the popular heart finds an
Immediate answer in my own. BY many men In
public life such occasions often considered merely
formal To me they arc real Your words OF countc
nance and encouragement sink deep in my heart, and
were l even q coward ! could moi but gather
from them strength carry out my convictions Of right
Thus feeling, shall enter upon the discharge OF my
great duty firmly, steadasty -tapplause) not with
the signal ability exhibited by my predecessor which
still fresh in sorrowing minds. Need repeat thai
no heart feels moro sensiby than mine this greet sc
ton In what say this occasion shall indulge il
no petty spirit Of anger feeling OF revenge. But w
have beheid notable event In the history Of mankind
In the midst Of the American people, whore everj
citizen Is taught to obey law and observe the rules .
Christian conduct our Chief Magistrate the beloved
all hearts, has been sssasslnated; and when wo 'rnc
/ this crime to its cause, when wo remember thu
source whence tho assassin drew his inspiration
} and then look at the result VIC stand yet mor'
astonshed this most bsrbsrous most diaboca
spation Such a crime a the murder Of great ant
good man. honorcd and revcred, the beloved and III,
hope Of the people, springs not alone from solitary In
diydunl OF desperate wickcdness. We can trace
It's course through successive steps, without my
ang them hore, back TO that source which is the sprn
Of all our woes No say that II the perpctrs,o
OF this nencish deed be arrested he should not undcrg
the EXTREMIST penalty the law knows for crime viii
say that mercy should inerpose But he alone guilty
h Here, gentlemen, you perhaps expect to prescn
indication Of my future policy thing Will say
every era teaches s lesson. The times live In arr
4 not withou, nstructIon. The American people must
q taught-H they do not already fee-that treason is
crime and must be punIshed-appausel- ths gov
" eminent will always bear with its enciniesthat u
strong only to protect but to punish Applause
When we turn TO tho criminal code, ard examine Tho ca
u alogue Of crimos, there ind arson laid down as
y crime with Its appropriate penalty. We IND there the
and robbery and murder siven as CRIMES aud there tc
a We ind the last aud highest OF Srsmestreason tAl
& pause) with ether and Inferior offences our people al
familiar But in peaceful hslory treason has bee
almost unknown The people must understand that II
y the BLACKLIST Of crimes, and will he surely purishe,
" lApplause) make this aVdslon not to excite tn
already oxasperstcd feelings Of the public but poll
The principles Of pubvc justice which should gulc
Y our action at this particular aud which