The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-04-20
President johnson on the Treatment of
Traitors. n& SEs

Traitors. ~ e#s
A delegation Of leading men from Illinois,
headed by Gov. Oglesby, called upon Presi-
dent johnson at his rooms in the Treasury
building, on Monday last, TO whom Mr.. john
son made an address Of considerable length,
from which we copy the following emphatic
paragraphs:
Here, gentlemen, you perhaps expect me to
present some indication OF my future policy.
One thing 1 will say: Livery era teaches its
lesson. The times we live in are not without
instruction. The American people must be
taught, If they do not already feel, that trea-
son Is a crime, and must be punished; Zap
plause) that the government will not al
ways bear with its enemies that it is strong
not only to protect, but to punish. (Applause.)
When we turn to the criminal code and ex-
anime the catalogue of crimes, we there find
arson laid down as y crime, with its appropri-
ate penalty. We find there theft aud robbery
and murder given as crimes. And there, too,
we find the last and highest crime Of treason,
(applause) with other and inferior offenses.
Oar people know well that 10 our peaceful
history treason has been almost unknown.
The people must understand that it is the
blacklist of crimes, and will be severely pun
isned. (Applause) l make this allusion not
to excite the aireany exasperated feelings OF
the public, but to point out the principles of
public justice, which should guide our action
At this public junctnre, and which accord with
sound pubic morals. Let 1t be engrGpen on
eUery heart that treason. Is crime and trail
torsshGH suffer its penalty. lApplause.)
While we strain our minds 10 comprehend
the enormity OF this assassination, shall we al
low a nation TO be assassinated ? Applause
l speak in no spirit OF unkindness. leave
events of the future TO be disposed of as they
arise. Regarding myself as an humble instru-
ment OF the American people in this, as in all
things, justice and Judgment shall be deter
mined by them. / do not harbor bitter or re-
vengefui feelings toward any. In general
terms would say that public morals and pub
lie opinion should be established upon sure
and infexible principles Of justice. zap
plause.) When the question of exercising
mercy comes before me, it will be considered
calmly, judiciously, remembering that am
the Executive OF the nation. know that
men love to have their names spoken OF in
connection with acts of mercy, aud how easy
1t is to yield to this impulse. But we must
not forget that what may be mercy to an in
dividual is cruelty to the State. Applause
In the exercise Of mercy there should be-
no doubt left that this high prerogatiye is not
used to relieve few at the expense of the
many. b eassured that shall not forget that
l am not to consult my own feelings alone,
but to give an account to the whole people.
(Applause) 10y
Id regard to my future course, will now
make no profession, no pledges. II have been
connected somewhat actively with public al
fairs, and to the history of my public acts,
which isifamilar to3you, refer for those prin-
clples which have governed me heretofore,
and will guide me hereafter. In general,
viii say, have long labored for the ameli-
grafton and elevation of the mass of mans
kind.
Ny opinions as to the nature of popular
government have long been cherished, and
constituted as am,it is now too late in life
for me to change them. believe that govern
ment was made for man, and not man for gov
eminent.
This struggle of the people against the N ,st
gigantic rebellion the world ever saw has de-
monstrated that the attachment of the peo-
pie to their government is the strongest ma
tional defence human Wisdom can devise.
lApplause.) Solong as each man feels thatin-
terest, so long as the public heart turns in the
right direction, and the people understand
and love liberty, our Constitution will be
transmitted unimpaired.
IL the time ever comes when the people
shall fail, the government will fail. and we
shall cease to be one Of the nations of the |
earth. After having preserved our form of |
free government and shown its power to main |
tain Its existence through the vicissitudes OF
OF nearly century, it may be that 1t was ne.
cessary for us to pass through this last ordeal
of intestine strife to prove that the govern
ment will not perish from internal weakness.
but will stand able to defend itself against ali
foes and punish treason.