Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1865-04-17
To ANDREW JOHNSON,
Vice President OF the [. s.

40 ANDREW JOuNSDc,
Vice President of the L. S.
Mr.. johnson requested that the ceremony
| take place at his rooms at the Kirkwond
House in this city, ut 10 o'clock in the morn
ing. Hon. s. p. Chase, Chief Justice of the
United States Supreme Court, was notified
of the fact, and requested to be in attend
ance TO administer the oath at the above
named hour. The following named gentle
men asscmbledin the Vice President rooms
Hon. Hugh McCullocb, Attorney General
Speed, Hon. +. p. Blair, Sr. /; Foote, of Vt.
Yates, Of Ills. Ramsay, of MINI; Stewart,
Of Nevada; J. y. Hale of n H., and Gen.
Farnswbrth. Of Ills.
After the presentation of the above letter
the Chief Justice administered the following
oath to Mr.. johnson
do solcmnly swear that will faithfully
execute the Office of President of the United
States, and will, to the best of my ability,
preserve, protect and defend the Constitution
Of the United States.
After receiving the oath and being declar-
cd President Of the United States, M. John
son remarked
GENTLEMEN IL must be permitted to saw
that have been almost overwhelmed by the
announcement Of the sad event which has so
recently occurred.
i feel incompetent to perform duties so
important and responsible as those which
have been 80 Unexpectedly thrown upon me.
As to an indication Of any policy which may
Ike presented BY me in the administration,
must say that that must he left for develop
ment rs the administration progresses. The
message or declaration must be made by acts
as those transpirc. The only assurance
that can now give of the future is refer.
ence to the past The course which have
taken in the past in connection with this
rebellion mus be regarded as guarantee OF
the future.
My past public life, which has been long
| and laboriOus, has been founded. "a in Onfs1
conscience believe, upon great principie Of
| right which lies at the basis Of all thinps =
The best energies ofmy life have been bent
in cndeavoring TO establish and perpetuatr
the principles OF free government. believe
present perils, will settle down upon nrinc;.
pies consonant with popular rights mora
permanent and enduring than heretofore
l must be permitted to say, if understand
the 1eeiing Of my own heart. l have long la
bored to amelioratc and elevate the condi.
dltion Of the American people. Toll and an
honest advocacy Of the great princinIes 81
free government have been nv lot. The
duties have been mine-the consequences
are Gods. This has been the foundation Of
my political CREED. feel that in the end
the Government win triumph, and that these
great principles will be permanently estaL.
lished.
In conclusion, gentlemen, let me say that l
want your encouragement and countenance.
l shall ask to rely upon you and others in
carrying the Government through its nras.
ent perila | feel inmaking this reo,,est
thss = WI bc heartily responded to bv Won
ana ~ osncr Patriots and lovers of The p s,ss
and Interests re- s e nee peopae. ' : s'':
A. sn rs, oo nsaS o. hie rernatks he n.
! whom he was surrounded. A fsW min,,s! u
were devOted 70 conyerntion, All ves1
: deeply inexperienced WIN - eOlemnity Of ~
: occnsIon. and the rccent sd occurrence ~
: cAnssd N peces1ity fbf " speedy I1augu
: tn1aqn q Pre~de3t was grayely digused.