American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-04-26
them strength to carry out my convictions

thus feeling, 1 shall enter upon the
discharge of my great duty, firmly and
steadfastly, if not with the signal ability
exhibited by my predecessor, which is still
fresh in our sorrowing minds. Need |
repeat that no heart feels more sensibly
than mine this great affiiction. In what
[ say on this occasion l shall indulge in
no party spirit of anger, no feeling of re-
venge. But we have beheld notable
event in the history of mankind. Int
midst of the American people, where ev-
cry citizen is taught to obey the law and
observe the rules of Christian conduct,
our Chief Magistrate, beloved of all
hearts, has been assassinated and when
we trace this crime to its cause-when we
remember the source whence the assassin
drew his inspiration, then look at the re-
suit, we stand yet more astonished at this
most barbarous, this most diabolical as
sassination. Such crime as the murder
of great aud good man, honored and re-
vered and beloved, and the hope of the
people, springs not at once from solita-
ry individual of ever so desperate wick
edness. We can trace its cause through
successive steps, without my enumeratlng
them here, back to that source which is
the spring of all our woes. No one can
say, that if the perpetrator of this fend-
ish deed be arrested, he should not un-
dergo the extreme penalty the law knows
how for the crime None will say that
mercy should interpose. But is he alone
guilty? Here, gentlemen, you perhaps
expect me to present some indications of
my future policy. One thing | will say,
every era teaches its lesson. The times
we live in are not without instruction.
American people must be taught-if they
do not feel already that treason is crime
and must be punished-that the Govern
ment will not always bear with its enc
mics that it is strongnot only to protect
but to punish. When we turn to the
criminal code and examine the catalogue
of crimes, we there find arson laid down
as a crime with its appropriate penalty !;
we find there theft and robbery and MUIR
der given as crimes, and there too we find
last and the highest of crimes, treason
With other and inferior offences our peo-
pie are familiar. But in our peaceful his
tory treason has been almost unknown
The people must understand than it is
the blacklist of crimes, and will be surely
punished | make this alusion not to
excite the already exasperated feelings of
the public Public justice should guide
our action at this particular juncture, and
it we'll records with sound public morals.
Let it be engraven on every heart that
treason is a crime, and traitors shall suffer
its penalty. While we are appalled, and
overwhelmed at the fall of one man in our
midst by the hand of a traitor, shall We
allow men, l care not by what weapons,
to attempt the life of the State with i'm
punity? While we strain our minds to
comprehend the enormty of this assas-
sination, shall we allow the nation to be
assassinated ? speak in no spirit of
unkindness. | leave the events of the
future to be disposed of as they arise, re-
garding myself as the humble instrument
OF the American people. In this, as in
all things, justice and judgment shall be
determined by them, and do not harbor
bitter or revengeful feelings towards any.
In general terms would say, that pub
lie morals and public opinion should be
established upon sure and infexible prin-
ciples of justice. When the question of
mercy comes before ME, it will be consid-
cred calmly, judiciously. remembering
that am the Executive of the nation.
know men love to have their names
spoken of in connection with acts of mer-
cy, and how easy it is to yield to this i'm
pulse. But we must not forget that what
may be mercy to an individual is cruelty
to the State. In the exercise of mercy
there should be no doubt left that this
high prerogative is not used to relieve a
few at the expense Of many. Be assur-
ed I shall never forget that am not to
consxlt my own feelings alone, but to give
an account to the whole people.
In regad to my future course | will now
make no pledges, have been counec-
ted somewhat active with public affairs,
and to the history of my past public acts,
which is familiar to you, refer for those
principles which have governed me here
tofore, and will guide me hereafter.
In general I will say, that | have long
labored for the amelioration and election
of the great mass of mankind. My opin-
ion as to the nature of popular govern