Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-04-21
LOCAL NEWS.


TIE PRESIDENT AND THE UNION LEAGUE
The committee of the Union League Of New
York waited on President johnson on We'd
Eesday, and presented to him the following
WARRINGTON, d. C., April 10, 1s65.-To the
PTesldent OF the United States :-Sir-Delegatss
rom the Union League Club of New York,
NOT party organization, but united by com
mon principle OF loyalty, we have come to
pay our last tribute OF love and honor to the
memory of Abraham Lincoln. We have come
also TO assure you, as you enter upon your up-
precedented task, that amid every difficulty
and danger, you may rely upon the same N :
wavering support that the loyal citizens whom
ed predecessor.
Unexpectedly placed by Providence in a po-
sition for which the recent past affords no pre-
cedent, since President Lincoln knew not the
lesson taught TO us by his death and by the at
tempted murder of Mr.. Seward, you are called
10 perfect national policy that shall restore
peace ana order to the country, torn by
spirit Of rebellion, which, however vanquished
IN arms, still aims TO harrass and destroy the
republic, on the one hand, by the secret con-
SpiraCleS OF organized assassins, and on the
other, by cunning attempts, under profes.
sion of loyalty, to seize again the reins Of
We are assured, sir, not simply nv vour
words, bnt by what you have practically ac-
compllsned, that you will prove yourself
eauai TO the situation; that you will not shrink
from the duties of the Executive of this ma
lion, however painful. They ask no pledge or
promise other than those offered by Your past
career, especially as Military Governor of Ten
rsssee, which you brought back 10 us free and
loyal.
The American people have entire confidence
that what has been already accomplished by
the sacrifice, from which they had not shrunk,
of their sons and brothers, is not be lost in any
degree by failure on the part of the Govern
ment t. execute sternly the great task of justice
by the exhibition of mercy to criminals, which
may be cruelty to thousands, by any concession
10 what you have denounced as the greatest OF
crimes-treason against the nation. The loyal
people OF New York recognize the fact that upon
all who have encouraged this rebellion OR ex-
tenuated its guilt; upon all who have connived
At the yillainies of the Golden Circle, or be-
sought In the interest of the rebels, foreign In.
Prevention; upon all who have betrayed the
frue-hearted supporters of the Government
the war, with its fearful waste Of blood and
treasure, and Of having encouraged the fiendish
spirit which revenges itself for defeat in the
field by raids on the border, piracies by sea,
riots and arson in our cities, and now by as
sassinations at the national capital
We feel assured that knowing as you do, by
personal observation in your own home, the.
Internal spirit of this rebellion, you will never
reinvest its chief agents with a political con-
troll III the States which they have ruined; that
you Will never permit our loyal countrymen
of the South, nor the new class of citizens Gre
ated by this war, whose fidelity and courage
nave assisted so prominently TO crush the re-
beilicn, TO be punished by subjugati0n to the
very traitors from whose unexampled treason
they have saved the country. The resolution
OF the club that appointed this committee de-
clared unanimously their belief that the assas-
sination of Abraham Lincoln would intensity
the solemn conviction OF the American peo-
pie that the rebellion, and slavery, its cause,
must be terminated by the strong arm or the
land without delay, hesitation or compromise,
IL stantly, absolutely and forever.
In behalf, sir, of our Association and our
selves, we reverently invoke upon your Ad-
ministration the favor OF Heaven. And we
have the honor to subscribe ourselves faith
fully and respectfully, your fellow country
ION yharI
Butler, James W. Beckman, Theodore Roose-
welt, Frank Il Howe, John A. Weehs, George
Cabot Ward, Otis ID. Swan, Parker, Handyi @.
e. Dptmold, Legrande b. Connoyer, Samuel
Wetmore.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
The President replied as follows:
Gentiemen:-In reply to you, and through
you, to the organization which you represent,
i can only sey, as L have said to others, that
your encouragement is peculiarly appropriate
at this time. L have been thrown into the po-
sition l now occupy by circumstances that you
are all familiar with. There has been great
deal done; there is great deal TO do OF COM
pick and difficult character. The circum-
stances which have occurred are saddening TO
us all, and no one appreciates them more deep
ly than do. But just the other day our Presi-
dent was in the midst OF life and the confidence
of his countrymen; now he has been removed
10 that bourne from whence no traveller returns.
Under these circumstances am called to oc-
cupy post of peculiar peril. When we look
at the past, and then turn and try to under
stand the future, we see how much need the
encouragement which you tender in behalf of
those you represent; and if / know myself l
am profoundly grateful for it, and return you
my hearty thanks.
You have referred to my past history and my
come ction with this rebellion. In reference to
that l can only say that the policy which 1
have indicated heretofore will be my guide in
the future. The idea that justice shall be
observed is one which has strongly impressed
me- and must be permitted to remark that the
time has come when the nature OF crime should
be understood in this country, and that, too, by
tions of crimes in the law books, and penalties
are affixed to them. We know that perjury Is
crime, that arson is a crime. We know, too,
that murder is a crime. All these are crimes,
and have penalties affixed. When we look at
the present murder, the present assassination,
and trace IL back TO its source, no one can be
mistaken as to the spirit from which it ema-
mated.
There is no one but would say, in reference
10 the individual who has perpetrated this in
famous, this diab5lical, this barbarous act,
that he must suffer the penalty annexed to the
ofense. Then, If you would say this that the
assassin Of single individual, the murderer
of a single man, must suffer the penalty of
death. what should be inflicted on him who
tries TO assassinate nation, and take away its
life We must consider the nature of the
crime and the demands of justice, and n OF the
misery, woe or ruin of the individual who is
guilty. We must look at it in the exercise and
carrying out OF stern, infiexible Justice. The
son is a crime, the highest of crimes in other
words, that all crimes are submerged in trea-
son. and he who has committed treason has
committed all crimes.
Please accept my thanks, gentlemen, for the
encouragement you have given me, and the aid
you offer. Though the task may be difficult, L
appreciate il, with an honest and sincere reli-
ance on that Power whose guidance in this
struggle is so manifest TO us all No one can
doubt that an oyerrullng Providence has con-
trolled the destinies Of this country. We may
talk OF the ability of men, but the progress Of
this rebellion has shown that they are only in.
struments in the hands of God. If know the
honest impulses OF my heart, when the time
comes to act upon measures that come before
conscientious conviction is worth anything in
the administration of the Government, you
shall have IL. / thank you again, gentlemen,
bear my thanks 10 the organization you repre-
sent.
THE Sons OF TEMPERANCE IN THE Process