Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-04-28
President johnson.

There is very general desire to know
something more of the views of President
johnson, on national questions. than was
in possession of the public when called to
assume the difficult position of head of the
nation. Those who have watched his Ca
recr through his long public life. under
stood him to be firm, able, and straight
forward man. But the masses knew but
little of him save only that he is a self
made man. loyal to the core. and possess
ing much spirit and determination. One
of the principal causes, no doubt, Of the
numerous call, upon the President last
week was to give him an opportunity to
shadow forth his views Is to what the pres
ent crisis demands. How shall We treat
the rebels, after we have caught them ! is
one Of the questions Of the hour. Now,
Mr.. johnson gives some wholesome advice
in regard to treason and traitors, which we
shall do we'll to bear in remembrance. He
says:
" herc. Sentletnens you perhaps e4pcct Lue ~
present some indication Of my future policy. One
thing will say. Every era teaches its lesson
The times we live in are not without instruction.
The American people must be tsusht-if they do
not ALREADY -feel-that treason is crime and
must be punished (applause); that the govern
ment will not always bear with its enemies; that
it is strong not only to protect but to punish.
Whom we turn to the criminal codo and examine
the catalogue of crimes, We there ind arson laid
down as q crime with its apprep1kte penalty;
we find there theft and robbery, and murder CIV
en- as crimes; and there, too, We ind the last and
highest OF erimes-treason. (Appiause.) With
other and inferior offences our people are famil.
iar but in our peaceful history treason has been
almost unknown. The people must understand
that it is the blacklist Of crimes and will be sure.
ly punished. (Ap7lause.)
l make this allusion, not to excite tho already
exasperated feelings Of the public, but to point
out the principles Of public justice which should
guide our action at this particular juncture, and
which accord with sound public morals. Let it
crime, and traitors shall suffer its penalty. Gap
pause) While we appalled,, overwhelmed
at the fall Of one man in our midst by the hand
of traitor, shalt we allow men-I care not by
what veapons-to attempt the life Of tho state
with IMMUNITY! While VIC strain our minds to
comprehend the enormity OF this assassination,
shall We allow the nation to be assassinatedI
tho events Of the future to be disposed Of ~ they
arise, regarding myself ~ the humble instrument
Of the American people, In this, as in all things
justice and judgment shall BE- determined By
them. do not harbor bitter or rcvengeful foel-
Jugs toward any. In general terms, would say
| thrt public morals and public opinion should be
| established upon the sare aud inhsxibls- princi.
pies Of justice. (Applause) When the question
| Of exercising mercy comes before me, it will be
considered calmly. judicially, remembering that
am the Executive Of the nation. know tina,
men love to have their names spoken Of in con.
nection with acts Of mercy and how easy it is to
yield to this impulse. But We must not forge,
that what may be mercy TO the individual, i,
else OF mercy. there sa"uld be no doubt left that
the high prerogative is not used to relieve few
at the expense Of the many. DO assured shall
never forget that am not to consult my own feel
| ings a'~ne, but to give an account to the whole
people, Applause.
The above is all any one could ask OF
the President. He still believes that trea-
son is crime, and should be punished
If in the present hour we are to forget the
leaders in the rebellion, and even before
they show any signs Of repentance, we
might as well treat all crimes in the same
lenient way, abolishing jails. prisons, &c
| The President desires that the American
people shall feel that treason is q crime,
and until we do so feel, we shall not be
safe from tho wicked Vaccinations of evil
men.