Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-10-19
spsech OF n Cabinet officer-Chsrac-
sers Of PresIdenf. Lincoln and
Johnson-The Policy OF the Admin.

We have already published that portion Of
Secretary MeCcLLocHs speech at the banqae,
given hin At Fort Wayne. presenting bis views
on the financial aEairs Of tue county. Today
ws give rs poriraiture Of the characters OF Pre-
sruction policy Of the latter Coming from
ihe source il does, the view, are worthy Of con-
sideraiion.
Ma. President: Since paid my last visit to
Fort WayEe, q little less than rear ago, great
events have transpired in the United States. The
sebsilion. although il had received many stag
gefing blows from our gallant soldiers. under
the distinguished Generals whose fame Is world
vide. was then still audscious and defiant. and
although the result might not have been con-
sidered doubtful. the end OF the war seemed not
unlikely ~ be far in the future Eleven months
have passed away, and this great civil war has
been brought 10 q glorious conclusion. The
stars and stripes are again recognized az the
emblem of liberty and union in every part of
our national domain, and more than eight hun
dred thousand loyal men have been mustered out
Of service, and converted from gallant soldiers
into peaceable. law-abding and industrious cit
Eens. The question OF State sovereignty has
been settled By an appeal to arms, and the SOW
ereignty Of the Government under the Constitn-
ton Is established forever. The greatest civil
var that has ever been waged upon the face OF
the earth has been concluded: the most powerful
armies Of modern times have been disbanded /;
and yet civil liberty Is safe and vigorous "a IL
was before the commenced. During the
progress Of the rebellion there has been a strain
upon republican Institutions but they have sus-
tanned IL without the loss of particle OF their
strength State rights aud individual rights
may in some instances. perhaps unnecessarily.
have been invaded; but to-day there ia at the
North no State right snder the Constitution. and
no individual right, which il not much respect
cd and as well established as they were when the
frst gun was fred upon sumpter. Ii Is this fact
which makes our triumph a sublime and greater
triumph than the result OF the war itself But
this IL not all. just at the moment when
the people were rejoicing the fall Of
Richmond and the surrender of the Confederate
armies. the Chief Magistrate of the Nation, the
most beloved and the most trusted % men. fell
by the hands Of an assassin. For moment the
Nation was struck dumb oy the atrocity of the
act and the magnitude of the loss that had been
sustained. As the report flashed over the wires
that the beloved Chief Magistrate of the Nation
ia the midst of the rejoicing over the victory
and the prospect of returning peace, had beer
slain, what heart was there throughout this broad
land which was not filled With anguish and eppre
hension7 what thinking man did not put to him
self tho questions: Can the Republic stand this
unexpected calamity Can popular institu-
lions bear this new tsiAll The anguish remained
and still remains. but tho apprehension existed
but for a moment. Scarcely had the announce
ment been made that Lincoln had fallen, before
10 was followed by the report that the Vice
President had taken the oath of President, and
that the functions of the Government were being
performed as regularly and quietly as though
nothing had happened. And what followed. The
body OF the beloved President taken from
Washington 20 Illinois, through crowded cities
among grief stricken and deeply excited people
mourning rs nc people ever mourned, and moved
as no people ever were moved. and yet there was
no popular violence. no outbreak of popular pas
sion; borne a thousand miles to its last resting
place. hundreds of thousands doing such honor to
the remains as were never paid TO those OF king
or conquerOr: and the public peace. notwith-
standing immense indignation was mixed with
intense sorrow, was In no instance disturbed
Hereafter there will be skepticsm among Us
in regard 10 the wisdom, the excellence and the
power of Republican Institutions There is DC
country upon earth that could have passed
through the trials 10 which tho United States
have been subjected during the past four years
without being broken into fragments.
ANDREW JOHNSON
But you will expect. perhaps. that say some
thing of bis Mr.. Lincoln's) successor. In any
other place and under any other circumstances
should not feel at liberty to make any particular
allusion 10 the President OF the United States
holding as l do seat in his Cabinet. But
knowing that many of you, my townsmen and
neghbors have been OF the opinion that the
settlements of the great questions which would
necessarily come up for settlement at the close
Of the war would require on the part OF the Chic
Magistrate profounder wisdom and a broader
craftsmanship than was required during its con-
tinuance, and that not lev have been deeply
anxious lest Mr. johnson might have been une-
quail TO the prodigious work that has been devol-
we'd upon him, ] feel constrained TO say ths,
there is, in my judgment, no ground for appre-
hsnsion on this subject. Trying and difficult as
is his situation, Mr. johnson is master of it, He
possesses, in an eminent degree the qualities
that At him for the Presidency at the present
time. A Southern man, thoroughly acquainted
with the effect OF slavery upon society, he knows
how to deal with Southern men in their present
circumstances Ardenty attached to Tennessee
the love which he bears to his State is entirely
subordinate TO that which he bears ID the Union
Jealous of State rights, he is equally Jealous OF
the rights OF the General Government. A
radical and incorporating enemy OF MULTI
cation secession and evesy form of disloyalty,
he is equally an enemy TO any measures
which, in his judgment. are calculated. by de
priving the States of their just rights under Tho
Constitution, 10 convert the FeoerAl
into despotism Raised in slave States and unit
recently a STAKEHOLDER, he has never had any
love for slavery, and has always been the oppo-
nent of the aristocracy that was based upon n
By nature and by education, he Is luss the mar
for re establishing the Federal authority over the
recently rebellious States. And he has tskeI
hold of this work With devotion. an energy snC
a prudence that promises the best results. Dc
il q man also, of excellent judgment and great
singleness of purpose Honest himself. he ex-
poets honesty in Others. Although long ia pub
lie life. and a Leading politician of his owr
school, be is in no sense partisan. unassumng
in manners, he il vet self possessed and digni6ed
He listens TO the advice of those in whose judg-
ment be has confidence, but acts upon his own
convictions. and generally according to bis first
Impressions. With great decision of character
no is never hasty in action Stern and unyied
ing in his adherence TO principle aud duty he j.
a man of kindly emotions. Having by his own
indomitable energy fought his way up from
low TO q high estate, he is in hearty sympathy
With those who are trssdng the same upwsrc
path. He is, in a word, clear headed. upright
energetic, self reliant statesman; dlgnihed
courteous and kind hearted gentleman Ri,
administration will be characterized by all tho
force and energy and independence of Jaekson's
with very little OF its partisan characte-.
THE PRESIDENTS KEcoNsTRucTIoS PoLlcr.
Under his direction the great work ofre-estab
Using civil Government at the South under ths
Federal Constitution Is going rapidly forSari-
TOO rapidly. IL seems. according TO the opinion oil
many At the North whose opinions entitled 20
great consideration. | know, sir, that msny