The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-05-04
STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY, PA MAY L. 1865,

kindness. / leave the events of the flu
ture to be disposed OF as they occur.
Regarding myself as the humble instru
{ ment of the American people, in this as
IN all things, justice and judgment shall
be determined by them. I do not harbor
bitter or revengeful feelings toward any.
In general terms, | would say that pub.
llc morals and public opinion should be
established upon the sure and infexble
principles of justice. Applause. +
When the question of exercising mercy
comes before me it will be considered
calmly and judiciously, remembering that
| am the Executive of the nation. I
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 the individual is cruelty
to the State. [Applause.1 In the e1-
ercise of mercy there should be no doubt
left that this high prerogative is not u.s.
ed to relieve few at the expense of ma
ny. Be assured shall never forget
that | am not to consult my own feelings
alone, but to give an account to the whole
people. [Applause.]
In regard to my future course I will
now make no professions, no pledges
[ have been connected somewhat actively
with public affairs, and to the history of
my past public acts, which is familiar to
you, l refer for those principles which
have governed me heretofore will guide
me hereafter. In general 1 will say
have long labored for the amelioration
and elevation of the great mass of man
kind. My opinions as to the nature of
popular government have long been
cherished, and constituted as l am, it is
now too late in life for me to change them.
[ believe that government was made for
man, lot man for government. [ Applause.
This struggle of the people against the
most gigantic rebellion the word ever saw,
has demonstrated that the attachment of
the people to their government is the
strongest national defence human wis
dom can devise. [Applause]. So long
as each man feels that the interests of the
government are his interests--so long as
the public heart turns in the right direc-
ton, and the people understand and ap-
preciate the theory of cur government,
and love liberty, our constitution will be
transmitted unimpaired. If the time
ever comes when our people shall fail to
defend it, the government will fail, and
we shall cease to be one of the nations of
the earth.
After having preserved our form Of free
Government and shown its power to main
tain its existence through the vieissitudes
Of nearly a century, it may be that it was
necessary for US to pass through this Or
ordeal of intestine strife to prove that
this government will not perish from
internal weakness but will ever stand able
% defend itself against all and to punish
reason. Applause.
In the dealings of an inscrutable Prov
dence, and by the operation of the Con-
l have been thrown into this po-
'itlon. My past life, especially my course
Turing the present unholy rebellion is be-
ore you. l have no principles TO retraet.
I defy any one to point tcary of my public
lcts at variance with the fixed principles
which have guided me through life. [
nave no professions to offer. Professions !
md promises would be worth holding at !
his time. No one can foresee the cir
,umstances that will hereafter arise. Had
my man gifted withprescience, four years
.go, written down in advance the eyerts
If this period, the story would have ap
oeared more marvellous than anything in
he Arabian Nights. shall not attempt
% anticipate the future. As events oc-
,ur and it become necessary for me to
.ct, | shall dispose of each as it arises,
leferring any declaration or message un-
Until it can be written paragraph by /
in the light of events as they |
ranspire.
The members of the delegation were
hen severally introduced to the Presi-
lent fly Gov. OglesbJ.