The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-05-09
SPEECH OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
10 the Delegation of Citizens of Illinois at
Washington, april Is 1865.


Washington, april Is 1865.
Gentlemen have listened with profound |
emotion to the kind words you addressed 10 |
me. The visit of the large delegation to
speak to me through you, slr, these words OF
/ had not anticipated. In
the midst of the saddening circumstances
which have surrounded us, and the immense |
thrown upon me, an expression |
of the confidence of individuals, and still more
of an influential body like that before me,
representing the great commonwealth, cheers
and strengthens my heavily burdened mind.
am at loss for words to respond In an hour
like this-of deepest sorrow, Were 1t posi-
bly, to embody the feelings of my bosom. l
could not command my lips to utter them
Perhaps the best reply I could make. and
one most really appropriate to your kino as
surances of confidence, would be to receive
them in silence. The trobbings OF my heart
since the sad catastrophe which has appalled,
US, cannot be reduced to words; and oppres
sed as am with the new and great RESPONSE
bility which has devolved upon, and ssdden
ed with grief, can with difficulty respond to
YOU at all but l cannot permit such express
sions of confidence reposed in me by the peo-
pie to pass without acknowledgement. 10
an individual like myself who has never
elaine much, but who has, it Is true, recelv-
ed from q generous people many marks OF
trust and honor for a long time, an occasion
like this, with manifestations of public feel
ing, so we'll timed, are peculiarly acceptable;
Springing from the people every pulsation OF
the popular heart finds an Immediate answer
in my own.
By many men in public life such occasions
are often considered merely formal. 10 me
UorAa 0f cnuntpnanC0
and encouragement sink deep in my heart,
and were I ever q coward, / could not but
gather from strength to carry out my convio
tions of right, steadfastly, IT not with the
signal ability exhibited by my predecessor,
which is still fresh in our sorrowing minds.
Need I repeat that NO heart feels more censi-
bly than mine this great affection. In what
say on this occasion, l shall indulge In no
petty spirit of anger, no feelings OF revenge
but we have beheld notable event in the
history of mankind; in the midst OF the
American people, where every citizen Is taught
to obey law and observe the rules of christian
conduct, our chief magistrate, the beloved
of all hearts, has been assassinated, and when
we trace this crime to its cause, when we re-
member the source whence the assassin drew
his inspiration: and then look at the result
we stand yet more astonished at this most
barbarous and diabolical assassination. Such a
crime as the murder of great and good man
honored and revered, the beloved and the
hope of the people, springs not alone from q
solitary individual of ever so desperate wick
edness. We can trace it's cause throug b q
succession of steps-without my enumerating
them hele-back to that source which is the
spring of all our woes. No one can say thai
if the parpetrator of this fendish deed be ar
rested he should not undergo the extremes
penalsy the law knows for crime. None vii
say that mercy should interpose. But is h
alone guilty
Here, gentlemen, you perhaps expect me Il
present some indication of my future policy
One thing will say: Every era teaches its les
son. The times live in are not without In
structior. The American people must be laugh
if they do not already feel, that treason Is
crime, and must be punished. That the govern
ment will not always bear with its enemies; tina
it is strong not only to protect, but to punish
When we turn to the criminal code and examin
the catalogue of crimes, we there find arson lait
down as a crime, with its appropriate penalty
We find there theft and robbery and murder Civ
en- as crimes. And there, too, we fEd the las
and highest of crime, treason, with other an
inferior offences.
Our people are familiar that in our peaceful
history treason has been almost unknown. Tn
people must understand that it is the blacklist Q
crimes, and will be severely punished / max
this allusion not to excite the already exasper,
ted feelings of the public, but to point out tn
principles of public Justice and which accord wit
sound public morals. Lett be engrdUsn on eue,.
heart that treason as crime, and traitors shall su1
fdr its penalty.
While we are appalled, and overwhelmed at tn
fall of in our midst at the hands of
traitor, shall we allow men, | care not by wha
weapons, to attempt the life of the state with in
punity While we strain our minds to compre
bend the enormitv of this assassination, shall W
allow a nation to be assassinated speak in n
spirit of unkndness. / leave events of the fl
ture to be disposed of as they arise. Regardin
myself as an humble instrument of the America
people in this as in all things, justice and judgt
men shall be determined by them. | do not hal
Dor bitter or revengeful feelings toward any.
general terms would say that public morals an
public opinion should be established upon sur
and infexible principles of justice. When tn
question of exercising mercy comes before me
will be considered calmly judicially, remember
ing that I am the executive of the nation.
know that men love to have their names spoke
of in connection with acts of mercy and no
easy it is to yield to this impulse But mus
not forget that what may be mercy to an indiyidl
al is cruelty to the state.
In the exercise of mercy there should be n
doubt left that this high prerogatve is not used
that shall not forget that am not to col
suit my own feelings alone but to give an accour
to the whole people.
In regard to my future course will now max
no professions, no pledges. have been come,
ted somewhat actively with public affairs and I
the history of my public acts, which is familia
to you, l refer for those principles, which hav
governed me heretofore and will guide me herea
ter. In general will say / have long lahore
for the the amelioration and elevation of the ma:
of man. ind.
My opinions as to the nature of popular gov
eminent have long been cherished and constit,
ted as am, it is now too late in life for me I
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