The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-04-26

pOiiCJ ouC tuiuS Uhii oa j. "'"ay
era teaches its lesson. The times we live
in are not without instruction. The
American people must be taught-ifthey
do not already feel-that treason is a
crime and must be punished [applause /;
that the Government will not always bear
with its enemies that it is strong, moi,
only 10 protect but to punish. Applause
When we turn to the criminal code and
examine the catalogue of crimes, we
there find arson laid down as crime
with its appropriate penalty we there
find theft aud robbery and murder given
as crimes and there, too, we find the
last and highest of crimes--treason
T Applause. With other and inferior Of
fences our people arc familiar, But in
our peaceful history treason has been al
most unknown. The people must under
stand that it is the blackest of crimes, and
will be surely punished. [Applause' l
make this allusion not to excite the
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 be en-,
craven on every heart that treason is a
crime, and traitors shall suffer its penalty
T Applause While we are appalled,,
overwhelmed at the fall of one man, 10
cur midst by the hand of traitor, shall
we allow men-I care not by what weap-
ons--to attempt the life Of the State with
Iimpunity? While we strain our minds
to comprehend the enormity of this as
assassination, snail we allow the nation
to be assassinated [Applause.] I speak
lin no spirit Of unkindness. leave the
events Of the future to be disposed of as
they arise, regarding myself as the hum
bic instrument of the American people.
In this, as in all things, justice and judg,
ment shall be determined by them. |
do not harbor bitter or revcngeful feel
ings towards any. In general terms |
would say that public morals and public
opinion should be established upon the
sure and inAexible principles of justice
T Applause When the question of exer-
cising mercy comes before NE it will be
considered calmly, judicially--remember-
ing that am the Executive of the ua-
ton. | know men love to have their
names spoken Of 10 connection with acts
of mercy and how easy it is to yield to
this impulse But we must not forget
that what mag be mercy to the in6ivid-
uaI is cruelty to the State Applause.
In the exercise of mercy there should be
no doubt left that the high p:erogative
is not used to relieve 9 few at the expense
of the many Be assured that shall never
forget that | am Dot to consult my own
feelings alone, but am to give an account
to the whole people. Applause 10 re.
gard to nv future course, | will now
make no professions, 10 pledges. have
been connected somewhat actively with
public affairs, and to the history of my
past public acts, which is familiar to you
[ refer to those principles which have
governed me heretofore, and will guide
me hereafter. In general, [ will say I
have long labored for the amelioration
and elevation of the great mass of man
kind. Ny opinions as to the nature of
popular government have been long cher
ished aud, constituted as | am, it is now
too late in life for me TO change them
[ believe that Government was made for
man, not man for Government. Ap-
plause. The struggle of the people
against the most gigantic Rebellion the
world ever saw has demonstrated that
the attachment Of the people to their
is the strongest national
defense wisdom can devise. Applause.
So long as that each man feels that the
interests of The Government are bis iu-
terests, SO long as the public heart turns
in the right direction, and the people un
derstand and appreciate the theory of our
Government and love liberty, Our Con-
stitution will be transmitted unimpaired.
If the time ever comes wheE the people
shall fail the Government it will fall, and
we shall cease to be one of the nati0Ds of
the earth. After having preserved our
form of free Government, and shown its
power to maiutain its existence through
the vicissitudes of nearly a century, it
may be that 1t was necessary for US to
pass through this last ordeal of intestine
strife to prove that this Government will
not perish from internal weakness, but
will stand to defend itself against all foes
and punish treason. Applause. In the
dealings of an Inscrutable Providence
and BY the operation of the Constitution,
[ have been thrown unexpectedly into
this position. Nly past life, especially
my course during the present nuholy
Rebellion is before you l have no priu.
ciples TO retract defy any one to point
to any of my public acts at variance with
the fixed principles which have guided
me through life | have M professions