The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-04-22

SATURDAY, ARK11 - =
Preeaaens ssnnsen - ne lalsnsss
Oo6o1os1o0s 49,
wAsnraron, April 1s.-Gsvssnor
Oglesby, of 1lliaolD, Il introduci1G o.
Illinois dslsgatioa, srsks i high Psaf1s|
Of MI. Linoola, aad ezpge1sD1 II he1o1f
Of the delsealiea ~ fnlsse 80 49, ~
Mr.. Johuson's sbflitise = soddsel ths
aifairs Of the nation, and pledged hin the
earnest support Of his State and the
country.
President Johnson replied:
81 have listened with profound emo.
ton to the words you havs addressed me.
/ had not anticipated, 10 tho midst Of the
saddening circumstances which surround-
ed, and the immense responsibilities that
crowd upon me, the expression Of the
confidence Of individuals, and still more
Of an influential body like that before me,
representing great Commonweaith. Il
strengthens my heavily bur1snsd mind.
in an hour like this Of deepest sorrow
Were it possible to embody in words the
feeling Of my bosom, I could not com.
mand my lips to utter them. Perhaps
the best reply l could make, the one most
appropriate to your kind assurances Of
confidence, would be to receive them in
silence. The throbbings Of my heart
since the sad catastrophe which has ap-
palled US, cannot be reduced to words,
and impressed - / am with the new and
great responsibilities which have devolved
upon me. and saddened with grief, I can
with difficulty respond to you at oil, but
/ cannot permit such expressions of con-
fidence reposed in me By the people to
pass without acknowledgment. To an
individual like myself. who has never
claimed much, but who has, il is true,
received from . generous people many
marks Of trust and honor for long time,
an occasion like this, and . manifestation
Of public feeling 20 we'll timed, are pecu-
liasly acceptable. Springing from the
people myself, every pulsatiou Of the
popular heart finds an immediate answer
In my own. By many men 10 public life
such occasions are often considered mere
ly formal. To me they are real. Your
words of oountenance and encouragement
sink deep in my heart. and we're even O
coward. could but gather from them
strength to carry out my convictions Of
right.
Thus feeling, shall enter upon the
discharge Of my great duty firmly and
steadfastly. if not with the signal abilit,
exhibited BY my predecessor, which j,
still fresh in our sorrowing minds. Ane
repeat that no heart feels more sensibl,
than mine, this great affliction. In wha
/ say on this occasion, shall indulge il
no petty spirit Of anger, no feeling Of re
venge. But We have beheld . notab!,
event in the history Of mankind; in ID,
midst of the American people, wher,
every citizen is taught to obey law an.
observe the rules Of Christian conduct
our Chief Magistrate. beloved of all hearts
has been assassinated; and whom We trac
the crime to its cause-when We remem
Der the source whence the assassin drew
his inspiration. and then look ct the re-
suit. We stand yet more astonished ct thi
most barbarous, most diabolical assassina
ton. Such crime - the murder of ,
great and good man, honored and re
vered, beloved, and the hope Of the peo
pie, springs not from solitary individua
Of even 50 desperate wickedness. We cal
trace its cause through successive steps
without enumerating them here, back 4
that source which is the spring Of Oh ou1
woes. No one can say that, if the per
petrstor Of this 6endish deed should bt
arrested. he should not undergo the ex.
IRENE penalty which the law provides fol-
crime.
While We strain our minds to compre,
bend the enormity of the assassination
shall We allow the nation TO be assassins.
ted? speak in no spirit of unkindness
leave the events Of the future to be dis
posed Of as they arise, regarding myself
as the humble instrument Of the Ameri
can people. In this, o. in all things,
justice and judgment shall be determine
by them. do not harbor bitter or re-
vengeful feelings toward any. In general
terms, would say that public morals and
public opinion should be established upon
sure and inaexible principles of justice.
When the question of exercising mercy
comes before me, it will be considered
calmly, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. that
am the Executive of the nation. know
men love to have their names spoken in
connection with acts Of mercy, and how
easy it is to yield to this impulse, but We
must not forget that what may be mercy
to individuals is cruelty to the State. 10
the exercise of mercy there should be no
doubt left that this high prerogative is
not used to relieve the few at the expense
of the many.
Be assured shall never forget that I
am not to consult my own feelings alone.
but to give an account 10 the whole peo-
pie in regard to my future course. I will
now make no pledges. have been con.
nec.ed somewhat actively with public If.
fairs, and to the history Of my past pub
lilo acts. which 10 familiar 70 Won, / refsr
Zoe Aknan L.