Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-04-28
SPEECH OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
His Policy Indicated --- Justice to have it
Course.

His Policy Indicated --- Justice to have its
Course.
A delegation of gentlemen from Illinois,
headed by Gov. Oglesby, called upon President
Johnson, at his rooms in the Treasury building,
on Tuesday, 18th inst. In response to their
address, the President made the following
speech-important as indicating the general
course Of his future policy:
GENTLEMEN-I have listened with profound
emotion to the kind words you have addressed
to me. The visit of this large delegation to
speak to me through you, sir these words of
encouragement, | had not anticipated. In the
midst Of the saddening circumstances which
surround us and the immense responsibility
thrown upon me, an expression Of the conf
dence of individuals, and still more of an in
huential boIy like that before me, representing
the great Commonwealth, cheers and strength
ems my heavily burdened mind. am at loss
for words to respond in an hour like this-of
the deepest sorrow. Were it possible to em-
body the feelings of my bosom, could not
command my lips TO utter them. Perhaps the
best reply | could make, and one most really
appropriate to your kind assurances of conf
dence, would be to receive them in silence
The throbbings Of my heart since the sad cat
astrophe which has appalled, us, cannot be re-
duced to words and oppressed as am with
the new and great responsibility which has de-
volved upon me, and saddened with grief, can
with difficulty respond to you at all but can
not permit such expressions OF confidence re-
posed in me by the people 10 pass without ac
acknowledgement. To an individual like myself
who has never claimed much, but who has, it is
true, received from generous people many
marks of trust and honor for long time, an
occasion like this, with manifestations of public
feeling, so well timed, are peculiarly acceptable.
Springing from the people myself, every pulsa-
tion of the popular heart find. an immediate
answer in my own.
By many men in public life such occasions
are often considered merely formal. To me
they are real. Your words of countenance and
encouragement sink deep in my heart, and were
l ever a coward, could not but gather from
them strength to carry out my convictions of
right, steadfastly, (applause,) if not with the
signal ability exhibited by my predecessor which
is still fresh in our sorrowing minds. Need |
repeat that no heart feels more sensibly than
mine this great afiliction. In what | say on this
occasion, shall indulge in no petty spirit of
anger, no feelings of revenge; hut we have be-
held a notable event in the history OF mankind,
in the midst of the American people where ev-
cry 10 taught " ODS1 anu ODSSINc
the rules of Christian conduct. Our Chief Mag
strate, the beloved of all hearts, has been as
sassinated, and when we trace this crime 10 its
cause, when we remember the source whence
the assassin drew his inspiration, and then look
at the result, we stand yet more astonshed at
this barbarous, most diabolicai assassination.
Such crime as the murder of great and good
man, honored and revered, the beloved and the
hope of the people, springs not alone from
solitary individual of ever so desperate wicked
ness. We can trace its cause through a sue
cession of steps-without my enumerating them
here-back to that source which is the spring
of all our woes. No one can say that if the
perpetrator Of this fiendish deed be arrested he
should not undergo the EXTREMIST penalty The
law knows for crime. None will say that mer-
cy should interpose. But is he alone guilty?
Here, gentlemen, you perhaps expect me to
present some indication of my future policy.
One thing l will say: Every era teaches its
lesson. The times we live in are not without
instruction. The American people must be
taught if they 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 not only to pro-
lect, but to punish. When we turn to the Grim
inal code and examine the catalogue of crimes,
we there find arson laid down as a crime, with
its appropriate penalty. We find there theft
and robbery and murder given as crimes. And
there, too, we find the last and highest of
crimes-treason, (applause,) with other and in
ferior ofenses.
Our people are familiar that in our peaceful
history, treason has been almost unknown. The
people must understand that it is the blackest
of crimes, and will be severely punished. (Ap-
piause.) | make this allusion not to excite the
! alrao1u aA faalinOc nf ,,,,blto hut
to point out the principles of public Justice
which should guide our action at this public
iuncture, and which accord with sound public
morals. Let it be engraved on every heart that
treason is a crime, and that traitors shall suffer
its penalty. (Applause9
While we ore appalled, and overwhelmed at
the fall of one man in our midst at the hands
Of a traitor, shall we allow men. care not by
what weapons, to attempt the life of the State
with impunityP While we strain our minds to
comprehend the enormity Of this assassination,
shall we allow nation TO be assassinatedP
speak in no spirit OF unkndness. leave events
OF the future TO be disposed of as they arise.
Regarding myself as an humble instrument of
the American people in this as in all things,
Justice and judgment shall be determined by
them. do not harbor bitter or revengeful
feelings towards any. In general terms would
say that public morals and public opinion should
be established upon sure and inaexitle princi-
Piles OF justice. (Appause.) When the ques-
ton OF exercising mercy comes before me it
will be considered calmly, judicaly remem-
bering that l am the Executive of the nation.
/ know that men love to have their names
spoken of in connection with acts of mercy, and
how easy il is to yield to this impulse. But we
must not forget that what may be mercy to an
individual is cruelty to the State. (Applause,)
In the exercise of mercy there should be no
doubt left that this high prerogetive is not used
to relieve few at the expense of the many