The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-06-09
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES TO THE CHILDREN.
A Pleasant Speech Of MIR. Johnson
to the Sunday School Children
at Washington.

D.
at Washington.
The twenty-iifth anniversary of the Wash
ington City Sunday School Union was
celebrated ON Monday, the Goth ult. Five
thousand children and seven hundred teachers
anG Sabbath School officers assembled at an
early hour in Lafayette Square, whence they
marched past the residence of President John
son, corner of Fifteenth and Fl streets The
President appeared at the door of his residence
and was greeted by the children as they passed
While marching by, they sang a patriotic
hymn, "Victory ct last The hstelHgencer
says: f.... - ....... .;
The President was frequently cheered, and
was the recipient of large number of bou-
quets, which were thrown into his hat until it
was so full that basket was brought forth to
contain the floral gifts. After the children had
marched past the residence of the President,
they marched down 18th street and thence to
the White House, after they had assembled, the
President took position in front of the out
side railing and delivered an address. Just be
fore he began to speak, number of little girls
were placed upon the stand beside and around
him, and he seemed much pleased to be sur
rounded by the children.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID TO THE CHILDREN.
The President said if he understood the de-
sign of the exhibition it was intended in part
to show how many children are collected to-
gether in good schools. This was their annual
celebration, and they had come by what was
generally known as the Executive Mansion in
order, he supposed, to manifest their regard
tor the chief executive officer Of the nation.
And this respect was offered now to one who
knew we'll how to appreciate the condition of
poor or obscure children. He had always op.
posed the idea of treating persons beyond
their due, and what they justly merited, and
he would lay that down as O general PROPOSE.
ton In his address 10 the little boys and girls
who had done him the honor to call upon
him. He was opposed to deifying or canoniz.
ing anything that is mortal but there should
always be just and proper respect and appre-
citation of true merit, whether it belongs to the
Christian, the statesman or the philanthropist.
This was the foundation of his creed, if he had
any: that all things should be done with the
approval of Him who controls the events and
destinies Of the world. To these children-he
might say his little sons and daughters-he
would say he desired them to appreciate the
difference between merit and demerit and he
would address bis remarks to those who were
in better, "a well as to those who were in hum
bier circumstances.
would say, do not become foolish and silly be-
cause your parents can afford to dress you o
little better, or to educate you better. They
should feel and know that their parents and
teachers cannot of themselves educate them.
No one would be educated unless he educated
himself Whether you have superior advan-
tages or not, you must educate yourselves.
Parents, teachers and advantages given are
simply the means placed in your hands from
which you must mould and shape your own
course through life. But never feel that you
are superior to your more humble companions
and comrades. Instead of trying to humble
them and make their condition lower, your
pride should be to elevate them to the standard
you occupy. Sometimes one may come in
rags and begrimed with dirt; but beneath
the rags and the dirt jewel may be found as
bright as any yet discovered, and the humble
individual may develop that which would
prove as bright an ornament as the Jewels of
any crowned head. All should understand
this, and that even those who have no means
can at least make an effort to be good and
great: In this matter he (the speaker was an
agrarian-euch an agrarian as would elevate
and estimate all in proportion to their virtue
and merit. Intrinsic merit should be the base
upon which all should stand. He would pull
none down, but would elevate a;l--level up
wards not level dOwnwards. His notion had
always been that the great mass of the Ameri-
can people could be elevated. If all will be
elevated, we may become the greatest and
most exalted natiOnOn the earth.
My little daughters and sons (said the speak.
cry give me your attention while say, honest
~ and truly, that if I could inform YOU of
something, and put that into immediate effect,
which would tend to the elevation of you all,
l would be prouder of 1t than to be President
forty times. Applause. Here Is the Execu-
tive Mansion, and yonder is the Capitol of o
great nation, and you look to those who make
and execute the laws as persons sublime and
grand. But just think for moment. You
are the crop behind us. All those buildings,
and all OF this government will one day pass
under your control and become your property,
and You will have to put in force and control
the principles OF government, OF religion and
humanity. And let all boys consider-every
mothers son of them laughter1 that each
one is born candidate for the Presidency.
Laughter and applause Why not, then,
commence at once TO educate yourselves for
the Presidency? And he would say to the lit.
tie girls, that while they could not be Presi-
dents, they are born candidates for the wives
of Presidents Laughter. While each little
boy may feel he is q candidate for the Preoiden-
cy, each little girl may feel she is candidate
for Presidents wife; and each should CON-
morally, intellectually and socially for such
high positions. While upon this subject he
would say that the teachers occupy most re-
sponsible positions. II is the teacher who
fashions to great degree, the mind Of the
child, and. consequently, the great importance
of having good teachers, especially for the very
young 10 order to instil into their minds the
foundation of a good education.
With regard to religion, the speaker said the
time had come when the first inquiry shonld
be whether one is good man or good wo-
man. If they are good it matters little to what
sect or church they belong There can be no
greatness without goodness; and all should
remember with Pope, that,
Honor and fame from no condition rise.
Act vel your part-there all the honor lea,