Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-28

DENT-THEIR ADDRESS and THE PRESIDENTS
REPLY
A large number Of rfagees from the insurrectonary
states a. present in Washington called upon President
Johnson Monday morning and through Judge Under
wood presented him address The President was ey-
identity profoundly moved by this demonstration on the
part OF those who, like himself had personally expe
renced the deysh atrocity OF the rebellion and had
been robbed Of their property and driven from their
homeslJr their loyalty 70 the constitution and the in
segrty and existence Of the nation.
ADDRESS TO THE PRESIDENT.
As soon as a. whom the room would accomodate had
entered Judge Underwood OF Virginia stepped for
ward and said
Mr. Presdent-The gentlemen who come with me 70
pay their respects 10 tie Chief Magistrate Of the nation
are for the most part eNiies from the Southexes for
their devotion 20 the Union and the constitution in def
ance OF threats and per ecuton Of the sllveholdng ars
tOCacy. Your recent utterances have stirred spirits
Ike the sound Of trumpet and encouraged the hope
.ha: ~ long safety visit desolated farms,
and rebuild our houses in the sunny South We have
no feelings but those OF kindness iOI the common people
Of our secoleyen for those who by physical moral
compusion, or by gross deception have been auayed in
Joshua OF old Every one whe rebels shall be pat TO
death " bu; the wicked leaders who though baf
lied, ri ;her BUNDLED subdued whose arrogance
and treason are as dangerous 70 as and 10 the country
as ever. We thaLk yQu for declaring that these great
criminals must be punished. The Great Author OF
tlre and providence DEGREES thst those who the
wind shall reap the whirwind. We know that can.
not go home in safety while traitors, whose hands
stln dripping with the warm blood of our martyred
brothers, remsin defiant and unpunished. II is
toIy 20 give sugar plums tgers and hyenas. II is
more than folly 70 talk Of clemency and mercy TO these
than CatlineS for clemency and mercy TO them
s cruelty and murder TO the innocent and unborn. If
General Jackson had punished the treason of Calhoun
should not have witnessed this rebellion. If the
guilty leaders of this rebellion shall be properly punish
ed our chdrens children will not be compelled to look
upon another Ike II FOR generations. BY the blood Of
of maryed President by the ones of our starved
and mutlaed prisoners by the tens of thousands slain
in battle and the desolations Of home and uny and
tha last four
with feelings Of revenge but in sincerest sorrow we
pray that your administration may be both
evil doers and protection TO sl who pursue the paths
OF peace And while we mourn and lament our great
auo good and murdered chief, too kind and too indu
gent we fear for these stormy times We thank God for
the belief that knowing the character Of the leaders of
the rebellion you do you will deal with them that
our whole country will be asylum for the oppressed
Of every creed and every cline-the home OF peace
freedom, industry, education and lCgi0n-a light and
an example to the nations of the Whole earth, down
long, bright and benefcent future
TER PEEsIDEsr's REPLY.
The President then made the following reply -
IL hardy necessary for me on this occasion TO saw
shat my synp athies and impulses in connection with
this netarous rebellion beat in unison with yours.
Those who have passed through this bitter ordeal and
who participated in il 20 grest extent more come
tent as think 70 judge and determine the true policy
whIch should be pursued. (Applause) have but tte
70 say this question in response what has been said
Il enun siates and expresses my feelings to the full
ess extent and IN much better language than can at
the present moment summon 70 my aid. The most
that ! can say is that, entering upon the duties
shat have dev0lved upon under circumstances that
are Perlous and responsible and being thrown into the
position now occupy Unexpectedly in consequence of
ne sad event, the heinous assassination which has
taken placein view of all that is before and the
circumstances that surround me- cannot but feel that
your encouragement and kindness are peculiarly accep
table and appropriate. do not think you who have
been familiar with my Course-yOu who are from the
SOuhde it necessary for TO make any professions
TO the future this occasion express what
my course will be upon questions that may arise Ii my
70 I'M hat r.
professions both worthless and empty and in re-
turning you my sincere thanks for this encour
and sympathy can only reiterae what have said be-
fore and, IN part what has just been read As far
clemency and mercy concerned and the proper ex
ercse of the pardonng power think understand the
nature and ch 4racer Of the latter In the exercise of
clemency and mercy tina. hardening mower sbonld ba
exercised with caution do not give utterance to nv
opinions this point in any spirit ofreyenge or unkind
feelings. Mercy and clemency have been pretty large
ingredients in my compound having been the Executive
Of State and thereby placed in position in which it
necessary 10 exercise cemency and mercy. have
been charged with going too lar being too lenient and
have become satisfied that mercy without justice
crime and that when mercy aud clemency exer.
csed the Executive IL should always be done in view
Of Justice, and in that manner alone is properly ex.
eVisad th u great prerOgative. The time has come
a3 yOI who have had 70 drink this bitter cup are
fully aware, when the American people should be
ma ie - understand the true nature Of crime-of
crime generally. Our people have high understand
ln- as well as of the necessity for its punishment
blt in the catalogue Of crimes there is one and that
the highest known 10 the Jaw and tie constitution,
of which since the days Of Jefferson and Aaron Burr
they have become obliyious That is-treason Indeed,
one who has beco ne distinguished in treason and in
this rebellion said that when traitors become numerous
enough treason becomes respectable, and to become
.rator was to constitute portion Of the aristocracy
Of the country" God protect the people against such
an aristocraay Yes, the time has come when the
people should be taught TO understand the length and
brs idth the dep h aud height of treason An indi-
yidual accupying the highest position among Us was
ted TO that position by the free offering of the Ame
can pe1ple-tae highest position the habitable globe
This man we have seen, revered and loYed-one who
if he erred all erred ever on the side of clemency
ara mercy That man we have seen treason strike
though fitting instrument, and have teheld him
fan ike bright star falling from its sphere Now
there is none bu would say, If the question up
what should be done with the individual who assas-
snated the Chief Magistrate Of the naton-he is but
mal-oae man after oil but il asked what should be
done with the assassin what should be the pen Jy the