Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-05-05
PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
Another speech bV President JobnsOn--.-
His Response 20 the Loyal southerners


on him on Monday April oath
| It is hardly necessary for me on this occa-
sion to say that my sympathies andimpulses
in connection with this nefarious rebellion
beat in unison with yours. Those who have
1 passed through this bitter ordeal, and who
participated in it to great extent, are more
competent, as think, to judge and determ-
inc the true policy which should be pursued.
4 Applause / have but little to say on this
question in response to what has been said.
1t enunciates and expresses my own feelings
to the fullest extent; and IN much better
language than | can at the present momens
summon to my aid. The most that / can
say is that, entering upon the duties that
have devolved upon me under circumstances
that are perilous and responsible, and being
thrown into the position | now occupy unex-
| pectedly, In consequence OF the sad event,
| the heinous assassination which has taken
| place-in view of all that is before me and
| the circumstances that surround mel cam
not but feel that your encouragement and
kindness are peculiarly acceptable and appro-
| pirate. / do not think you, who have been
| familiar with my course-you who are from
the South, deem it necessary for me to make
| any profession as to the future on this occa-
4 olOll, uUI " AAIGSo NndL lily GOuIEC VIII UC
| upon questions that may arise If my past
| life is no indication of what my future will
| be, my professions were both worthless and
empty and in returning you my sincere
| thanks for this announcement and sympa-
| thy, I cgn only reiterate what | have said
/ before aIad, in part, what has Just been
read. As far as clemency and mercy are
concerned, and the proper exercise of the
| pardoniag power, | think | understand the
nature and character of the latter. In the
exercise of elemency and mercy the par
| doning power should be exercised with eau
ton / tii0 not give utterance to my opin-
ions on this point in any spirit of revenge or
unkind feelings. Mercy and clemeney have
0een pretty large ingredients IN my compo-
sition, having been the Executive Of State,
and thereby placed in position in which it
was necessary to exercise clemency and mer-
ey. / have been charged with gong too far,
being too lenient, and have become satisfied
that mercy without justice is a crime, and
that when mercy and clemency are exercised
by the Executive, it should always be done
in view Of justice, and in that manner alone
is properly exercised that great perogative.
The time has come, as you who have had to
drink this bitter cup are fully aware, when
the American people should be made to un-
derstand the true nature Of crime-of crime
generally, our people have high under
standing, as well as of the necessity for its
punishment; but in the catalogue of crimes
there is one and that the highest known TO
the laws and the Constitution, of which,
since the DAYS of Jefferson and Aaron Burr
they have become oblivious That IS
treason Indeed, one who has become dis
tinguished 10 treason, and in this rebellion
said that when traitors become numerous
enough treason becomes respectable, and to
become trititnrEas TO constitute portion
Of the aristocracy of the country. God
protect the people against such an aristocra-
cy. Yes. the time has come when the peo-
Die should be taught to understand the
'ength and breadth, the depth and hight of
reason. An individual occupying the high
est position among us was lifted to that po-
sition by the free offering of the American
people-The highest position on the habl-
able globe. This man we have seen, revered
md loYed-one who, if he erred at all, err
ID ever on the side of clemency and mercy.
That man we have seen treason strike,
through fitting instrument, and we have
5eheId him fall like a bright star falling
from its sphere, Now, there IS none but
would say, if the question came up, what
hould be done with the individual who as
sassinated the Chief Magistrate Of the ma
tion-he is but a man-one man after all
buf if asked what should be done with the
assassin, what should be the penalty, the
forfeit exacted | know what response
dwells in every bosom. 1t is, that he should
pay the forfeit with his life. And hence we
see there are times when mercy and clemen-
cy, without justice, become a crime The
one should temper the other, and bring
about that proper mean. And If we should
say this when the case was the simple muir
der Of one man by his fellow man, what
should we say when asked what should be
done with him, or them or those who have
raised impious hands to take away the life
of a nation composed of thirty millions of
people? What would be the reply to that
question? But while in mercy we remem-
Der justice, in the language that has been
uttered | say, Justice toward the leaders, the
conscious leaders; but also say amnesty,
Cancellation, clemency, and mercy to the
thousands of our countrymen whom you and
| know have been deceived or driven into
this internal rebellion. And so / return to
where started from, and again repeat, that
it is time our people were taught to know
that treason is crime, not mere political
difference, not mere contest between two
parties, in which one succeeded and the
other has simply failed They must know
it is treason for If they had succeeded the
life Of the nation would have been reft from
1.-THE Union would have been DESTROYED.
Surely the constitution sufficiently defines
| treason. 1t consists in levying war against
the United States, and in giving their enc
mics aid and comfort. With this definition
it requires the exercise of no great acumen
to ascertain who are traitors. 1t requires
no great perception to tell who have levied
war against the United States; nor does it
require any great stretch of reasoning to as
certain who has given aid to the enemies of
the United States and when the Govern
ment of the United States does ascertain
who are the conscious and intelligent trait
ors, the penalty and the forfeit should be
paid. Applause. / know how to appre-
ciate the condition of being driven from
ones home. | can sympathize with him
whose all has been taken from him-with
him who has been denied the place that
gave his children birth. But let us, withaI,
in the restoration Of true Government, pro-
ceed temperately and dispassionately, and
hope and pray that the time viii come, as [
believe, when all can return and remain at
our homes, and treason and traitors be driv-
en- from our land Applause when again
law and order shall reign and the banner of
our country be unfurled over every inch of
territory within the area of the United |
States. Applause. In conclusion, let me
thank you most profoundly for this encour- |
agement and manifestation of your regard |
and respect, and assure you that [ can give |
M nc n.