The Columbia daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-05-17

sands and thousands have been taken
from theaf homes upon one cause or
other; sometimes by conscription,
sometimes BY force of public opinion,
sometimes misied by leaders. I would
say, in the exercise Of mercy, try to
make the proper discrimination; visit.
ing the penalties Of treason on. the
conscious, intelligent. misleading trail
tor, and extending .len1ency 20 the
great mass of the deceived. Gep,le>
,nen, all l can say, and al I can pro-
mise you after referring to my past,
that in ascerlaining what my future.
will be in the discharge of my duties
IN the administrator Of the Govern
ment, all will be done in proper
spirit. think, aud in accordance with
my best ability. There may be some
who would perform those duties with
more signal ability than I can; but
there is one thing. sir, of which l
assure. you aud this audience. that
whatever be the evidence Of my past
life. or though I may not bring to the
administration of this Government
that signal ability that some might, T
have All honest will and impulse sin
cere.. have, laboped the most of my
li'e-yes, the vigor aud strength Of
my life have been expended in those
directions which have been calculated
to bring about the greatest good to the
greatest number. I have Iatored in
cessantly to maintain and carry out
the great idea that government was
made for man. and not man for the
Government. The Sabbath was made
tor man, 'and not man for the Sabbath
l toled to establish and make that
great idea permanent; and I trus: and
hope that it is permanent, or will be
as permanent as this Government.
have labored to establish this idea.
shall mot desist from that. | have la.
bored TO advance and ameliorate the
conditiou of the great mass of men,
and, GOD willing, your help, as far as
IN me lies, in the administration of
this Government, it shall be- my future
object Then, gentlemen, and you,
sir, please accept my acknowledge
ments, my sincere tbanq7s, sfor the
countanance and encourage ment rem
derei me on this occasion, and nv
reiteration, that though I may not dis
charge my duties as some might, yet
will | DO SO honestly and sincerely. |
thank you for the kind attention YOU
have paid me.
ANOTHER SPEECH FROM TIE pREs1-
Directly after the delegations had
retired the President received large
number of delegates Of the Christian
Commission, temporarily residing in
Washington. The Rev. Mr.. Borden,
OF Albany, delivered a brief but
eloquent and impressive address, say
ing that they recognized him as called,
IN the Providence Of God, to have
rue over the nation; that IN the past
public services Of the President they
hsd their foundation. Of hope for the
future; and now, rs they looked on
the face of his iilustrious predecessor.
whose death had moved the country
to tears, they believed that God had
sent him, as Moses, to lead the people
and: his successor, as Joshua, to give
them a land of promise; that in the
administration Of justice mercy would
follow the success Of our arms; their
prayer was for an enduring peace and
all the blessings Of free government.
Tie President replied that such
were his feelings. In consequence Of
the late affecting events he could no.