Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-08-20
PRESIDENT JOHNSON'S ADDRESS.

PRESIDENT JOHNSON'S ADDRESS.
che committee appointed by the Philadel-
,aia National Union Convention to wait on
President Johnson laid before him on Saturday
list an Official copy of the proceedings Of the
Convention. The Ilou Rcverdy johnson, as
chairman of the committee Ia an address to
ne President, referred to the spirit Of concord
~rG 5rotherly affection which was manifested
y every member of the Convention. Hespoke
Of the principles announced by the Convention
aaG Of its hearty endorsement of President
.:ohnson's policy, and rendered to him, in the
,aIne OF all the members Of the Convention, as
-:.rances of their cordial and sincere support
&C this President Johnson replied as follows
iir. Chairman and Gentlemen Of the Conn.,
.r,;t;ce: Language is inadequate to express the
emotions and feelings produced by this occasion.
Perhaps | could express more by permitting 81
2rco TO speak and you infer what | ought to
say. I confess that, Notwithstanding the cX
,erience [ have had in public lite, and the au-
(iiences [ have addressed, this occasion and this
essemblage are calculated to, and do overwhelm
ne. As have said, | have not language to
5Jlvey adequately my present feelings and emo
Ions. ~
i: listening to the address which your elo-
auent and distinguished chairman has just de-
::7ered, the proceedings OF the Convention, as
,aey transpired recuTed to mind. Seemingly,
:. oartook of the inspiration that prevailed in
he Convention when [ received dispatch,
salt by two of its distinguished members, con-
ewing in terms the scene which has just been
described, OF South Carolina and Massachusetts,
rm in arm, marching into that vast assemblage,
and thus giving evidence that the two extremes
lad come together again, and that for the tu-
tnre they were uulted, as they bad been 10 the
last, for the preservation OF the Union. w hen
he dispatch intorue ed me that in that vast body
e men, distinguished for intellect and wlsdom
every eve was sufused with tears on behOldng
:he scene, / could not flush reading the dis
3ctch TO one associated with me in the OIL .e,
.yr nv own feelings overcame me. ApplauSe
. :hink We may Justly conclude that we are NOV
:ag under proper inspiration, aud that we need
,ot be mistaken that the finger OF an oVerullng
enc; rnerring Providence is in this matter. The
la;ion is in peril. We have just passed through
mighty, bloody, a mOmentous ordeal, and
vet do not find ourselves free from the Difficult
:iec and dangers that at first surrounded us
While our brave men, who have performed
:her duties, both officers aud men, turning to
General Grant, who stood at his right have
son laurels imperishable, there are still greater
G2G more important duties to perform and
while we have had their co operation in the
;eid, we now need their support in our efforts
e perpetuate peace. Applause. So far as
he Executive Department Of the Government
is concerned, the effort has beeu made to restore
yle Union, to heal the breach, to pour oil into
a5 wounds which were consequent upon the
struggle, and to speak, in common phrase, to
prepare, as the learned and wise physician
?oud, plaster, healing in character and CO.
extensive with the wound, Applause. we
thought, and yet think that we had partially
succeeded; but as the work progressed, as re-
:onc;liation seemed to be taking place, and the
.clntry becoming reunited. we found disturb
;og and marring elements opposing us. In al
!ading to that element, [ shall 60 no further
IAN vour Convention and the distinguished
Gentleman who has delivered to me the report
e. the proceedings. | shall make no reference
o il that do not believe the time and occasion
irstitv. We have witnessed in one department.
G. she Government every effort to prevent the
astoratiou of peace and harmony 10 the Union.
Ne have seen hanging upon the verge OF the
Government, as it were, body called or which
assumes to be the Congress OF the United States.
?he in feet it is Congress of only part or
>le States. We have seen this Congress as
suIne and pretend to be for the Union, when
Is every step and act tended to perpetuatc dis
union and make disruption OF the States IN
oyitabe Instead of promoting reconciliation
aglG harmony, its Legislation has partaken or
Inc character of penalties, retaliation and re-
,aoge. This has been the course and the poll
~ of one portion of your Government.
The humble individual who is now address
:lg you, stands the representative OF another
department of the Government. The manner
!: which he was called upon to occupy that po-
elton shall not allude to on this occaslon.-
Juthce 1t to say, that he is here under the Con
s!ltutlon of the country, and being here by
virtue OF its provisions he takes his siand upon
tlat charter of our liberties as the great ram
pcrt of civil and religious liberty, Prolonged
cheering Having been taught in my early
lite to hold it sacred, and having practised upon
1t during my whole public career, shall ever
continue to reverence the Constitution of my
fathers, and to make it my guide. Hearty
applause
| know it has been said (and must be per-
mitted to indulge in this remark) that the Ex-
ecutiyc Department of the Government has
been despotic and tyrauncal. Let me ask this
audience of distinguished gentlemen around
&c speech | ever made, to single act Of my
whole public life that has not been against
tyranny ana despotism. What position have
- ever occupied, ,woat ground have | ever
assumed where it can be truthfully charged
:aat tailed to advocate The amilioration and
elevation of the great masses Of my country
@len? ICries Of never" and great applause. !
SC isG as charges Of that kind are concerned,
::'Ii say that they are simply intended to de-
:;2ive and deludc the public mind into the
Ha!Iat that there is some one in power who is
c:ESurplng and trampliDg upon the hts of the
CONSTITUTION. 1t is done by those who make
-ach charges for the purpose Of covering their
:-En acts: 'That's so,' and applause |
'iaVe 1elt 1t my duty, in vindication OF prlncl-
PIE and the Constitution of ny country, to
;all tnG attention Of my countrymen to these
proceedings. When we come to examine who
H. u i