Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-10-03
Correspondence OF the Freeman.
President Johnson AT Springfield.
SPRINGFIELD, IL, Sept. u, lS6e


FRIEND WILLARD As the freeman on
its weekly visit through the Prairie State
| brings news OF the Union victories q, the bal
lot box, cheering the hearts of all lovers of the
Union, at the West hope to give back
echo OF the same sounds. Our political horl-
zon has been dark and threatening. There
were mutterings of discomfort, indications o.
storm, and rays Of sunshine, all mixed together
chaotic and powerless.
After the Philadelphia Convention the divi-
sion lines were drawn and the people began to
take sides, but that same indicision marked
their way, showing ;he public mind was not
satisfied upon the leading question of the day.
Fortunately for the Union cause new plannet
| (or and oil p..lnet with g new fl .m-,) COM
menced - swinging around the circle of its
orbit, lighting up the dark back grounds and
revealing how the treacherous hand of rebel
lion, guided by blind ambition, was leading
the President from his people and his pace.
| The course of Mr.. Johnson WAS such
through the State that those who doubted be-
fore were decided now. The hungry crowd of
Bread and Butter men, the disloyal men who
fawningly would lick the dust of his feet, were
received into fll! conid ence and fellowship,
while men who had stood firm through the en-
tire war were Denounced as traitors and rebets
The my policy - was the same around
the entirs circle of the ring" and had the Pres
dent attached a few strong luugsd and loud
mouthed men to his train to cheer for my
policy" he might have greatly relieved his re-
porters of creditng him with cheers given for
Grant, from supplying them entire.
His vsi, to this Capitol "a brilliant affair in
the Johnson Press.) was disgusting and ludi-
crous spectacle, fair specimen of his recsp-
ition Vest
The city council having refused to invite Mr..
Johnson to this city, the Mayor, with Maj
General and carload of would be '' satraps,
went to Lincoln, town about thirty miles from
Springfield, intending to attach themselves to
the Presidents train and escort him TO the Cap
tol, but by mistake this was lett,-the
Mayor with his speech in his pocket, the Maj
General and the satraps, men selected tor
office and loud cheering)
On the arrival of the train the Mayor.
speech was wanting, the forces got disorganiz
ed and the Major General was not present to
command, and the expected cheers we're wait
ed for in vain. The President raised his hat
and made his bow and waited for cheers, wher
Grant Grant 4! was called for by the people
The petty Johnson Off ;ials got furious and call
ed for cheers for the President, but three cheer
for Grant satisfied the Presiden, and his friend
t of the sentiment of the people. Thus Was tn,
roicc of the people, and fit rebuke to an as
suming and dictatorial politician, who had ap
:, pealed to them for their decision. The part
8 then visited the tomb of the loved Lincoln, t
n pass the time until the Mayor and his part
I should be present to hear and cheer the oft re
iterated and world renowned my polio
Speech" which like bell capper ding dong
around the entire circle of the ring-afew fair
e cheers were attempted by selected individual
at selected places, but knowing when and wher
+ the cheers would come in it was dull music vi
e til cheer was suggested for Grant, when sue
J. a cheer loyal, law loving and grateful cit
"a z.ns always give its heroes, burst forth from
ir the lips of the people. Grant was welcomed
r az favorite of the people. but this Moses
is Who had sacrificed himself, and poured out b
- life blood 30 freely and often, to become
q savior (of the rebelC was Judas to the Unio
ID patriot and soldier. His swing around Il
circle has made the people wiser. if not th