Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-08-28
Speech of President Johnson.


In accordance with resolution passed by the
the Convention at Philadelphia, the Nationa
Executive Committee repaired to Washington
City to present to the President an authentica
ted copy Of the proceedings of that body. The
procession which marched to the White House
on this occasion was formed as follows:
In the lead the Executive Committee, then
the delegates of the Convention and then the
citizens generally.
On arrival at the White House, the Commit
tee were admitted to the East Parlour and
ranged in circle in the centre Of the room, af
ter which all those on the outside were admitted
that could get in. The room was soon densey
packed, the only vacant space being that within
the circle formed by the Committee. At a
quarter to one clock the President entered and
took his stand inside the circle before men
toned, surrounded by Secretary Welles, Secre.
tary McCulloch, Secretary Browning, Post
master-General Randall, General Grant, Major
General Rawlings and large number of the
prominent officers of the Government.
All arrangements having been completed
Senator Reyerdy Johnston stepped in front o1
the President and addressed him in an able and
eloquent manner. At the conclusion of his ad.
dress, Senator Reverdy Johnston, as chairman
of the Committee, and in behalf Of the Conven-
ton, presented the President with an authenti-
Gated copy of the proceedings of the Conyen
ton.
AT the conclusion of Senator Johnston's ad.
dress, the President, speaking at first slowly
and in low tone, but growing louder and more
earnest as he progressed, thus replied:
SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Com
mittee Language is inadequate to express the
emotions and feelings produced by this occasion.
Perhaps l could express more by permitting 81
lence to speak and you to infer what | ought to
say. | confess, that notwithstanding the Pc
rience [ have had in public life and the audi
ences / have addressed, this occasion and this
assemblage are calculated to, and do overwhelnl
me- As | have said, have not language to
convey adequately my present feelings and emo
tions.
In listening to the address which your elo-
quent and distinguished chairman has just de-
llvered, the proceedings of the Convention, as
tuCy udilSpiCu, lCCu1lCu W LuO ulIuu. RCCia-
ingly, | partook of the inspiration that pre-
vailed in the Convention when | received dis
patch, sent by two of its distinguished mem
bers, conveying in terms the scene which has
just been described, ofSouth Carolina and Mas
sachusetts, arm in arm, marching into that vast
assemblage, and thus giving evidence that the
two extremes had come together again. and
that for the future they were united, as they
had been in the past, for the preservation OF
the Union. When the dispatch informed me
that in that vast body of men, distinguished fol
intellect and wisdom, every eye was sufused
with tears on beholding the scene. [ could moi
finish reading the dispatch to one associated
with me in the office, for my own feelings over
came me. Applause. [ think we may just
ly conclude that we are moving under proper
inspiration, and that we need not be mistaken
that the finger of an overruling and unerrine
Providence is in this matter. The nation is IL
peril. We have just passed through mighty
a bloody, momentous ordeal, and yet do not
find ourselves free from the difficulties and dan
gers that at first surrounded us. While oul
brave men, who have performed their duties
both officers and men, turning to Genera
Grant, who stood at his right, have won lau
! rels imperishable there are still greater and
more important duties to perform and while
we have had their cooperation in the field, we
now need their support in our efforts to perpet
uate peace Applause. So far as the Exc
cutive Department Of the Government is con
cerned, the effort has been made to restore the
Union, to heal the breach, to pour oil into the
wounds which were consequent upon the strug
gle, and, to speak in common phrase, to pre-
pare, as the learned and wise physician would
a plaster, healing in character and co-extensiye
with the wound. [Applause. We thought
and yet think that we had partially succeeded
but as the work progressed, as reconciliation
coming reunited, we found disturbing and mar
ring elements opposing us. In alluding to thai
element, l shall go no further than your Con
vention and the distinguished gentleman who
has delivered to me the report of the proceed
ings. | shall make no reference to it that dc
not believe the time and occasion justify. W.
have witnessed in one department of the gov
eminent every effort to prevent the restoration
IF cnl bcr tboT T~;o l.