Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-02-15
PreaSdenf johnson.


We spread before the readers of the Journal to-
day, a report of President Johnsons speech to
the I" Montana" delegation, on Wednesday last
We were just about giving our readers the benefit
of such observations as it suggested to when we
picked up the Richmond Dispatch and found its
comments coincident with own ideas, and
80 forcibly put, that we hope We may be pardoned
for adopting them rerbntim
The late speeches of President johnson to the
citizens of Montana Territory, and the deputation
of Fred Douglass and others, have more of the
cold Roman" about them than any enunciations
which have been heard from the White House for
many years In reading them, we could almost
imagine that Andrew Jackson, whose likeness
hangs in the executive chamber, once more
holding the reins of state and making the whip
crack about the disturbers of the public peace
It is evident that the president has thoroughly
considered his position, that he appreciates its
obligations and responsibilities, and has marked
out his course with equal clearness and determine
ton. He says, indeed, that the declaration of the
great principles of the government announced in
his message to congress twas not the result of
impulse" but "was the result of a thorough and
calm consideration of those great truths which lie
at the foundation of all free governments CATER
having gone so far it is too late for me to turn
and take different direction. They will be my
guide from this time onward, and those who I'M
derstand them may know where shall alwa VS. be
found when principle is involved" To ciinch the
conviction in the public mind that he takes no
step backward, but that he will be governed in
his action by the principles announced in his mes
sage, he declares that his political race is run
that his work is to restore the government, and
not to make combinations with reference to any
future candidacy for the presidency of the United
States. 81 feel that can afford to do right; and
as far as in me lies intend to administer this
government upon the principles that lie at the
foundation of it,
Nothing could be emphatic and signif-
cant than these declarations, nor more manly and
appropriate than the spirit in which they are an
. nounced. It is no ordinary person who thus rises
| to the magnitude of this occasion. He who traces
his career back from the White House to log
cabin demonstrates by such sentiments these
that it was no accident of fortune which bore him
to his lofty elevation. powerful, sagacious, and
practical intellect, and indomitable energy of will,
could alone have achieved such triumph over
adverse circumstances and these qualities SO
distinctly exhibiting themselves in his admins
|
country goes stark raving mad, it will sustain,
without regard to section or party, the principles
which Andrew Johnson announces, and catch the
inspiration of his comprehensive patriotism and
unerring common sense.
Not inferior in Importance to the views contained
in the address to the Montana delegation those
in reply to Douglas Downing and others. They
manifest clearly that the President has no inten-
ton of sanctioning political experiments, even in
| the district of Columbia, which, under the name
of liberty would violate the first principles of
publican government and under the pretence Of
| improving the condition of the emancipated class
es would end in their utter ruin. It is not fol
the government of the United States to change
the franchise" He administers pungent thrust
at the gentlemen of handsomely rounded peri
DDS and rhetorical talk and says that 60 this kind
of theoretical, hollow, impractical friendship
amounts to but very little" He reminds the blacks
that they have gained great deal by the war,
while the white has lost great deal, and that
if one is to be turned loose upon the other at the
ballot-box by forced state of things, driven on
community in opposition to the majority, it can
not but be productive of great disaster It is tc
be hoped that these wise and temperate counsels
will be needed. They come from who il
evidently seeking the best interests of all classes
of the community, and who intends to maintain
those interests to the full extent of the executive
power.
Sunday Railronding.