The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-09-18
SPEECH OF PRESIDENT JOHN
.. SON AT BALTIMORE. y

On, Saturday last the President, in re-
Spouse to Ex-Gov. Bradford, made the fol-
lowing address to the citizens Of Baltimore
and Maryland: -. 10 '',.'
FELnow-CIr1zESs; IN response 10 the intro,
duction and to the Welcome given me here
to-day by your Governor and ExGovcrnor,
who are the representative Of the people OF
your State, will say it is extremely graft.
flying to me. 1t has been my fortune, or
misfortune, scarcely know which, TO have
met with political difficulties ever since my
entrance into public life, but 4 have always
lendeavored to pay all honor and respect to
the high behests Of the American people 81.
though have met with much opposition.
That opposition, however, has never yet dis.
couraged nor deferred me from doing what
honestly believed to be my public duty,
under the Constitution and laws Of the land.
[Applause.] The welcome have met with
at the hands OF these two distinguished ind
viduals, Governors Swami and Bradford
welcoming me on my return TO my public
duties, after long and fatiguing tour
"brief authorities" who, by chance, have
people OF your State, rendered me through
most gratifying, assure you. To be thus
welcomed through them BY you adds but
another proof to my confidence in the great
will Of the people. -
As for the little, petty powers, let me. tell
you care nothing for them, loud applause
and laughter; but such demonstration as
this, by vast assemblage such as ! see be.
fore me, my reception and recognition by
such gentlemen as here represent you, i'm.
press me with confidence in your fidelity to
the cause, as feel assured cannot be affected
by any opposition, great or small. LAP.
plause. II has always been cardinal and
fundamental principle of my creed to ae,
knowledge the will and power of the people
and let me tell you, fellow.countrymcn, that
the time is coming when the great popular
heart Of the people shall be aroused-the
great popular heart Of the nation is even
now being aroused. and ere long it will be
developed on the part OF the great American
people that the Constitution must be re-
spected and the Union re-establshed and
preserved. Repeated cheers. And can
BUT repeat, although there may not be
much Conference in my words, that these
manifestations, in my opinion, are not de-
signed rs complimentary to the individual
now before you, but are exhibitions of ell
thusiastic respect for the Government, ex
pressive of desire for its restoration, and
the maintenance Of the Constitution and the
laws Of the land.
AS far as am oncerned, ! do not claim
it W. an honor to myself | am but the sim
pie instrument in your hands to carry out
the provisions of the Government. have
beon abused and traduced, and have been
called foul whelp Of SIM but let that all
pass. Although not a very old man, have
lived long enough to live down my traducers
heretofore, and / can do so now; and al
though we-none of us-know how long VIC
shall be allowed to live, although we have
no guarantee of any specified time to liye
yet hope to live to see the day when the
usurpation of the Constitution will be put
down. Cheers. believe, first, in the au.
thority Of that mightiest Of all powers, ''the
Almighty" and next to my God / respect
the behests Of the great American people
[cheers, and cries Of God bless you!" and
with their help, and with Gods help, I'll
stand by the Constitution though all else
may perish, cheers; and will here add that
the time has come when you should, one and
all, throw off the shackles that have bound
You to political parties, forget party feeling
and go only for the country. Cheers.
| have been charged with having been dis.
loyal to my party; | have been called a
traitor; 10 voice" It's lie, you're not q
traitor" / have been charged Nllh treason
but let me tell you. and would TO God my
voice could be heard in ever howell thrOup h,
out this land, that il fdenty to the Govern,
ment, fidelity to the laws, and fdelity 10 my
country be trreson to my purity, then | say
lat Marty 90 Loud cheering